Marine Science Affairs 



single-purpose uses, determined by immediate economic advantages to indi- 

 viduals, firms, and local governments, without long-term or broader con- 

 sideration of alternatives. 



In the early stages of a shoreline's development, single actions may 

 have relatively little impact on other potential users. But in time, the 

 resource base for certain uses is dissipated. Expansion of private ownership 

 and development has frequently reduced public access to beaches. The phys- 

 ical destruction of estuarine habitats by dredging and filling has often 

 decreased a region's fishing potential; and the pollution of estuarine and 

 coastal waters has begun to destroy much of their usefulness for water 

 supplies, fish and wildlife, and recreation. What we seek are opportunities 

 for multiple, compatible uses of our coastal ribbon and for maintaining as 

 many options for future uses as possible. Science and technology can be- 

 come tools to assist in accomplishing this goal. 



Because of the diversity of Coastal Zone activities in which the Federal 

 Government has a responsibility, almost every member and observer agency 

 of the Marine Sciences Council is directly concerned with some aspect of 

 the Coastal Zone. Figure IV-3 summarizes funding levels for Federal marine 

 science activities in the Coastal Zone. Other components of the marine 

 science program related to the Coastal Zone, such as fisheries, port and 

 channel development, tidal prediction services, and basic research are dis- 

 cussed in other chapters. Detailed information on Federal funding for Coastal 

 Zone activities is also presented in Appendices A-4, A-5, and A-6. 



Significant advances in Federal activities require an interagency approach 

 which has been reflected in the emphasis given the Coast Zone, including 

 the Great Lakes, by the Council. 



Opportunities for Conservation and Recreation 



The National Park Service system now includes 20 areas contiguous with 

 a coastline — 1 1 national parks and monuments devoted to resource protec- 

 tion and nine national seashores and lakeshores for both protection and 

 recreation. Biscayne National Monument in Florida and Redwood National 

 Park, which includes a 30-mile stretch of the California coastline, were 

 authorized for addition to the system by the 90th Congress. Other areas 

 along the seacoast and the shores of the Great Lakes have been proposed 

 or are under active consideration. Additionally, in 1968 the National Park 

 Service participated in the following Federal surveys of potential con- 

 servation and recreation areas : 



— the bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico ; 

 — the Canaveral Seashore at the Kennedy Space Center; and 

 — the Gulf Islands region of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and 

 Louisiana. 



66 



