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TO OPPOSE AND REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE OR ENFORCE THE COASTAL AND MARINE SPATIAL PLANS CREATED IN SOUTH CAROLINA PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE NATIONAL OCEAN COUNCIL.
Whereas, the National Ocean policy calls for a Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning process to regulate activities in waters owned and managed by this State; and
Whereas, Executive Order 13547 signed by President Barack Obama on September 30, 2011, circumvents Congressional action to promote a predetermined agenda of water uses; and
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly recognizes that without adequate scientific evidence to support Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning, this planning will have a detrimental effect on the coastal economies of our State; and
Whereas, the necessity for the zoning of aquatic uses and the existence of conflicts among uses of aquatic and coastal resources has not been proven factual; and
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is uncertain that "federal, state, and tribal authorities" who are to staff Regional Planning Bodies designated to formulate Coastal and Marine Spatial Plans will adequately represent all stakeholders during the development of those plans; and
Whereas, Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning has 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, oppose and refuse to recognize or enforce the Coastal and Marine Spatial Plans created in South Carolina pursuant to the authority of the National Ocean Council.
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