Table 26. Land use inventory of the Apalachicola River basin (from Florida Department 

 of Administration 1<^77). 



^Includes Apalachicola National Forest. 



chain reaction throuqhout the local 

 economy because direct and indirect 

 purchases generate income, the so-called 

 "multiplier" effect. Recent estimates 

 indicate that the forestry and fisheries 

 "export" values are even more important 

 than previous studies indicated since 

 oractically all such production is sold 

 outside the region. The total current 

 value of fisheries in the drainage system 

 and associated coastal areas exceeds '^'^^3 

 million. Colberg et al. (1%8) projected 

 a value of S34.2 million for commercial 

 fishing and tourism by the year 2000 if 

 water quality and natural productivity are 

 maintained. Value added as a "multiplier" 

 effect would increase this estimate to 

 almost S67 million. Thus, the as yet 

 undiminished natural resources in the 

 Apalachicola valley provide an important 

 economic base for the local area, and such 

 natural industries have a direct influence 

 on the region throuqh export and 

 respending. 



Rockwood et al. (1973) and Rockwood 

 and Leitman (1977) provided an in-depth 

 analysis of the socioeconomic basis of the 

 Aoalachicola oyster industry. The 

 potential for oyster production has yet to 

 be reached; greater production will be 

 necessary if the relatively low per-capita 

 income is to be increased and more 

 employment is to be provided for young 

 people in the area. Tn terms of general 

 determinants of regional growth, Franklin 

 County is rich in natural resources on 

 which it is almost entirely dependent. 

 Recent historic trends have contributed to 

 the insularity of the community. The 

 development of strong clan ties of the 

 English and Scotch-Irish inhabitants adds 

 to the geographic isolation of the region. 

 Independence and individualism are hall- 

 marks of this society and have led to the 

 view that outside intervention by 

 government agencies or large corporations 

 has a negative influence on the community. 

 The oyster industry is based on 



102 



