The intensity of the demand and competition for residential, recrea- 

 tional, industrial, and commercial development of coastal lands and 

 waters, and the concerns of the environmentalists, are the basis for 

 multiple-use conflicts in Southwest Florida. 



Residential areas are frequently developed with little regard for 

 potential hurricanes and associated floods. 



Coastal wetlands and estuaries are vital to Florida's commercial and 

 sport fishing industries, but these resources are usually ignored by 

 planners and developers. 



New or expanding coastal residential and industrial development will 

 further compound the problem of rapidly diminishing coastal land and 

 water resources. 



Reduced groundwater supplies and accelerated runoff from rainfall 

 are symptoms of major changes in land use (e.g., displacement by 

 streets and buildings). 



Excessive use of groundwater supplies for municipal use or from 

 individual wells may cause a shortage of freshwater, and invite 

 saltwater intrusion. 



The construction of housing, roads, bridges, piers, and jetties on 

 barrier islands is certain to destabilize the beach environment. 



Extensive new onshore industrial developments may cause fiscal pro- 

 blems for local governments. During first construction, local 

 governments may be confronted with tax deficits created by the 

 increased population and demand for public services prior to any 

 increase in property tax revenue. In the long run, economic gains 

 from increased property tax revenues are likely to more than compen- 

 sate for early financial deficits. 



Sewage disposal in new, and sometimes even old residential areas may 

 cause serious public health and environmental problems. Faulty sep- 

 tic tank systems could cause seepage of contaminated wastes into 

 the ground water and in some coastal waters. 



Wetlands may be filled in or covered to provide onshore urban facil- 

 ities, which results in a loss of essential food and shelter for 

 coastal fish and wildlife and a loss of natural storage of flood 

 waters. 



Contaminants and wastes discharged by industry may pollute the water 

 and endanger aquatic organisms and human health. 



Potential Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas production in 

 the eastern gulf, if extensive and without adequate consideration 

 for the environment, could in some areas seriously damage or destroy 

 estuaries, marshes, beaches, and fish and wildlife populations. 



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