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knowledge that provides the technical support to achieve the 

 objectives of the comprehensive program. 



The Federal Role in Estuarine Research 



The Federal Government is responsible for defining the policy and 

 objectives of a national research and study program to support wise 

 comprehensive management of the estuarine zones of the United States. 

 It is also the responsibility of the Federal Government to (a) imple- 

 ment its portion of the announced national program, (b) coordinate 

 the research activities of its appropriate departments and agencies, 

 and (c) augment and encourage the development of new knowledge by 

 State and local agencies as well as by educational institutions. 

 Many of these responsibilities are already receiving attention and 

 the Federal role is one of continuation and augmentation; those 

 responsibilities not yet satisfied require new Federal activities. 



The overall Federal role in research should be: 



(1) To provide the impetus for the enhancement, augmen- 

 tation, and initiation of a national program of research 

 needed to support a comprehensive management system and 

 by offering guidelines for State, interstate, local, and 

 academic actions consistent with developing needed 

 estuarine knowledge. 



(2) To provide continuing support and guidance through 

 grants to State, interstate, and local agencies, and to 



