AT ISSUE:
Protecting the nation's ocean and coastal resources

HOLLINGS' PERSPECTIVE:
With a record on ocean policy that spans over 30 years, Senator Hollings believes we must conserve our natural resources and use them efficiently to sustain high quality of life in coastal communities. As a Senator, he has earned a reputation as a practical conservationist who puts environmental issues on the forefront of the national agenda.

RECENT ACTION:
On June 10, Sen. Hollings introduced legislation, entitled the "Oceans and Human Health Act," to establish a federal research program that examines ocean resources and their applications to human health. The bill establishes a national interagency program to coordinate research efforts and ensure an adequate federal investment in this growing field of research.

In April, Sen. Hollings reintroduced his Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act, S. 861, bipartisan legislation to improve protection of coastal areas and allow communities to better manage coastal development. The bill, which reflects South Carolina's cooperative effort to protect the ACE Basin, authorizes funding specifically for coastal land acquisition and encourages partnerships between federal, state, local, private and non-profit organizations to safeguard coastal resources.

CURRENT STATUS:
On June 19, Sen. Hollings' CELP bill was unanimously approved by the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, of which he is the ranking member.

And on June 26, the Committee unanimously approved Sen. Hollings' Oceans and Human Health Act. Both bills now await consideration by the full Senate.