The Coastal Zone 



Enhancing Water Quality 



Water quality is one of the crucial determinants of the different uses of a 

 coastal area. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act calls for the enhance- 

 ment of the quality and v^alue of the Nation's water resources and for the 

 prevention, control, and abatement of pollution by establishment of water 

 quality standards for interstate and coastal waters.^ The Secretary of the 

 Interior has given substantially complete approval to standards as developed 

 by 45 States, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the District of Co- 

 lumbia; standards for other States should also soon be approved.^ Primary 

 responsibility for enforcement of the standards, which vary with the nature 

 of the area and the use of the water, rests with the States. If the States fail to 

 act, however, the Federal Government may bring suit against polluters. 



The Clean Water Restoration Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-753) provided for 

 grants to States, municipalities, or intergovernmental bodies for assistance 

 in developing projects to demonstrate advanced methods of waste treatment 

 and purification and discharge control. The Act also provided for a compre- 

 hensive study of estuaries, including (a) the effects of pollution on various 

 uses of these areas, and (b) the effects of population and economic develop- 

 ment on water quality. Extensive public hearings have been held throughout 

 the country. In addition the Act calls for recommending a national program 

 for using estuaries, delineating the reponsibilities of the various levels 

 of government, and clarifying public and private interests. The study has 

 now reached the stage where the basic studies and analyses necessary to 

 back up the formal report are commencing. The bulk of the contract data 

 and the detailed report of State activities and organizations will soon be 

 available. A National Estuarine Inventory is being developed and recorded 

 on tape and will contain information on more than 850 estuaries. The report 

 to the Congress is scheduled for November 1969. 



Existing legislation provides the Corps of Engineers under the Refuse 

 Act of 1899 and the Coast Guard under the Oil Pollution Act of 1961 

 with authority to act regarding certain kinds of water pollution. 



Dozens of bills dealing with water pollution were introduced during 

 the 90th Congress reflecting the nationwide concern over water quality. 



^ The Federal Water Pollution Control Administration administers the Act and 

 engages in comprehensive planning^ provides technical services, and participates in 

 enforcement when necessary. Its programs in the Coastal Zone include technical as- 

 sistance in pollution abatement and construction and planning grants. Several hundreds 

 of millions of dollars are planned for the period FY 1968 through FY 1970. Although 

 most of these public work funds are not included in the present definition of the 

 national marine science program, these activities will have a major effect on the pre- 

 vention of pollution in the Coastal Zone. 



^ Exceptions related primarily to water temperatures and dissolved oxygen. 



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