61 



A tourist enjoys the Xationul Park 

 Sfrvirr'n iindcricntcr trail at Buck 

 Island, the Virgin Islands. Pro- 

 vision of such recreational facilities 

 is part of the Nation's broad- 

 ranging interests in the coastal zone. 



in order to predict and to control man's effects 

 on tliis environment. A related objective is 

 to protect and even to restore the environ- 

 ment. 



The multiplicity of Federal interests calls 

 for Federal review of proposed State plans 

 and their implementation and for Federal 

 intercession if a Coa.stal Zone Authority fails 

 to safeguard national interests. The Federal 

 Govermnent should not make decisions for 

 the State Authority, but it should oversee the 



Authority and withdraw fuiuling support 

 and delegation of sjjecilic Federal functions 

 if the Authority performs inadequately. 



Federal review is possible at several 

 stages — when the State first proposes a par- 

 ticular type of management autliority ; when 

 the comprehensive coastal plan is submitted 

 by the Authority; and, if the plan is ap- 

 proved, when further grants, contracts for 

 acquisition and development, or bond guar- 

 antees are proposed. 



Federal responsibilities for dealing with 

 State Authorities should be centralized to as- 

 sure that the Federal Government speaks 

 with a single voice on coastal zone matters. 

 The Commission concludes that the new 

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency 

 (NOAA) would offer a broader and more 

 balanced perspective in meeting competing 

 use problems than an alternative agency. In 

 addition, the new agency could assist the 

 State Authorities in research, environmental 

 monitoring, safety, and enforcement func- 

 tions. NOAA's commitment to more effective 

 use of the seas would be fully compatible 

 with the mission of the Coastal Zone Au- 

 thorities. 



Coordination of Federal and State roles 

 must be especially close in relating the navi- 

 gation and flood control programs of the U.S. 

 Army Corps of Engineers and the resource 

 management programs of the Department of 

 the Interior to the plans of the State Coastal 

 Zone Authorities. For example, the Authori- 

 ties' land and water use plans must be con- 

 sistent with coastal water quality standards 

 established by State pollution agencies under 

 the cognizance of the Department of the In- 

 terior. The Dejiartment of the Interior's 

 continuing recreation, wildlife, and minerals 

 development plans in coastal areas must be 

 accommodated by State Authorities in their 

 planning, regulatory, land acquisition, and 

 development functions. 



