Another study ^ contrasted the problems of multiple use of the coastal zone 

 in two extreme cases — Lake Superior and Lake Erie. 



During 1969, the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration in co- 

 operation with the Coast Guard increased surveillance of the Great Lakes 

 for water pollution, gave nearly $16 million in grants for the construction 

 of urban sewage treatment plants, and joined with eight States in pollution 

 enforcement actions. Major research efforts concentrated on finding ways of 

 cutting down nutrient input which contributes to eutrophication. It also 

 put its resources to work on combating DDT, thermal pollution, feed lot 

 wastes and stream water runoff. During 1969, the Administration invoked 

 the Oil Pollution Act of 1924 for the first time in the Great Lakes to remove 

 thousands of gallons of oil from a ship abandoned in Lake Huron. 



A pilot dredging study investigating the effects of dredging practices on 

 water quality was completed by the Corps of Engineers. Studies to determine 

 the effect of the disposal of polluted dredged materials in the open waters of 

 the Great Lakes were continued by the Corps of Engineers with FWPCA 

 directed primarily at determining the need, feasibility, and cost of various 

 alternative procedures for disposal, containment, or treatment of solids re- 

 moved during a dredging operation. The Corps also initiated a program of 

 measurements of wave forces on monolithic breakwaters in the Great Lakes. 

 Development of engineering and technology continued on the design and 

 construction of works to control lake levels and to compensate for larger 

 navigation channels. 



The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries completed a 4-year pesticide moni- 

 toring program to assess pesticide contamination of estuarine and Great 

 Lakes fishes. Results show that the threat to fishery resources is chronic, 

 affecting reproduction in the food chain. The pesticide monitoring program 

 provided much data to the Bureau and other agencies to determine the 

 steps to be taken to control pesticide pollution of the Great Lakes. It also 

 provided information techniques suitable for reducing the pesticide con- 

 tent of various species. This undoubtedly prevented a more drastic decline 

 in use of Great Lakes fish during the increased concern over pesticides 

 caused by the Food and Drug Administration seizure of Lake Michigan coho 

 salmon. 



Close surv^eillance is being made by BCF scientists of the response of fish 

 populations to changes in the aquatic environment of Lakes Michigan and 

 Erie. As an example, the Bureau in collaboration with the Department of 

 Fisheries of Canada continued work on sea lamprey control under the 

 direction of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Intensive studies of the 

 distribution of the herring-like alewife, and development of methods to 

 predict and reduce the intensity of heavy dieoffs were carried out. 



Enhancing Water Quality 



Maintenance of water quality is one of the most critical problems in the 

 coastal zone. Pollution alters the ecological balance, and frequently alters 



^ "The Role of Marine Sciences in the Multiple Use of the Coastal Zone of Lake 

 Erie and Lake Superior." 



39 



