57 



in solving common problems, and to effect 

 strong interstate cooperation. 



In varying degrees, the States possess the 

 resources, administrative machinery, enforce- 

 ment powers, and constitutional authority on 

 wliich to build. However, they will need Fed- 

 eral assistance and support, and the Federal 

 (lovernment must assure the protection of na- 

 tional interests in the coastal zone. 



The Federal Government cannot and, of 

 course, should not compel a State to develop 

 a special organization to deal with its coastal 

 management problems. However, it can en- 

 courage such actions, provide guidelines for 

 tlie functions of such organizations, facilitate 

 Federal cooperation with State authorities, 

 and provide appropriate assistance. 



The Commission recommends that a 

 Coastal Management Act be enacted 

 which will provide policy objectives for 

 the coastal zone and authorize Federal 

 grants-in-aid to facilitate the establish- 

 ment of State Coastal Zone Authorities 

 empowered to manage the coastal waters 

 and adjacent land. 



To assist the States in developing coastal 

 zone management programs, the Commission 

 profxises that the Federal Government meet 

 one-half of the operating costs of the new 

 State Authorities during the first 2 years 

 of their operation. Matching grants should 

 l)e provided for planning studies, either 

 through funds such as appropriated pursuant 

 to Section 701 of the Housing Act of 1954 for 

 State planning. Title III of the Water Re- 

 sources Planning Act, or through new legis- 

 lation. Substantial technical assistance can 

 he provided by Federal personnel. Oppor- 

 tunities for other Federal assistance, dis- 

 cussed later in this chapter, also exist under 

 the Land and AVater Conservation Fund Act, 



the fish and wildlife restoration acts, the 

 Clean Water Kestoration Act of 1966, and 

 urban renewal and economic development 

 legislation. 



Functions and Powers of the State 

 Coastal Zone Authorities 



The key functions of the State Coastal 

 Zone Authorities would be to coordinate plans 

 and uses of coastal waters and adjacent lands 

 and to regulate and develop these areas. The 

 Coastal Zone Authorities shovdd draw upon 

 all available knowledge of the physical, bio- 

 logical, and economic characteristics of the 

 State coasts and estuaries. The Coastal Zone 

 Laboratories recommended in Chapter 2 

 would support the Coastal Authorities by 

 conducting research and special studies and 

 by helping to develop necessary technology. 



The gi-eat diversity of resources, scope, and 

 activities of coastal State governments will 

 prevent adoption of a unifonn administra- 

 ti\e approach to State Coastal Zone Author- 

 ities. In some States a single Authority might 

 appropriately be given jurisdiction over the 

 State's entire coast ; in others, several groups 

 might be established under a single Authority 

 within a State to deal with separate estuarine 

 areas. The management of interstate estua- 

 ries will require agreements to be developed 

 among adjacent States to delegate at least 

 limited management authority to an inter- 

 state body. The form of the State Authority 

 may vary from a volunteer commission with 

 a small staff to an agency like the New York 

 Port Authority with major development au- 

 thority buttressed by the power to issue bonds. 



The guiding principles for the Authorities 

 should include the concept of fostering the 

 widest possible variety of beneficial uses so 

 as to maximize net social return. When neces- 

 sary, public hearings should be held to allow- 

 all interested parties to express views before 



