Thomas Mott Osborne: “Mr. Speaker, S. 1066 introduced by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will remove 19 acres of private property that has been…”

“Mr. Speaker, S. 1066 introduced by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will remove 19 acres of private property that has been mistakenly included within the Coastal Barrier Resources System. An identical bill, H.R. 154, has been proposed by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul). I compliment him for his leadership on behalf of this measure. Specifically, the Matagorda dunes subdivision in Matagorda, Texas, was placed into the system despite the fact that a full complement of infrastructure, including roads and electricity, existed prior to 1977 and that it exceeded the number of structures per acre rule that is required for inclusion under the act. For more than 20 years, these homeowners were told they were not within the system and therefore eligible for both Federal flood insurance and State wind insurance. These policies have now been canceled, and it is essential that this mistake be corrected so that their property can be protected from any future flooding problems. It is difficult, if not impossible, to sell coastal property or obtain a home mortgage without access to Federal flood insurance.”