[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 876 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 876

 Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Zone Management Act 
    of 1972, commonly known as the ``Coastal Zone Management Act''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 21, 2022

Mr. Markey submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Zone Management Act 
    of 1972, commonly known as the ``Coastal Zone Management Act''.

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--

    G    (A) the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Research Fellowship;

    G    (B) the Coastal Management Fellowship; and

    G    (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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