Matteo Renzi: “Mr. Speaker, S. 1663, introduced by Senator Elizabeth Dole, will remove 284 acres of private fastland, wetlands and open…”

“Mr. Speaker, S. 1663, introduced by Senator Elizabeth Dole, will remove 284 acres of private fastland, wetlands and open water property that has been mistakenly included within the Coastal Barrier Resources System. A similar bill, H.R. 2501, has been proposed by our colleague the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre). Specifically this legislation would replace two incorrectly drawn maps with updated digitized maps that accurately reflect the boundaries of the Cape Fear unit in North Carolina. This unit, which is referred to as an otherwise protected area, was established to protect certain public lands already held for conservation purposes. Regrettably, because of honest mistakes, the boundaries delineated on the maps erroneously include private property that is not an inholding. Under the terms of this measure, 26 homes and a number of undeveloped lots on Bald Head Island, North Carolina will be removed from the system. At the same time, however, 6,760 acres of additional military and State park lands will be added to the coastal barrier system for a net gain of 6,476 acres. During the hearing on this legislation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service testified in support of this needed correction and stated that the private properties in question are outside the boundaries of the conservation area and are not held for conservation purposes.”