V-116 



SECTION 5. EVALUATION OF COASTAL STATE FRAMEWORKS 



An evaluation of the overall coastal State picture of estuarine 

 management reveals a pattern or trend that is quite bleak. However, 

 some coastal States have made significant progress towards effective 

 estuarine management. 



In the realm of organization, each coastal State has some type 

 of mechanism, capabilities, or organizational framework directed 

 towards estuarine management. But most of these frameworks 

 are, unfortunately, inadequate, not effectively coordinated, 

 not strong enough, or not adequately staffed nor financed. Tliose 

 States, which seem to be making a definite attempt to handle 

 their estuarine management capabilities, have a central organ- 

 izational/coordinational focal point. A primary factor in the 

 organizational format is that the effective ones are placed 

 high enough in the State structure so that they can operate 

 efficiently and not be overburdened by needless bureauocratic 

 delays. But this focal point cannot exist alone. It is only a 

 first step tov/ards estuarine management. Second, the policy 

 dictated and effected by this central agency must be in accordance 

 with, and supported by, a Statewide comprehensive estuarine 

 management plan . The plan must be approved by the State and 

 it must consider all aspects of the use, development, and protection 

 of the estuarine resources for the maximum possible benefit 

 of the populace, not only in the State but also in the region 



