Bruce F. Vento: “Mr. Speaker, S. 1574, which passed the Senate on November 20, 1993, is a bill sponsored by Senator Bradley to raise the…”

“Mr. Speaker, S. 1574, which passed the Senate on November 20, 1993, is a bill sponsored by Senator Bradley to raise the authorization ceiling for the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. An identical bill (H.R. 3377) was introduced on the House side by Representative Bill Hughes. In 1988, legislation was enacted to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to designate the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route to enhance the public's understanding and appreciation of the New Jersey coast and its heritage. This vehicular tour route extends 275 miles along existing public roads from Perth Amboy in the north to Cape May in the south and northwest along the Delaware Bay shoreline. The National Park Service recently completed an implementation guide which presents the strategy for developing the trail route. The 1988 legislation limited the Federal financial contribution to $250,000 for this project. However, that amount has been exceeded and no additional funds can be appropriated unless the authorization is amended. The Committee on Natural Resources adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute to S. 1574 which made several changes in the bill to address concerns about the scope and cost of this project. The committee amendment limits future appropriations to $1 million in addition to the $1.2 million that has already been appropriated.”