[Pages H9476-H9478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

STRENGTHENING COASTAL COMMUNITIES ACT OF 2018

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill

[[Page H9477]]

(H.R. 5787) to amend the Coastal Barrier Resources Act to give effect
to more accurate maps of units of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier
Resources System that were produced by digital mapping of such units,
and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 5787

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening Coastal
Communities Act of 2018''.

SEC. 2. REPLACEMENT OF JOHN H. CHAFEE COASTAL BARRIER
RESOURCES SYSTEM MAPS.

(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (c), each map
included in the set of maps referred to in section 4(a) of
the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3503(a)) that
relates to a Unit of such System referred to in subsection
(b) of this section is replaced in such set with the map
described in subsection (b) with respect to that Unit.
(b) Replacement Maps Described.--The replacement maps
referred to in subsection (a) are the following:
(1) The map entitled ``Delaware Seashore Unit DE-07/DE-07P
North Bethany Beach Unit H01'' and dated March 18, 2016, with
respect to Unit DE-07, Unit DE-07P, and Unit H01.
(2) The map entitled ``Pine Island Bay Unit NC-01/NC-01P''
and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit NC-01 and Unit
NC-01P.
(3) The map entitled ``Roosevelt Natural Area Unit NC-05P''
and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit NC-05P.
(4) The map entitled ``Hammocks Beach Unit NC-06/NC-06P (2
of 2) Onslow Beach Complex L05 (1 of 2)'' and dated March 18,
2016, with respect to Unit L05.
(5) The map entitled ``Onslow Beach Complex L05 (2 of 2)
Topsail Unit L06 (1 of 2)'' and dated November 20, 2013, with
respect to Unit L05 and Unit L06.
(6) The map entitled ``Topsail Unit L06 (2 of 2)'' and
dated November 20, 2013, with respect to Unit L06.
(7) The map entitled ``Litchfield Beach Unit M02 Pawleys
Inlet Unit M03'' and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to
Unit M02 and Unit M03.
(8) The map entitled ``Fort Clinch Unit FL-01/FL-01P'' and
dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL-01 and Unit FL-
01P.
(9) The map entitled ``Usina Beach Unit P04A Conch Island
Unit P05/P05P'' and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to
Unit P04A, Unit P05, and Unit P05P.
(10) The map entitled ``Ponce Inlet Unit P08/P08P'' and
dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P08 and Unit P08P.
(11) The map entitled ``Spessard Holland Park Unit FL-13P
Coconut Point Unit P09A/P09AP'' and dated March 18, 2016,
with respect to Unit FL-13P, Unit P09A, and Unit P09AP.
(12) The map entitled ``Blue Hole Unit P10A Pepper Beach
Unit FL-14P'' and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit
P10A and Unit FL-14P.
(13) The map entitled ``Hutchinson Island Unit P11/P11P (1
of 2)'' and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P11
and Unit P11P.
(14) The map entitled ``Hutchinson Island Unit P11 (2 of
2)'' and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P11.
(15) The map entitled ``Blowing Rocks Unit FL-15 Jupiter
Beach Unit FL-16P Carlin Unit FL-17P'' and dated March 18,
2016, with respect to Unit FL-15, Unit FL-16P, and Unit FL-
17P.
(16) The map entitled ``MacArthur Beach Unit FL-18P'' and
dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL-18P.
(17) The map entitled ``Birch Park Unit FL-19P'' and dated
March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL-19P.
(18) The map entitled ``Lloyd Beach Unit FL-20P North Beach
Unit P14A'' and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit
FL-20P and Unit P14A.
(19) The map entitled ``Tavernier Key Unit FL-39 Snake
Creek Unit FL-40'' and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to
Unit FL-39 and Unit FL-40.
(20) The map entitled ``Channel Key Unit FL-43 Toms Harbor
Keys Unit FL-44 Deer/Long Point Keys Unit FL-45'' and dated
March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL-43, Unit FL-44, and
FL-45.
(21) The map entitled ``Boot Key Unit FL-46'' and dated
March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL-46.
(22) The map entitled ``Bowditch Point Unit P17A Bunche
Beach Unit FL-67/FL-67P Sanibel Island Complex P18P (1 of
2)'' and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P17A,
Unit FL-67, and Unit FL-67P.
(23) The map entitled ``Bocilla Island Unit P21/P21P'' and
dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P21 and Unit P21P.
(24) The map entitled ``Venice Inlet Unit FL-71P Casey Key
Unit P22'' and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit
P22.
(25) The map entitled ``Lido Key Unit FL-72P'' and dated
March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL-72P.
(26) The map entitled ``De Soto Unit FL-73P Rattlesnake Key
Unit FL-78 Bishop Harbor Unit FL-82'' and dated March 18,
2016, with respect to Unit FL-73P, Unit FL-78, and Unit FL-
82.
(27) The map entitled ``Passage Key Unit FL-80P Egmont Key
Unit FL-81/FL-81P The Reefs Unit P24P (1 of 2)'' and dated
March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL-80P, Unit FL-81, and
Unit FL-81P.
(28) The map entitled ``Cockroach Bay Unit FL-83'' and
dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL-83.
(29) The map entitled ``Sand Key Unit FL-85P'' and dated
March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL-85P.
(30) The map entitled ``Pepperfish Keys Unit P26'' and
dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P26.
(31) The map entitled ``Peninsula Point Unit FL-89'' and
dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL-89.
(32) The map entitled ``Phillips Inlet Unit FL-93/FL-93P
Deer Lake Complex FL-94'' and dated March 18, 2016, with
respect to Unit FL-93, Unit FL-93P, and Unit FL-94.
(33) The map entitled ``St. Andrew Complex P31 (1 of 3)''
and dated October 7, 2016, with respect to Unit P31.
(34) The map entitled ``St. Andrew Complex P31 (2 of 3)''
and dated October 7, 2016, with respect to Unit P31.
(35) The map entitled ``St. Andrew Complex P31/P31P (3 of
3)'' and dated October 7, 2016, with respect to Unit P31 and
Unit P31P.
(c) Limitations.--For purposes of subsection (a)--
(1) nothing in this section affects the boundaries of any
of Units NC-06 and NC-06P;
(2) the occurrence in subsection (b) of the name of a Unit
solely in the title of a map shall not be construed to be a
reference to such Unit; and
(3) the depiction of boundaries of any of Units P18P, FL-
71P, and P24P in a map referred to in paragraph (22), (24),
or (27) of subsection (b) shall not be construed to affect
the boundaries of such Unit.
(d) Conforming Amendment.--Section 4(a) of the Coastal
Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3503(a)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting
``replaced,'' after ``may be''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``replaces such a map
or'' after ``that specifically''.

