Marine Science Affairs 



the Bay, thus amplifying empirical measurements made in the past. Also, 

 the model will improve and extend understanding of the physical character- 

 istics of the Bay, the ecology of the environment, and the effects of 

 man's activities on marine organisms. Of particular interest will be under- 

 standing of the capacity of the Potomac estuary and subestuaries to absorb 

 pollutants. Studies using such a model cost relatively little compared to large- 

 scale field tests. 



Two analytical studies were conducted on contract by the Marine Sciences 

 Council to gain new insights into the implications of Federal policies to 

 enhance optimal use of the Coastal Zone. Results are currently being re- 

 viewed and will be made public in 1968. The first study, on the Chesapeake 

 Bay area, directly complements the FY 1968 initiative adopted by the Coun- 

 cil. The second study was of the Seattle Harbor area. Each study has cata- 

 logued the present use and ownership of waterfront property and considered 

 in some depth financial, legal, and administrative tools available for rational 

 land use planning. Both studies noted a lack of coordinated land use 

 planning at any level — among State agencies and between State and local 

 agencies and the Federal Government — and the need for a data bank con- 

 cerning the marine environment that affects land use. 



The first study also confirmed that because the Chesapeake Bay is used 

 for such a variety of purposes, it is inevitably beset by conflict. For example, 

 because of pollution the Maryland State Health Department has closed 

 some of the oyster beds; public beaches in the Baltimore area must be 

 closed frequently to bathers, also because of pollution ; the demand increases 

 for more waterfront land in Baltimore to be devoted to port functions and 

 conflicts with the great need for waterfront recreation; over 11,000 acres 

 of Chesapeake wetlands were irreversibly lost during eleven years (1955- 

 1966), largely due to dredging and filling; and shellfish production has 

 sharply declined, now only 30 percent what it was fifty years ago. 



Some of the conflicts on the Chesapeake have been satisfactorily resolved 

 by State and local actions, taken in many cases pursuant to Federal legisla- 

 tion and with Federal sharing of costs. Actions have included adoption of 

 water quality criteria as required by the Federal Clean Water Restoration 

 Act; land planning with development of necessary sewage treatment facilities 

 under the Section 701 program of the Department of Housing and Urban 

 Development; community financing of public works including sewage col- 

 lection and treatment plants with grant and loan assistance under various 

 Federal programs; proposed acqviisition of land on the coastline for public 

 parks, with partial assistance from the Land and Water Conservation Fund ; 

 and a pledge by the Maryland Assembly to protect the wetlands. 



In addition to these studies, regional economic development studies have 

 been made by the Office of Regional Economic Development of the Depart- 

 ment of Commerce pertaining to the Continental Shelf of New England. 



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