V-186 



objectives and needs and through which they voluntarily coordinate 

 their respective programs; (2) planning in the sense of develop- 

 ment by the compact agency of policies and plans of an advisory 

 or recommendatory nature; (3) the conducting or promoting by the 

 agency of research and studies aimed at exoanding the knowledge 

 base and thus improving management policies; (4) increasing pub- 

 lic awareness and understanding of program needs by information 

 dissemination and education programs; and (5) representation by 

 the agency of State views and interests at the Federal level. 



Although most compact agencies perform one or more of the services 

 mentioned above, the programs of several of the agencies included 

 in this review are limited to these services. Specifically, this 

 is true of three of the fisheries comoacts (Atlantic, Gulf, and 

 Pacific); the present Potomac pollution control compact, whose 

 agency has stressed studies, public education programs, and ser- 

 vice as a regional clearinghouse and forum; and the New England 

 Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, whose activities 

 have been characterized by advisory program planning, program 

 coordination, research and studies, and service as a regional 

 clearinghouse and forum. 



EVALUATION OF THEIR PAST ROLE IN ESTUARINE MANAGEMENT 



As shown in Table V./:.2, each of the three interstate fisheries 

 comnisslons has stressed the improved use of fishery resources 



