H.R. 3976: To amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize grants to Indian Tribes to further achievement of Tribal coastal zone objectives, and for other purposes.

This bill authorizes the Department of Commerce to award competitive grants to (1) tribal governments to further achievement of tribal coastal zone objectives, and (2) Native Hawaiian organizations to further achievement of the coastal zone objectives identified in a corresponding approved management program.

Tribal coastal zone objective means, with respect to a tribal government and its tribal coastal zone, any of the following objectives:

• protecting, restoring, or preserving areas in the zone that hold important ecological, cultural, or sacred significance for the tribal government or traditional, historic, and aesthetic values essential to the tribal government;
• preparing and implementing a special area management plan and technical planning for important coastal areas; and
• taking any coastal or shoreline stabilization measure for the purpose of public safety, public access, or cultural or historical preservation.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.