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SECTION 5. EVALUATION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY 



In the introduction, the various elements that should be considered 

 in any comprehensive plan of management were listed and the evalua- 

 tion of management in the Chesapeake Bay that follows is made in 

 reference to those elements. 



POLICY AND OBJECTIVES 



First, in regard to mutually agreed-upon policy and objectives, 

 some exist at the State level; but it would appear that an overall 

 national policy coupled with objectives should be established at the 

 national level. There is need for such guidance not only for State 

 management, but to provide better objectives for interstate programs 

 of management. 



LEGISLATIVE AUTHORIZATION 



At the State level Maryland's recent creation of its Department of 

 Natural Resources has very likely produced an excellent start in 

 this direction. Nevertheless, because of the many unsolved problems, 

 stronger State legislation may still be needed. As was pointed out in 

 Chapter It a study of the Federal programs, a stronger, more effective 

 Federal role is needed to provide not only much greater technical 

 assistance to the States, but also to provide the impetus and the 

 objectives for better and more effective management. A review of the 

 Chesapeake only verifies this. Progress is apparent, but legislative 

 action is needed to provide a stronger and more far-reaching program. 



