[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 3, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E827-E828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2016

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2015

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2578) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, 
     Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2016, and for other purposes:

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak to the 
provisions in the bill related to programs of the National Oceanic and

[[Page E828]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that address the monitoring and 
mapping of our Nation's coastlines. This function is an important 
function for the safety of navigation, environmental protection, and 
homeland security of the United States. There is little dispute that 
important commercial, military, and recreational activities are 
supported by this effort.
  While important across the entire country, I want to address the 
specific needs of my State of Alaska. I understand that there is a 
concerted effort by NOAA to improve sea subsurface surveys. I fully 
support their efforts and applaud them for continuing this important 
work. The safety of navigation for our waterways is extremely 
important.
  However, there is another dimension of survey that needs some 
attention also. Most of the shoreline in the Arctic along Alaska's 
northern and western coasts has not been mapped since 1960, if ever, 
and confidence in the shoreline depicted on the region's nautical 
charts is extremely low. Less than 10% of Alaska has contemporary 
shoreline data and less than 1% is mapped annually. There is also a 
disturbing lack of consistent elevation data.
  The current state of shoreline mapping leaves those who ply Alaskan 
waters and depend on accurate shoreline mapping for their livelihood 
unnecessarily vulnerable. Due to Alaska's vast size and sparse 
population, the cost of acquiring traditional high-resolution 
topographic data and mapping thousands of miles of coastline is a 
daunting endeavor. Alaska has more than 44,000 miles of shoreline, 
which more than doubles the shoreline of the entire lower 48 states. 
Further, the emerging importance of the Arctic is adding to the need 
for updated shoreline charts. Increased economic development and 
shipping transits require that the most accurate data be collected and 
up to date charts be produced.
  As a result, citizens and the State's economy are at risk. In 
addition to understanding sea-level rise impacts on fish and wildlife 
habitat, sea-level rise investigations are also important given that 
three quarters of Alaska's citizens live in coastal regions, which 
support 80% of the state's economic activity. Economic activity in 
Alaska's coastal zones includes world-renowned fish and shellfish 
industries as well as a burgeoning recreation and tourism industry.
  Many approaches are available. Some techniques can be a painstaking 
undertaking due to cost and logistical challenges because of the vast 
area and distances involved. As a result the data collected within 
Alaska can be fairly limited in coverage. Another promising technology 
is the use of satellite remote sensing that can help assist current 
NOAA efforts. The complementary use of optical and radar satellites can 
add a new dimension to remote sensing applications. Within the State of 
Alaska there is an emerging capability using this approach that is cost 
effective and not dependent on weather conditions. This capability 
includes the ability to download data and provide the refined products 
needed to create the needed mapping quickly and cost effectively. I 
understand that NOAA regularly uses both government and commercial 
satellite imagery to support nautical charting in Alaska.
  Regardless of the approach, I want to encourage NOAA to make a 
concerted effort to use funding received to reduce the backlog of 
outdated and uncharted shorelines in Alaska as quickly and cost 
effectively as possible in addition to continuing the important work of 
conducting the sea subsurface surveying. The economic and strategic 
importance of the Pacific Northwest region and the emerging Arctic 
require that this be done.

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