Marine Science Affairs 



Federal-State Cooperation 



We have noted the uniqueness of marine science affairs of the Coastal 

 Zone — resulting from intense, varied human uses super-imposed on an 

 intricate, delicate ecology, and involving an array of governmental entities 

 to manage the Zone. This severe administrative fragmentation, as well as 

 the confrontation between different interests, suggests the need for unifying 

 concepts by which we can deal with these problems. 



To isolate local problems and help remedy them, heavy emphasis is antici- 

 pated on Federal-State collaboration. 



Two considerations may serve as guidelines to future collaboration. The 

 first is that problems vary from one locality to another and involve such 

 finely detailed relationships that some governmental authority lower than 

 Federal must be involved. The second is that mechanisms must be sought 

 to facilitate transfer of study and research to action — both to reduce delay 

 and insure authenticity of interpretation of studies. 



Much can be accomplished in promoting optimal use of the Coastal Zone 

 by increased emphasis on existing capabilities and on the use of existing 

 authorities. In some cases, however, new authorities may be needed to attain 

 the needed emphasis on the Coastal Zone. For example, the River Basin 

 Commissions ^ will, as part of comprehensive basin planning, consider steps 

 needed in the estuarine Coastal Zone. However, additional administrative 

 actions or a Commission similar in make-up to the River Basin Commissions 

 may be needed to carry out such measures along the coast between estuaries, 

 and extending out to include related activities on the Continental Shelf. 



In order to maximize the benefits from the Coastal Zone, additional ac- 

 tions need to be examined with the two-fold purpose of developing: 



— ^increased public awareness of the nature and importance of the 



Coastal Zone ; and 

 — an integrated program of science, technology, and public administra- 

 tion to develop more profound understanding of the coastal 

 regions, to sharpen our awareness of biological interdependence, 

 and to plan and implement measures and mechanisms for carrying 

 out a policy which will open new opportunities on the one hand, 

 and preserve that which is best in the environment on the other. 

 It is now also apparent that while the Federal involvement in the uses 

 of the Coastal Zone has been growing, an institutional framework for man- 

 agement of specific segments of the Coastal Zone as regional entities may be 

 needed if we are to realize the maximum social benefits from this vital 

 natural resource. 



^ Established by Water Resources Planning Act, PL 89-80. 



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