Olympia Snowe: “I rise to support H.R. 3417, the Pribilof Islands Transition Act with the amendment I have offered. This bill, as…”

“I rise to support H.R. 3417, the Pribilof Islands Transition Act with the amendment I have offered. This bill, as amended, contains a number of ocean, coastal, and fisheries related titles that will result in major conservation gains for our nation's marine resources at a time when we are placing enormous demands on them. The bill not only attempts to provide additional environmental protections through a number of state and local programs, but also tools for better management. Title I of this bill is the Pribilof Islands Transition Act. The Alaskan Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea were a former reserve for harvesting fur seals. The Commerce Department, acting through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has been involved in municipal and social services on the islands since 1910. In 1983, NOAA tried to remove themselves from administering these programs. However, despite the $20 million in funds the Pribilof Islands received to replace future annual Federal appropriations, the Pribilof Islanders claim that the terms of the transition process were not met and the withdrawal failed. This title authorizes $28 million over five years to again attempt to achieve the orderly withdrawal of NOAA from the civil administration of the Pribilof Islands.”