Figure lll-l — Population Growth in Nation's Coastal Zone 



(FIGURES IN MILLIONS OF PEOPLE) 



and government at all levels — local, State, and Federal. Despite the obvious 

 advantages to be gained, however, coastal lands and waters have not often 

 been subjected to effective planning. In too many cases development has 

 been oriented toward immediate and single-purpose uses of short-range 

 economic advantage, with little thought being given to broader, long-range 

 considerations. 



These varied, growing, and often conflicting demands on the coastal 

 zone have already created, in many areas, an urgent need to correct past 

 abuses and insure optimum usage in the future. 



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. For purposes of clarity, their various functions and activities are 

 presented below in a summarized and abridged form : 



Department of the Interior: 



Office of Water Resources Research. 



Administers programs in the study of water supply and of resources 

 which affect water. 

 Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. 



Carries out programs to maintain maximum fisheries resource 

 production, and to maintain a vigorous fishing industry. 

 Bureau of Sports Fisheries and Wildlife. 



Conducts programs to assure the perpetuation and enjoyment of 

 sportfish and wildlife resources. 

 National Park Service. 



Administers and promotes the use of natural, historical, and recrea- 

 tional areas in the national park system. 



32 



