President Signs Legislation to Protect Oceans, U.S. Coasts

With the Atlantic Ocean as his backdrop, President Clinton on Monday signed bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting the nation’s oceans and coastal resources.

The bill will set up a commission in January to study how to promote better use of U.S. beaches and coasts, restore fisheries and marine mammals, strengthen coastal economies and expand undersea exploration.

“This is about setting a vision to see that our beaches are clean and our oceans protected,” said Clinton, vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard.

“This is landmark legislation,” said Eli Weissman, a spokesman for the Center for Marine Conservation. Right now, ocean protection issues are addressed on a “crisis-by-crisis basis.”

The 16-member commission will spend 18 months to establish priorities and recommend a long-term strategy to protect the oceans, Weissman said. The commission’s operations will cost $6 million.

The last time a panel took a comprehensive look at ocean policy was 31 years ago. That panel’s efforts led to the creation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which has jurisdiction over the National Weather Service and National Marine Fisheries Service.

Clinton noted Monday that with more than half the population living in coastal areas, there are great pressures on the nation’s coasts, including development and pollution. He also noted that the oceans are a great resource for pharmaceuticals.

The commission will seek a way to coordinate all these efforts.