[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 46 (Monday, November 20, 2000)]
[Pages 2867-2868]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Coastal Barrier Resources Reauthorization Act 
of 2000

November 13, 2000

    Today I am pleased to sign into law S. 1752, the ``Coastal Barrier 
Resources Reauthorization Act of 2000.'' This Act reauthorizes and 
amends the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA), which protects lives, 
property, and key coastal barrier habitat by prohibiting Federal 
subsidies for development and disaster relief on many of our Nation's 
coastal barriers.
    First enacted in 1982, CBRA established the Coastal Barrier 
Resources System (CBRS), which includes undeveloped coastal barrier 
habitats along the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes, Puerto 
Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Last year, these coastal barriers were 
renamed the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System in honor of 
the late Senator, who authored the original CBRA and this reauthorizing 
legislation and championed numerous other environmental laws throughout 
his distinguished career of public service. Today, CBRA protects over 3 
million acres of coastal barrier habitat.
    Coastal barriers provide a multitude of services that are 
foundations of a strong economy and healthy environment. For example, 
coastal barriers often help provide the conditions necessary to support 
productive and lucrative fisheries. They also provide essential habitat 
for threatened and endangered species and protect the mainland from 
coastal storms, bearing the full force of storm surge and hurricane-
level winds and shielding the mainland from the severest storm 
conditions. By limiting Federal subsidies such as flood insurance from 
units in the System, CBRA discourages development, keeping lives out of 
harm's way, protecting fish

[[Page 2868]]

and wildlife habitat, and reducing wasteful expenditures of taxpayer 
dollars.
    This Act contains a number of amendments that will improve the CBRS 
and implementation of the CBRA. One provision allows the voluntary 
addition of lands to the System, which could increase the amount of 
coastal barrier habitat protected by CBRA. The Act also codifies a set 
of mapping guidelines, which will help the public understand the 
criteria used to delineate parts of the System. Most significantly, this 
Act recognizes the value that digital mapping techniques can add to 
coastal protection and authorizes a digital mapping pilot program that 
will help integrate the CBRA with Federal, State, and local government 
planning tools.
    Ultimately, I believe this technology will better serve the public 
and protect natural resources.
    Naming the System after Senator Chafee was a fitting tribute to a 
man who worked so hard, and so successfully, to find common ground in 
the struggle to protect and preserve the environment for future 
generations. Senator Chafee was very proud of CBRA, often stating his 
support during hearings of the Senate Committee on Environment and 
Public Works, which he chaired. Given the laudable goals and 
achievements of CBRA, I am pleased that the Congress has reauthorized 
and strengthened the law. This Act reaffirms our Nation's commitment to 
protecting valuable coastal barrier habitat in this new century.
                                            William J. Clinton
 The White House,
 November 13, 2000.

Note: At the time of publication, S. 1752, approved November 13, had not 
been received by the Office of the Federal Register in time for 
assignment of a public law number.