“I am proud to have received the support in the Senate to clarify this inaccuracy,” Rep. Jones said.  “The Fish and Wildlife Service has shown support for the correction and agreed that the boundary required clarification. I introduced this legislation after learning of this discrepancy, and I am happy that we are finally going to be able to correct the mapping error.” 

 The Coastal Barrier Resource system was developed by Congress in the 1980’s to protect the coast from future development. In 1990, the Coastal Barrier Resource Act created a map entitled NC-01 to incorporate a wildlife sanctuary owned by the National Audubon Society as an otherwise protected area.  Unfortunately, the map mistakenly included a large tract of both private and publicly held land.  In 1992, Congress addressed the inaccuracy but again failed to accurately portray the boundary between the Audubon Sanctuary and the private property. 

 Rep. Jones’ bill, H.R. 4435, would amend the Coastal Barrier Resource Act to remove the incorrectly labeled private property and add the aquatic habitat of Pine Island and Goat Island Bay. The correction would add 2,326 acres to the Coastal Barrier System, which was an original goal of the Act.

H.R. 4435 passed the Senate without amendment by unanimous consent and awaits President Clinton’s signature.