[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 2697-2699]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        COASTAL HERITAGE TRAIL ROUTE, NEW JERSEY, AUTHORIZATION

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 171) to authorize appropriations for the Coastal Heritage 
Trail Route in New Jersey, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 171

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 6 of Public Law 100-515 (16 U.S.C. 1244 note) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``$1,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$4,000,000''; and
       (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``five'' and inserting 
     ``10''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from

[[Page 2698]]

Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-
Barcelo) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 171 introduced by my colleague, the gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo), would authorize appropriations for the 
Coastal Heritage Trail Route in the State of New Jersey and also extend 
the authority provided to the Secretary of the Interior when the route 
was initially established in 1988.
  H.R. 171 would continue and complete the cooperative efforts already 
begun by the parties involved by authorizing $4 million to carry out 
the purposes of this act. This bill also authorizes the Secretary to 
continue the authorities established in 1988 for the New Jersey Coastal 
Heritage Trail Route for an additional 5 years.
  This bill has bipartisan support, and I urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 171.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 171, introduced by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo) reauthorizes for 5 years the 
time during which the National Park Service can participate in an 
ongoing public-private partnership to develop a vehicular tour route 
along the New Jersey coastline. Further, the bill raises the existing 
authorization of appropriations to a total of $4 million for trail 
development and interpretation of resources.
  The Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a hearing on 
identical legislation in the last Congress. The administration 
testified in favor of the legislation, and the bill was favorably 
reported to the full committee, but no further action was taken.
  We are aware of no controversy associated with H.R. 171. It has 
bipartisan support, and we urge our colleagues to support the passage 
of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo), the sponsor of this bill.
  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
171, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Reauthorization Act.
  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the gentleman 
from Utah (Mr. Hansen), the chair of the subcommittee, and the 
gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the chair of the full Committee on 
Resources, for their help and cooperation in bringing this important 
legislation to the floor.
  H.R. 171 would extend the authorization of the Trail to provide an 
additional $4 million over 5 years to complete the work that was begun 
in 1988.
  This extension is needed to complete a number of projects such as 
interpretive exhibits, wayside signs and other visitor-related 
services. Simply put, enaction of H.R. 171 will prevent the Coastal 
Heritage Trail from being caught in an unfinished, ``work in progress'' 
condition.
  Legislation establishing the Trail was passed by Congress in 1988, 
thanks to the leadership of Senator Bill Bradley. Its original intent 
was to unify New Jersey's many scenic points of interest along the 
State's Atlantic Ocean, Delaware River and Delaware Bay shorelines.
  These points of interest include a wealth of environmental, historic, 
maritime and recreational sites found along New Jersey's coastlines, 
ranging from Perth Amboy to the north, Deepwater to the west, and Cape 
May in the extreme southern tip of the State.
  The Trail's area includes two National Wildlife Refuges, four 
tributaries of a Wild and Scenic River system, a Civil War fort and 
national cemetery, several lighthouses, historic homes, and several 
other sites tied to southern New Jersey's maritime history. In short, 
Mr. Speaker, the Coastal Heritage Trail incorporates the best of what 
New Jersey has to offer the rest of the Nation.
  More importantly, the completed Trail will stimulate the local 
economy in southern New Jersey by attracting tourists from the entire 
Delaware Valley region. And although the Second Congressional District 
is known for its seaside resort communities, there are a number of 
treasures in Salem, Cumberland and Cape May Counties that the Trail 
will tap into.
  One exciting aspect is its focus on maritime history. There is a rich 
story to be told about the industries once sustained by the Delaware 
Bay, such as whaling, shipbuilding, oystering and crabbing. While we 
often define our Nation's history through military or political 
milestones, the Trail will serve to remind visitors that maritime-
dependent commerce was a major factor in the growth of the United 
States.
  In addition, ``eco-tourism'' along the Coastal Heritage Trail has 
proven to be a huge success. There is an abundant variety of natural 
habitats and species to be found on the Trail. During the springtime, 
for instance, visitors from Heislerville can watch the annual spectacle 
of thousands and thousands of horseshoe crabs returning to lay their 
eggs on the beach. Whale and dolphin watching have become extremely 
popular, and bird lovers from throughout the country, and in fact 
around the world, are realizing what southern New Jersey residents have 
known all along, that our region is unmatched for observing migratory 
birds, ospreys and bald eagles.
  Finally, let me point out to the Members of the House that the New 
Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail is a Federal, State and private 
partnership that works. The Trail has been supported by the New Jersey 
Division of Travel and Tourism, local community groups, nonprofit 
societies and corporate sources.
  Mr. Speaker, far from a new and costly government project, H.R. 171 
represents the kind of program that Congress should be encouraging: 
preservation-minded with the potential for positive economic impact on 
local communities.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to cosponsor H.R. 171 to 
reauthorize New Jersey's Coastal Heritage Trail, and I thank the 
leadership for bringing this bill to the floor.
  For those of my colleagues who have traveled through New Jersey, but 
have not experienced her coastal vitality, I invite and encourage you 
to visit the Coastal Heritage Trail's points of interest in the sixth 
district. Cheesequake State Park offers a variety of outdoors 
activities and facilities from swimming and camping, to hiking trails 
and a nature center. Along the Sandy Hook Bay is the Bedford Seafood 
CO-OP, the oldest fishing port on the East Coast. The Leonardo State 
Marina includes 179 slips and can accommodate boats up to 45 feet in 
length. From Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook, visitors can view Sandy 
Hook Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the New York City skyline. The Sandy 
Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area showcases seven miles of 
ocean beaches, the waters of Sandy Hook Bay, a salt marsh, dunes, a 
maritime forest, and a habitat for migratory shorebirds. The Steamboat 
Dock Museum of the Keyport Historical Society interprets the history 
and maritime traditions of Keyport, which was settled as a private 
plantation in 1714, and became a major port for oystering in the 1830s. 
Finally, Twin Light State Historic Site served as an important maritime 
navigational aid for ships, and hosts one of the original life boat 
stations built by the U.S. government.
  The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail is the result of an innovative 
partnership between the National Park Service, New Jersey's State and 
local governments, and private individuals and organizations. The 
original legislation establishing the trail was enacted in 1988. In 
1944, the trail was reauthorized with a 50 percent match requirement of 
non-federal funds. Since then, the Park Service has matched $1 million 
in federal funding with over $800,000 from other sources.
  The trail is now approximately 50 percent complete. The legislation 
before the House today will increase authorized appropriations for the 
trail from $1 million to $4 million. It will also extend the National 
Park Service's authority to participate in the trail's development for 
five years, from May 1999 to May 2004. This will give the Park Service 
the additional time and funding it needs to complete New Jersey's 
Coastal Heritage Trial.

