VI-165 



economic research can begin, then these management units can be 

 modified as knowledge of other factors - hydrology, ecology, 

 geology - becomes available. 



LAW 



As in the area of economics and planning, it is difficult to 

 conceptualize the research and study needs involved with legal 

 aspects of estuarine management in. the same framework as that of 

 the technical questions. Notwithstanding, a great deal of work 

 must be done if we are to answer the questions having legal 

 overtones in the Nation's estuaries. 



There is a lack of clearly defined jurisdiction for the manage- 

 ment of the Nation's estuaries. In terms of conventional legal 

 categories, the rights of competing parties to resources which the 

 estuary supports must be determined. Who owns the shoreline and 

 the bed of the various estuaries? What special rights does the 

 law give to private owners of land abutting the estuary? What 

 rights does the law give all private individuals in estuarine 

 resources? What is the difference between the rights to flowing 

 waters, to tidal waters, and to marsh areas? What are the consti- 

 tutional and territorial limitations on the regulatory powers 

 of the State, the municipalities, and the Federal Government? 

 This brings us to the need to examine and study institutional 



