IV-135 



it is important to recognize, however, that waste disposal is a 

 highly significant and universal use of the estuarine resource and 

 that it is likely to remain so. Along with the many other socio- 

 economic uses of the estuarine environment, it must be managed so 

 that it does not damage the biophysical environment. 



EXPLOITATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES 



Minerals within the water, on the bottom, and under the bottom are 

 a valuable part of the estuarine resource and are being exploited 

 widely. Table IV. 2. 8 shows the extent of such exploitation in the 

 estuarine zone. 



Sub-bottom mining operations are limited to the recovery of sulphur, 

 petroleum, and natural gas, with the major operations occurring in 

 Louisiana, Texas, California, and Alaska (Figure IV. 2. 23). These 

 operations exist both in the estuaries and out on the continental 

 shelves with the governing criterion for location being the location 

 of reserves; the carrying out of such operations does not require an 

 extensive amount of local installation or development after drilling 

 is finished. 



Avery Island, .Louisiana, for example, has over 100 oil wells in active 

 production as well as some new drilling. Yet, the company exploiting 

 the oil reserves has restored all abandoned well sites and taken special 

 efforts to make their facilities blend into the natural environment 