[[Page 2699]]

  Mr. Speaker, New Jersey's special places are celebrated and protected 
through the Coastal Heritage Trail. I urge the favorable consideration 
of this legislation.
  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. The 
New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail is an important component of the New 
Jersey shore line. It plays a vital role in educating visitors and 
citizens of our state alike that New Jersey is a beautiful and scenic 
place to live and visit. The Coastal Heritage Trail Route gives us the 
opportunity to both preserve and appreciate the beauty of the Jersey 
shore.
  The trail, which begins in Perth Amboy, runs the entire length of New 
Jersey's Atlantic Ocean shore, traversing eight counties. It goes 
through the Pine Barrens, one of the most beautiful sections of the 
Garden State, all the way to the southern tip of historic Cape May. The 
trail then follows the Delaware Bay northward to Deepwater, New Jersey.
  This Trail was first established over a decade ago in 1988. It has 
been a joint effort of the State of New Jersey, the National Park 
Service, and other organizations. Their efforts have provided much 
public appreciation, education, and enjoyment of this scenic and 
natural area of New Jersey.
  The bill before the Congress today will continue these efforts into 
the next century. H.R. 171 extends the New Jersey Coastal Heritage 
Trail's authorization for five years. it will further help to 
strengthen the Trail, by increasing its authorized funding level from 
$1 million to $4 million. I commend my colleague from South Jersey, 
Congressman LoBiondo, for his efforts in this Congress as well as in 
previous years on behalf of the Coastal Heritage Trail. I urge my 
colleagues to vote for this important legislation. Thank you.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, we have no speakers on this issue, 
so we yield back the balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 171.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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