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R. W. LARSON 



must be developed with citizen involvement. 

 Shoreline classification generally falls into 

 four categories natural, conservancy, rural, 

 and urban. The natural classification can ac- 

 complish the most substantial benefit for 

 marine birds. Provisions are also made for 

 protection of "shorelines of statewide signifi- 

 cance." Plans for these areas must give pref- 

 erence to uses favoring the public and long- 

 range goals. These shorelines cover the areas 

 between low and high tide levels on inland 

 waters and high water and the western bound- 

 ary of the State on our Pacific Ocean coast. 



Our State Environmental Policy Act, which 

 requires that environmental impact state- 

 ments be prepared for various programs and 

 developments, gives our Department an op- 

 portunity to insure that our valuable wildlife 

 resources are given consideration during the 



planning phase of the proposed project. 



The Department feels that our authorities 

 at this time are adequate to protect marine 

 bird populations and their habitat. The one 

 lacking factor, as usual, is the funding for 

 both adequate management programs and 

 habitat protection. Our marine habitat is 

 rapidly being developed for recreational 

 homesites and public use which can eliminate 

 key habitat use. A greater public awareness of 

 the needs of marine birds can be a help in pre- 

 venting destruction of their habitat; however, 

 money talks the loudest. The acquisition of 

 these key habitats is the most positive means 

 of insuring their retention. We have no solu- 

 tion at this time to the funding problem and 

 only hope that someone smarter than we are 

 can provide an acceptable solution before all 

 of our efforts become too little and too late. 



