H*4703 Concurrent Resolution, By Pitts, Herbkersman, Parker, Hardwick, White, 
Erickson, Henderson, Limehouse, Sandifer, G.R. Smith, Spires, Tribble and Ott
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO AFFIRM THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
 IN DETERMINING APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES AND USES OF RESOURCES IN WATERS
 CONTROLLED BY THE STATE AND TO RECOGNIZE THE CRITICAL ROLE OF STATES IN
 FEDERAL OCEAN PLANNING, INCLUDING THE GATHERING OF COASTAL AND MARINE SPATIAL
 DATA.

   01/31/12  House  Introduced (House Journal-page 32)
   01/31/12  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs
                     (House Journal-page 32)
   03/28/12  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental
                     Affairs (House Journal-page 5)
   03/29/12  House  Amended (House Journal-page 58)
   03/29/12  House  Adopted, sent to Senate (House Journal-page 58)
   04/03/12  Senate Introduced (Senate Journal-page 2)
   04/03/12  Senate Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural
                     Resources (Senate Journal-page 2)
   04/17/12  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Ott
   04/25/12  Senate Committee report: Favorable Agriculture and
                     Natural Resources
   05/29/12  Senate Adopted, returned to House with concurrence
                     (Senate Journal-page 47)

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 25, 2012

H. 4703

Introduced by Reps. Pitts, Herbkersman, Parker, Hardwick, White, Erickson, Henderson, Limehouse, Sandifer, G.R. Smith, Spires, Tribble and Ott

S. Printed 4/25/12--S.

Read the first time April 3, 2012.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4703) to affirm the authority of the State of South Carolina in determining appropriate activities and uses of resources in waters controlled by the State and to recognize the critical role, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

DANIEL B. VERDIN III for Committee.

TO AFFIRM THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN DETERMINING APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES AND USES OF RESOURCES IN WATERS CONTROLLED BY THE STATE AND TO RECOGNIZE THE CRITICAL ROLE OF STATES IN FEDERAL OCEAN PLANNING, INCLUDING THE GATHERING OF COASTAL AND MARINE SPATIAL DATA.

Whereas, by the authority of the federal Submerged Lands Act of 1953, the State of South Carolina owns and manages waters within three nautical miles of the coastline; and

Whereas, there are ongoing and new uses of the ocean that could benefit from taking a coastal and marine spatial planning approach that incorporates the best available data and actively engages key user groups in the management decisions; and

Whereas, the State must have a leadership role in the development of any coastal and marine spatial planning efforts that occur in or adjacent to state waters; and

Whereas, it is critical that recreational fisheries and other user groups have the opportunity to be represented and engaged in ocean management decisions; and

Whereas, the National Ocean policy calls for a Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning process that could impact activities in waters owned and managed by this State; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly recognizes that without adequate scientific evidence to support coastal and marine spatial planning, this planning could have a detrimental effect on the coastal economies of our State; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is uncertain that the Regional Planning Bodies designated to formulate regional Coastal and Marine Spatial Plans will provide equal participation across "federal, state and tribal authorities"; and

Whereas, the official engagement of all stakeholders during the Regional Planning Body plan development process must be clearly defined and implemented; and

Whereas, coastal and marine spatial planning has in some cases failed to ensure the right of the public to access aquatic resources for legitimate conservation activities and recreational uses; and

Whereas, nevertheless, the South Carolina General Assembly recognizes the authority of the United States government to manage recreational fishing as a sustainable activity in federally controlled waters as stated in Presidential Executive Order 12962, as amended by Presidential Executive Order 13474, and subsequently, the State of South Carolina will continue to manage and protect recreational fishing as a sustainable activity in any relevant conservation or management areas that fall under the authority of this State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, affirm the authority of the State of South Carolina in determining appropriate activities and uses of resources in state controlled waters, regardless of any Coastal and Marine Spatial Plans created pursuant to the National Oceans Policy, and recognize the critical role states and all ocean user groups must play in the creation of any Coastal and Marine Spatial Plans pursuant to the National Oceans Policy in federally controlled waters.