LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS 



Several laws and programs relate to multiple-use conflicts in Florida. 

 This section gives an overview of the State's Coastal Management Program, the 

 Environmental Land and Water Management Act (particularly the sections on 

 Developments of Regional Impact, and Areas of Critical Concern), industrial 

 siting and environmental permits that affect industry, and the Coastal Con- 

 struction Control Line Program. A more thorough discussion of environmental 

 legislation is in the Chapter on "Environmental Issues and Regulations." 



COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 



The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (PL 92-583) was adopted by the 

 U.S. Congress as a means of protecting and enhancing the Nation's coasts by 

 helping the states develop and implement programs for managing their coastal 

 areas. Florida has received grants for developing its management program, and 

 has recently finalized its program (Florida Department of Environmental 

 Regulation 1980). 



Florida's coastal zone management program dates back to 1970 when the 

 Coastal Coordinating Council was established. The council members and staff 

 worked with coastal planning until 1975 when the council was abolished by the 

 legislature and its duties and functions were transferred to the Department of 

 Natural Resources. Among the notable works by the council staff was the pre- 

 paration of a massive coastal atlas and the identification of coastal lands 

 suitable for either habitat preservation, fish and wildlife conservation, or 

 urban/industrial development (Florida Coastal Coordinating Council 1974). 



In 1977, the legislature transferred the powers and duties of coastal 

 management to the Department of Environmental Regulation. The legislature 

 acted to strengthen coastal management in 1978 with passage of the Florida 

 Coastal Management Act (ch. 380.19 F.S.). The enabling legislation states 

 that "... the environmental aspects of the coastal areas of this state have 

 attracted a high percentage of permanent population and visitors and that this 

 concentration of people and their requirements has had a serious impact on the 

 natural surroundings." 



The Coastal Management Program developed over the past two years attempts 

 to provide more guidance and predictabli ty to the private sector, and empha- 

 sizes the strengthening of the administration of existing State laws. These 

 laws can be very effective in regulating coastal development. The program 

 also seeks to reduce unnecessary legal and administrative procedures and 

 identify gaps in existing laws and regulations, and it aims to gain increased 

 control for the State over Federal actions by way of the Federal consistency 

 clause of the Coastal Zone Management Act. 



The tentative date for completion of the final environmental impact 

 statement for the Florida Coastal Management Program is April 1981, and it is 

 hoped that the program will receive final approval by the Federal Office of 

 Coastal Zone Management in June 1981. 



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