V-158 



managing the landward areas. There is, nevertheless, great 

 uncertainty as to ownership, and each private title is unique 

 and complicated. Extensive litigation over these lands, some 

 of which have been fraudulently acquired, has been long delayed 

 and is urgently needed. Despite the reassertion of public 

 rights and interest in estuaries, no overall State or municipal 

 policy on use and disposal has evolved. As a result, develop- 

 ment is frequently unplanned and unregulated. 



PROGRAM DEFICIENCIES AND REVENUE PRESSURES 



A second reason for the difficulty local agencies encounter in 

 attempting to evolve rational and comprehensive estuarine manage- 

 ment policies is programming deficiencies. Almost all coastal 

 local agencies lack the staff and funding capabilities to plan, 

 decide, and implement regulations for compatible land and water 

 uses. One survey reported that some local authorities were unaware 

 of their jurisdiction and control powers over the coastal zone 

 and its resources {V-3-9). 



Decision making is also hampered by fragmented jurisdictions. 

 Almost all local governments are too small to encompass the 

 entire estuarine area; they approach problems on a piecemeal 

 basis rather than by an overall view of the suitability of uses 

 and the total resource value of estuaries. In addition. 