SEC. 3. DIGITAL MAPS OF JOHN H. CHAFEE COASTAL BARRIER
RESOURCES SYSTEM UNITS.

Section 4(b) of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16
U.S.C. 3503(b)) is amended--
(1) by inserting before the first sentence the following:
``(1) In general.--''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Digital maps.--
``(A) Availability.--The Secretary shall make available to
the public on the Internet web site of the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service digital versions of the maps included in
the set of maps referred to in subsection (a).
``(B) Effect.--Any determination as to whether a location
is inside or outside the System shall be made without regard
to the digital maps available under this paragraph, except
that this subparagraph does not apply with respect to any
printed version of such a digital map if the printed version
is included in the maps referred to in subsection (a).
``(C) Report.--No later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of
2018, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report
regarding the progress and challenges in the transition from
paper to digital maps and a timetable for completion of the
digitization of all maps related to the System.''.

SEC. 4. REPEAL OF REPORT.

Section 3 of Public Law 109-226 is repealed.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Colorado (Mr. Lamborn) and the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hanabusa)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado.

General Leave

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Colorado?
There was no objection.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5787, the Strengthening
Coastal Communities Act of 2018, sponsored by our colleague from
Florida, Congressman Neal Dunn.
This legislation codifies modernized, digital maps under the Coastal
Barrier Resources Act and was developed in a collaborative manner with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Members whose districts are
impacted by the map revisions. Only those maps that received sign-off
from the affected Members were included in this package.
I thank Mr. Dunn, Ms. Blunt Rochester, and all who participated in
this process for their hard work on this important issue.
The Coastal Barrier Resources System has proven to be a win-win for
the

