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is the first in the United States to receive a master of laws' degree 

 specializing in ocean law. 



A law was passed that directs the Commissioner of Commercial and 

 Sports Fisheries to conduct a study of the estuaries of North Carolina.. 

 A comprehensive coastal zone plan, you might say, is the short_ title. 



The title may be short, but if we take the word "comprehensive" in 

 a literal sense, we have a study of tremendous scope. We have set up 

 meetings with the Boards of County Commissioners in each of the 2& 

 coastal counties of North Carolina. 



In addition, we have asked that liaison agents from various State 

 agencies that have activities going on in the coastal zone be named 

 to work with the Department of Conservation and Development in 

 putting together the comprehensive coastal zone use plan. 



Twenty agencies were contacted. All of these agencies have desig- 

 nated liaison officers. We have held meetings and explained the purpose 

 of the legislation, and asked for their initial contributions. So far we 

 have received excellent cooperation. 



The completion report for this comprehensive plan is due in 1973,, 

 and will include recommendations of needed legislation, funds, areas 

 that need to be purchased, and all the items that must go into a sen- 

 sible and workable plan that will result in maximum benefits from our 

 coastal zone. 



A staff of biologists, clerical help, draftsmen, and support personnel 

 were provided by legislation to help with the estuarine study, which 

 will eventually determine the essential areas of State acquisition. 



We feel that an estuarine system should be established wherein 

 utilization and development can be accomplished while maintaining-^ 

 the quality of the environment. There was $500,000 appropriated and 

 earmarked for the acquisition of estuarine lands, as a start in this 

 program. 



Another activity which occurred during this past legislative ses- 

 sion was to remold the functions of our seashore commission. The 

 seashore commission was originally set up to bring into State owner- 

 ship the lands that would be eventually transferred to the Department 

 of the Interior to establish a National Seashore. The seashore com- 

 mission, as originally intended, served its purpose. 



It was abolished this year, and then reinstated within the Depart- 

 ment of Conservation and Development. Its function now, as spelled 

 out in the legislation, is to guide orderly industrial and recreational 

 development, and other activities that take place in the coastal zone 

 of North Carolina, as well as serve as a liaison agency between the 

 State and Federal Government in coastal matters. 



This is a comprehensive and parallel operation to the coastal zone 

 plan that we are compiling. As commissioner of North Carolina 

 marine fisheries, the seashore commission and the estuarine studies^ 

 and permits section are under my supervision. These two sections will 

 work in very close harmony in planning for the future use of our 

 coastal zone. 



We also have the marine science council, established during the 

 past administration, and given statutory authority by the last session 

 of legislature. Congressman Lennon was very interested in this council 

 and worked with State officials. 



The council was formed, and as a result of council meetings and 

 discussions, a program for marine science development for the State 



