Federal Coastal Zone Management Act Reauthorization Bill Passed by House

April 25, 1996
Contact: Anne Donovan
(617) 727-9530, x411

By a 407 to 0 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Coastal Zone Management Act Reauthorization Bill (H.R. 1965) on Tuesday night. This landslide vote was due in large part to the overwhelming support given to the bill, especially by 20 coastal governors, including Governor William Weld, who wrote letters of support for reauthorization.

"Massachusetts' coastal resources both improve our quality of life and provide significant economic opportunity," explained Governor Weld. "The Coastal Zone Management Act, which gives the Commonwealth funds to manage our coast, clearly provides Massachusetts' taxpayers with valuable returns on their investment. I enthusiastically support reauthorization of this important piece of legislation that continues to protect states' coastal rights and am pleased that the House has passed the bill."

"The main goal of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management program is to protect natural resources in the Commonwealth's coastal zone while promoting responsible economic development," emphasized Trudy Coxe, Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. "The program is currently targeting MCZMA funds toward port and harbor revitalization, coastal water quality, and special coastal area preservation. Reauthorization of the Coastal Zone Management Act is essential to keep our coastal program and these important initiatives on track."

The Coastal Zone Management Act (MCZMA) is voluntary and gives states the funding and the opportunity to develop and maintain their own plans to manage coastal resources. MCZMA also is flexible and enables states to develop programs and plans that meets their specific needs, within the context of their governmental structure. Finally, MCZMA gives states the authority to review federal projects, and projects receiving federal licenses and permits, to ensure that they abide by state laws, regulations, and policies. Clearly, states have an interest in ensuring that these federal projects, such as offshore oil drilling or the construction of the Federal Court House in Boston, meet state standards.

"This is a significant step toward MCZMA reauthorization," explained Peg Brady, Director of Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management (MCZM). "Full reauthorization will allow us to continue to plan our activities for the next three fiscal years and to ensure that we can provide continued service to the coastal communities and citizens that depend on us. We are very pleased with the House vote and are confident that full reauthorization is in reach."

Along with Governor Weld, numerous dedicated groups and individuals from the Massachusetts coastal community have championed reauthorization of MCZMA. For example, George Berkowitz, founder and Chairman of Legal Sea Foods, Inc., and Trudy Coxe, Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, both testified before the House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans to support reauthorization; members of MCZM's Coastal Resources Advisory Board wrote letters and made calls of support; and in particular, the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation aggressively pursued reauthorization on the Hill.