IV-277 



are now relatively unmodified and free of Intense 

 competitive demands. 



FUTURE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE ESTUARINE ZONE 



The estuarlne economic region 1n recent decades exhibits a rate of 

 economic growth slightly greater than the national average. Personal 

 income 1n constant dollars expanded 177 percent from 1929 to 1962, 

 while national personal Income rose 170 percent. Nearly all parts 

 of the region are expected to either maintain positions of relative 

 wealth 1n the future or to Increase their relative wealth. 



Manufacturing 1s the principal export activity of the region, and 

 the significance of the region as a focus for Industry 1s shown 

 by the level of concentration of employment. In 1960, about one- 

 half of the manufacturing Industries had a level of concentration 

 greater than the national level. Significant degrees of overall 

 specialization 1n the region are indicated 1n transportation equip- 

 ment excluding motor vehicles, petroleum refining, apparel, and 

 in both printing and publishing and chemicals. 



Certain industries of minor importance to the overall estuarine 

 zone economy assume great importance In smaller areas. The pulp-and- 

 paper and lumber-and-furn1ture industries, for example, play central 

 roles in such estuarlne economic areas as the Me. Coast, the North 

 Carolina Coast, and the Northern California Coast. In the Central 

 Florida Gulf Coast and the Texas South Gulf Coast forestry and 