[[Page H9478]]

taxpayers and the environment since its enactment in 1982, saving the
taxpayers billions of dollars by avoiding Federal investment in
undeveloped storm- and flood-prone areas. H.R. 5787 will strengthen and
update this system and allow its success to continue.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5787 and I yield
4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester), my
colleague.
Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to urge my colleagues
to support the passage of H.R. 5787, the Strengthening Coastal
Communities Act of 2018.
Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking Chairman Bishop and Ranking
Member Grijalva for working with myself and Congressman Dunn to quickly
pass this important piece of legislation.
In my home State of Delaware and in communities all over the country,
our beaches and coastlines are critical not only for their
contributions to our economy, but also for their natural beauty. For
too long, those communities were encroached upon by overly ambitious
development. That development was, in part, aided by programs that were
put in place by the Federal Government.
In the 1980s, Congress recognized the burden that development was
placing on local communities and passed the Coastal Barrier Resources
Act. The act ensured that certain coastal areas were removed from the
Federal programs that incentivized increased development.
Through the creation of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources
System, coastal communities across the United States were able to
ensure that their cherished natural heritage was protected and
preserved for generations to come.
As the years passed, the coastal communities across America evolved.
The Coastal Barrier Resources Act should have evolved as well.
Unfortunately, that didn't happen, and it has been far too long since
the maps designating areas belonging to the Coastal Barrier Resources
System were updated. It was through the efforts of the Members of those
coastal communities that this problem was identified.
We are the people's House, and the Strengthening Coastal Communities
Act of 2018 emanated from the thoughts and concerns of everyday
citizens. It was the voice of a Member of my home State of Delaware
that brought the issue to my attention, and I would be remiss if I
didn't recognize him.
Tom D'Amico, the president of the South Shore Homeowners Association,
shared with me just how badly outdated the maps were. Tom and other
coastal Delawareans told me that the only way in which the Coastal
Barrier Resources Act could truly be effective is if the maps
designating the exempt areas were kept up-to-date.
I should also recognize the efforts of my State's senior Senator and
ranking member on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works,
Tom Carper. I know that Senator Carper has been paying very close
attention to this issue, as it has impacted our shorelines for many
years.
Finally, I recognize my friend and gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dunn).
While, initially, Members from many States had introduced legislation
updating maps for their individual States, it became clear that one
bill that would update all the maps across the country would be the
most effective and efficient way to accomplish our goals. When I came
to Congress, I made a promise to the people of Delaware to work with
other Members not based on the letter that was next to their name, but
rather by finding Members with common interests, common challenges, and
those who were willing to work to find common solutions. I am proud to
have found a partner for this bill in Mr. Dunn.
From the coasts of Delaware to Florida, to Louisiana, to Hawaii, and
to the Virgin Islands, we all have a common interest in maintaining the
natural beauty of our great country. While development is crucial to
the continued economic growth in our country, we recognize that not
every place is appropriate for development. We should not only
acknowledge the wisdom of the 97th United States Congress in passing
the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, but do everything possible to uphold
its legacy by ensuring that the maps are updated and modernized, as
this bill has done.
Mr. Speaker, I also recognize Congressman Tom Evans, who was an
original cosponsor from the State of Delaware.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dunn), who introduced the
bill.
Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to be here today for the opportunity to
speak on this bipartisan, commonsense bill to provide much-needed
modernization and updates of the Coastal Barrier Resources System maps.
I thank Chairman Bishop for his work throughout this process, as well
as my colleague on the other side of the aisle, my friend,
Representative Blunt Rochester, for her work on this issue as well.
The Coastal Barrier Resources Act, signed into law in 1982, is meant
to preserve our Nation's barrier islands by barring Federal funds and
financial assistance from being used there, which therefore
disincentivizes development. This bill maintains these protections for
our Nation's barrier islands while simply providing for more precise
digital maps to distinguish the CBRA zones.
For decades, some of my constituents throughout the Second District
of Florida have been burdened by being erroneously included in the CBRA
zones. In some cases, this is due to the width of the pencil marks
outlining the boundaries on the original outdated, hand-drawn maps.
This was unacceptable in 1982, and it is outrageous in 2018.
Now, more than ever, in the wake of one of the most devastating
hurricanes in American history, a lack of access to Federal resources
is particularly debilitating for residents in coastal communities
across the Florida panhandle. This means no flood insurance, no FEMA
assistance, or no SBA loans. Being included in the CBRA zones actually
precludes the use of the funds from the BP oil spill in 2010.
I am grateful that this bill will provide a remedy for some people
who are dealing with these unnecessary burdens.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I
encourage the Senate to take it up before the end of Congress.
Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I commend Congressman Dunn and Congresswoman
Blunt Rochester for their leadership on this bipartisan bill to codify
a series of updated Coastal Barrier Resources System pilot project
maps.
This legislation, much like the underlying act, demonstrates that
good environmental stewardship, conservation, and coastal resiliency go
hand in hand with responsible taxpayer protections.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5787, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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