[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 199 (Wednesday, December 21, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S9781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     
     
                              SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
     
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        SENATE RESOLUTION 876--COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
      COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1972, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ``COASTAL 
                              ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT''
     
       Mr. MARKEY submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
     and agreed to:
     
                                   S. Res. 876
     
            Whereas the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 
          1451 et seq.) (commonly known, and referred to in this 
          preamble, as the ``Coastal Zone Management Act'') has 
          empowered the coastal States and territories of the United 
          States to effectively manage the coasts of those States and 
          territories by balancing often competing demands, including 
          population growth, development, industry, energy siting, 
          public access, recreation, tourism, protection, and 
          conservation;
            Whereas the Coastal Zone Management Act establishes an 
          effective State-Federal cooperative structure through which 
          States and territories lead implementation and the National 
          Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides funding and 
          technical support;
            Whereas 34 States and territories have established coastal 
          zone management programs to implement the Coastal Zone 
          Management Act;
            Whereas 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves have been 
          established for the purpose of protecting and studying 
          estuarine systems and educating the public about the 
          important and unique role of those systems;
            Whereas the State and territory coastal zone management 
          programs and the Estuarine Research Reserves have 
          successfully managed the coasts of the United States by--
            (1) providing critical research on coastal and estuarine 
          environments to inform decision-making;
            (2) monitoring changes in water quality and weather 
          processes;
            (3) ensuring that development in coastal areas is wise;
            (4) serving as living laboratories that provide solution-
          oriented collaborative science;
            (5) protecting and enhancing public access to coastal 
          areas;
            (6) protecting, restoring, and enhancing critical coastal 
          habitats;
            (7) educating the public about the importance of coastal 
          and estuarine areas;
            (8) collaborating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
          Administration to educate and train the next generation of 
          coastal and estuarine managers through programs including--
               (A) the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Research 
          Fellowship;
               (B) the Coastal Management Fellowship; and
               (C) the Digital Coast Fellowship;
            (9) training and educating local decision-makers; and
            (10) leading planning and projects to ensure the resiliency 
          of coastal communities; and
            Whereas the Coastal Zone Management Act has proven to be a 
          robust framework that empowers States and territories to 
          meaningfully shape the future of the coasts of those States 
          and territories while providing flexibility to adapt to 
          emerging challenges: Now, therefore, be it
            Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the enactment of 
          the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et 
          seq.);
            (2) applauds the significant achievements in balancing 
          competing demands for development, beneficial use, and 
          protection and conservation of the coastal zone of the United 
          States through implementation of the Coastal Zone Management 
          Act of 1972;
            (3) commends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
          Administration and the coastal States, territories, and 
          Estuarine Research Reserves of the United States for their 
          collaborative efforts and commitment to the effective 
          management of the coasts of the United States for present and 
          future generations;
            (4) recognizes the critical role of the Coastal Zone 
          Management Act of 1972 in addressing current and emerging 
          coastal issues; and
            (5) recognizes that, while the Coastal Zone Management Act 
          of 1972 affords flexibility in implementation, modernization 
          could provide increased authority to--
            (A) ensure equitable benefits from coastal management;
            (B) expand access to coastal management tools for Tribal 
          communities in a manner that values Indigenous knowledge; and
            (C) use land acquisition and stewardship, along with new 
          tools and strategies, to address coastal community 
          resilience.
     
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