11-62 



USE CONFLICTS AND DAMAGES: 

 MAN'S BATTLE WITH HIMSELF 

 AND NATURE 



The consequence of damage to the biophysical environment is loss of 

 use either immediately or at some time in the future. Loss of use, 

 however, may also be associated with the appropriation of part of 

 the estuarine resource for one exclusive use even when no damage to 

 the environment itself occurs. 



Institutional management must cope with the problems of responsibility 

 and authority in achieving maximum multiple use of the estuarine 

 resource. Within this comprehensive framework technical management 

 must resolve the problems surrounding conflicts of use, competition 

 for the resources of the estuarine zone, and environmental damage. 

 The primary objective of technical management is to achieve the best 

 possible combination of uses to serve the needs of society while 

 protecting, preserving, and enhancing the biophysical environment 

 for the continuing benefit of present and future generations. 



The uses of the estuarine zone grew and changed in consonance with 

 population growth and industrial development. Not until recent 

 years was a concerted attempt made to understand and resolve the 

 conflicts that arose in the competition to use and exploit these 

 land and water resources. During the past three hundred years of 

 growth and industrial expansion with its emphasis on economic growth 

 and direct monetary gain, large parts of the estuarine zone were 

 pre-empted or usurped to serve the individual needs of commercial 



