VI-158 



SECTION 8. SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS 



Perhaps the most important area in need of research and study 

 is that of socioeconomic factors broadly grouped under planning, 

 economics, and law. Unlike the previous discussions on study needs 

 concerning technical subjects, the research and study needs to 

 supply information necessary for wise planning is more difficult 

 to define in terms of separable projects. Certainly, the guide- 

 lines are more diffuse and the areas of overlap are greater, for 

 here we are dealing with human factors, with intangible values, 

 with aesthetics, and with recreational satisfactions. Further, 

 it is in this area where we must come to grips with the conflicts 

 existing in estuarine use and abuse. It is in this area where 

 the hard questions subject to litigation arise, for having 

 developed all of the information required to support technical 

 management of the estuaries, we must now amalgamate this knowledge 

 with a comprehensive plan of management which will provide for 

 a program of optimum beneficial action. 



PLANNING 



By definition, the need here is to establish comprehensive long- 

 range use plans for each estuary, including industrial and recrea- 

 tional areas as well as wildlife and fishery preserves. A 

 necessary balance between preservation, study, multiple use, and 



