V-206 



zone. Attendance at the thirty meetings was good — not only in terms 

 of number, but also in variety of organizations and individuals repre- 

 sented. Many statements, both oral and written, were made. Complete 

 transcripts of each meeting were prepared, and, as a result, it is 

 possible to extract from them a reasonably accurate report of the 

 major concerns of those in attendance. 



An additional important result of these meetings has been increased 

 public awareness of the values and problems of the estuaries, because 

 of the publicity given them. This has already resulted in favorable 

 action at both State and local level to further the protection of the 

 estuarine zone. 



The public meeting proved to be an invaluable mechanism for obtaining 

 statements of concern and recommendation from those groups and indi- 

 viduals who are usually left without a voice in studies of this kind. 

 It was hoped that a variety of presentations would be made, and the 

 success of the public meetings in this regard was far beyond anyone's 

 expectations. 



Because the public meetings were most important in bringing the Study 

 to the attention of individuals and to private organizations, the re- 

 mainder of this Chapter is devoted to an analysis of these meetings 

 and the conclusions to be reached from such analysis. 



In addition, there were other successful means of contact which re- 

 sulted in a continuous flow of information. The wide diversity of 



