269 



Chapter 3 

 Zone 



Management of the Coastal 



The coast of the United States is, in many 

 respects, the Nation's most valuable geo- 

 graphic feature. As such, it generates critical 

 issues in use of watei-s and adjacent lands, in- 

 volving all levels of government and a great 

 variety of private users. Kapidly intensifying 

 uses, often competing with each other, have 



already outrun the capabilities of State and 

 local govermnents to plan orderly develop- 

 ment and resolve conflicts. 



The key to more effective use of our coast- 

 \i\nd is the introduction of a management 

 system which permits conscious and informed 

 choices among development alternatives and 

 provides for proper planning. The present 

 Federal, State, and local machinery is inade- 

 quate for the task of preserving the quality 

 of this productive region. 



Recommendations 



Action through 



Page 

 Ref. 



Coastal Management 



Enact a Coastal Management Act to establish policy 

 objectives and authorize grants-in-aid for State 

 Coastal Zone Authorities (CZA) to manage the 

 coastal waters and adj acent lands 



Permit each State to decide the form of organization of its 

 CZA as long as it has necessary powers, has broad 

 representation, and provides opportunities for hear- 

 ing all viewpoints 



Utilize Land and Water Conservation Fund more fully for 

 coastal land acquisition (BOR) and authorize Federal 

 guarantee of State bonds for acquiring wetlands. . . 



Place responsibility in NOAA for administering grants 

 to CZA, resolving differences, monitoring compliance 

 with plans, and developing plans for use of coastal 

 zone beyond State jurisdiction 



Leg. 



Leg. 



Admin. & Leg. 



Leg. & Org. 



57 



59 



60 



62 



Information Needed for Management 



Establish a commission to fix baselines for seaward bound- 

 aries and boundaries between States Leg. 



Effect participation in and coordination by NOAA of 



coastal surveys Admin. 



Identify areas which should be set aside for ecological 



investigations (Interior) Admin. 



Examine system for justifjnng projects and formulas for 



Federal-local cost-sharing (Corps of Engineers) Admin. 



63 

 63 

 65 

 65 



