LAUTENBERG, GREGG BILL TO PROTECT NATION'S COASTAL LANDS AND HABITATS PASSES HOUSE AS PART OF PUBLIC LANDS LEGISLATION

LAUTENBERG, GREGG BILL TO PROTECT NATION'S COASTAL LANDS AND HABITATS PASSES HOUSE AS PART OF PUBLIC LANDS LEGISLATION
Measure Now Headed to President for Approval

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Legislation authored by Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Judd Gregg (R-NH) to better protect America's coasts and their ecosystems from development passed the House of Representatives today.  It has already been passed by the Senate and is now headed to President Obama to be signed into law.  The Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act awards grants to states with approved coastal management programs to protect environmentally sensitive lands.

"Protecting our treasured natural resources is vital to the ecological and economic health of our state and nation," Sen. Lautenberg said.  "Our bill would help maintain the water quality, wildlife habitats, flood protection and recreational opportunities our coastal areas need to thrive for generations to come."   

Senator Gregg stated, "New Hampshire is home to some of the most diverse and ecologically significant ecosystems in the nation.  The conservation and protection of these special places has long been a top priority of lawmakers and residents alike to help maintain our rich environmental heritage and high quality of life.  The passage of this legislation will allow communities in New Hampshire and across the nation to continue building on the success of previous CELP projects and keep protecting sensitive environmental lands and habitats such as Great Bay and the Winnicut Headwaters.  By combining state, local, and private funding to protect coastal and estuarine areas, we will ensure that these areas will not be threatened by development and will be available for future generations to enjoy.  I am pleased that the House of Representatives today approved this language and look forward to the President signing this bill into law." 

Building off the existing Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program, the Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to use federal funds to helps states acquire land for fiscal years 2009 through 2013.  The federal funds provided through this program would be combined with state, local and private funding.  The Act is based on the successful federal Forest Legacy Program.

The Lautenberg/Gregg bill is supported by the Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Land Trust Alliance, The Conservation Fund, Restore America's Estuaries, American Fly Fishing Trade Association, The Ocean Conservancy, National Estuarine Research Reserve Association, Association of National Estuary Programs, Coastal States Organization, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, New Hampshire Audubon, New Jersey Audubon, the NY/NJ Baykeeper, American Littoral Society (NJ), People for Puget Sound, Alliance for Puget Sound Shorelines, Mt. Agamenticus to the Sea Initiative and the Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

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