it should be possible to reduce the risk of adverse impact in areas that 



are of particular value for another use. In the South Atlantic region 



where the coastal area remains mainly underdeveloped, there are numerous 



environmental management areas interspersed with centers of tourism and 



port activity. Ports and their associated activities concentrating 



the largest populations and heaviest industries around them, place 



the greatest demands on the coastal environment. They are logical 



sites for locating future OCS support activities for the region. 



In spite of the potential threats to sensitive environmental 



management, recreation, and tourism, the development of support and 



service industries onshore is viewed as desirable by some, as well as 



undesirable by others, as indicated by public meetings held by CEQ 



(21, p. 121): 



"Many, including representatives of the petroleum industry, 

 regional utilities, local businesses, chambers of commerce, 

 and governmental officials, testified that economic gains to 

 particular regions and the growth of new industries not only 

 are beneficial but are urgently needed. They cited high 

 unemployment rates, the need for petroleum, and a desire 

 for economic diversification as reason for developing the 

 outer continental shelf. 



Others said that their communities could not accommodate 

 the volume and pace of development likely - not just the 

 construction of refineries and other processing facilities 

 but the residential and commercial development needed to 

 support the influx of population and economic activities. 

 Their concerns were not limited to wetlands, beaches, and 

 other natural areas; they also feared the loss of tradi- 

 tional values, established lifestyles, and the character 

 of their communities. Often cited were the lack of planning 

 and land use regulatory mechanisms to cope with the de- 

 velopment pressures. And some saw irreconcilable conflicts 

 between industrial development and recreation, tourism, 

 and commercial fishing." 



76 



