The Coastal Zone 



The same office also has undertaken a study of the interrelationships of 

 Continental Shelf Resources and regional economic development. 



Increased Emphasis 



In view of the many benefits and the threats associated with the Coastal 

 Zone, the Marine Sciences Council again selected the Coastal Zone area for 

 priority attention during FY 1969. While this multi-agency effort will build 

 on the initiative of FY 1968 described above, the geographical range of 

 activities will be broadened beyond consideration of the Chesapeake Bay. 



During the past year, the Council established an inter-agency Committee 

 on the Multiple Uses of the Coastal Zone to consider this category of issues 

 for the Council. In addition to a continuation and strengthening of the 

 individual agency programs, increased emphasis will be given to the 

 following endeavors: 



1 . An improved study and planning capability for dealing with problems 

 of the Coastal Zone on a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency basis will be de- 

 veloped within the Committee. Information and plans will be exchanged 

 on: 



— environmental data needed for policy decisions concerning the 



Coastal Zone; 

 — establishment of ecological baselines along the coasts; 

 — requirements for monitoring Coastal Zone phenomena; 

 — human and ecological factors in establishing quality standards; 

 — scientific and engineering requirements to abate coastal degradation. 

 Data available from State activities will be used. 



2. A long-term multi-agency plan of research on the Chesapeake Bay will 

 be formulated, continuing and broadening the FY 1968 initiative. A com- 

 prehensive research facilities plan will be developed concurrently with the 

 design of the Corps of Engineers hydraulic model. 



3. The need will be examined for programs in partnership with the States 

 to deal with problems along coastal reaches on the Continental Shelf and 

 the Great Lakes. A pilot program of study of the research needs related to 

 the Great Lakes will be undertaken by the Council in collaboration with the 

 Great Lakes Basin Commission, bordering States, and other inter-govern- 

 mental authorities considering all uses of the Lakes. 



4. Needs for a national estuarine study will be examined to assess the 

 magnitude of estuarine use problems and remedies. 



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