II 1-2 



As the study proceeded it was determined quite early that the direct 

 relationship of the coastal areas to the estuaries made it impractical 

 to attempt to consider them separately. This was true because of their 

 close proximity, their continuous influence upon each other and because 

 both are affected by the same economic and social pressures, thus the 

 recommendations that follow apply equally to the estuarlne areas proper 

 and to the entire coastal zone, that overall area where the continent 

 and the islands meet the sea. 



A comprehensive program for the management of the estuarine and coastal 

 zonesof the Nation, must have as its primary concern the institutional 

 environment, i.e., the framework which includes the forms of law, political 

 institutions, and organizational mechanisms, that man must use to provide 

 himself the capability to control, develop, and use these zones. Once 

 this framework 1s established it becomes more easily possible to conduct 

 activities designed to improve the biophysical environment and the 

 socioeconomic environment. 



What is proposed is a program that recognizes the primary responsibilities 

 of the States in a management program for their estuarine and coastal 

 areas, and on the Federal side provides for the coordination of Federal 

 activities in these areas and for assistance to the States in their 

 management activities. 



Any comprehensive national program for the estuarine and coastal zone 

 must provide flexibility in many ways to fit regional and local con- 

 ditions and situations, but regardless of variables it must establish 

 a guiding policy and a set of objectives. Regardless of variables, in 

 order to be effective the program must provide for: (1) planning and 

 implementation; (2) active administration in terms of regulation, 





