17 



The intent of the program therefore is to strengthen the States' 

 capabilities, lessen the need for Federal intervention, and facilitate 

 integration of planning, conservation, and development programs 

 among diverse public and private interests. 



With regard to coastal laboratories, steps will be taken toward 

 establishment of coastal laboratories, supported by the Federal Gov- 

 ernment, but strengthening and consolidating existing facilities 

 wherever possible, intending to provide information on resources de- 

 velopment, water quality, and environmental factors to assist State 

 authorities and others in coastal management. Existing facilities will 

 be strengthened and consolidated as necessary to provide capabilities 

 to— 



Develop a basic understanding and description of the region- 

 ally differentiated ecology of our 13,000-mile coastline ; 



Anticipate and assess the impact on the ecology of alternative 

 land uses, of pollution, and of alterations to the land-water 

 interfaces ; 



Operate coastal monitoring networks ; and 



Perform analyses needed for these State-managed coastal 

 authorities. 



Establishment of these capabilities will be phased with the devel- 

 opment of coastal management plans to foster State access to 

 ■environmental data and research capabilities. 



With regard to the Great Lakes, the step that is being proposed now 

 is to examine the feasibility of restoring the Great Lakes with tech- 

 nological as well as witli regulatory mechanisms by a pilot study 

 using a lake of manageable size. Existing environmental technology 

 and techniques will be tested, including pollution measuring devices, 

 methods of artificial destratification by aeration, mixing, and thermal 

 upwelling techniques, thermal pollution control and enriclunent, arti- 

 ficial bottom coating, filtering, harvesting of living plants and ani- 

 mals, and restocking of fishery resources. 



The program is intended to reinforce current investigations, and 

 bring together additional competence from industry, academic insti- 

 tutions, and Federal laboratories. 



The fourth one I realize is of interest to just one State but neverthe- 

 less concerned with coastal ecology. It is focused on the arctic environ- 

 ment. Here is a program directed to understanding better the polar 

 icepack, including its impact on transportation and global weather 

 mid climate ; the polar magnetic field and its effects on communication ; 

 geological structures underlying the arctic lands and polar seas both 

 as potential mineral sites and as hazards to construction and resource 

 development; balance of the arctic ecosystem; the presence of perma- 

 frost; and slow degradation of liquid and solid wastes under arctic 

 conditions. 



Behavior and physiology of man in this environment also will re- 

 ceive increased attention. Initial emphasis will be on strengthening 

 and broadening arctic research capabilities. Consideration will also 

 be directed to formulating an overall policy framework for arctic- 

 related activities. 



The administration has further determined that these programs are 

 not just desirable, not just important, but they are urgent. The ad- 

 ministration is studying the Commission's proposal to establish a new 

 independent agency, but it was decided not to wait for that resolution 



