V-172 



In addition to research on biological aspects and water quality, 

 there is a qreat need for further study of the legal aspects of 

 estuarine management. Clarification of conflicting ownership 

 claims and titles is urgently needed in almost every estuary. A 

 detailed survey and inventory of ownerships, to include legal 

 basis, rights, title checks, and assessment of land value, should 

 be undertaken by local governments-. It is not unlikely that such 

 a survey would disclose land still owned by the State and leases 

 that need renegotiation because their terms have been breached. 

 A continuous updating of this land register should also be part of 

 local governments' management activities. 



This Chapter has stressed the crucial role that local governments 

 can play in the direction and management of estuaries. In the 

 past, localities have not been very effective in developing and 

 maintaining comprehensive programs. Greatly handicapped by a lack 

 of plans, administration, finances, and government personnel, they 

 have been further hindered in decision making in the public inter- 

 est by their limited geographic scope, taxable resources, and legal 

 powers. In almost all cases they have failed to arouse the public 

 or overcome popular indifference to the loss of estuaries to the 

 encroachments of _"ci vi 1 i zati on" . 



The record of estaurine management has been disappointing at all 

 levels. Federal and State as well as local. The only answer to 

 the question "Can we rely on local government?" is that we must -- 

 for we have no choice -- work throuqh the municipalities, counties. 



