the Commonwealtli of Puerto Rico. I wish to take this opportunity 

 to welcome each of you to our Nation's capital. I suspect that your 

 interest in coastal zone management is much the same as that of my 

 State — Maryland — because of our borders on the Chesapeake Bay, one 

 of the Nation's great estuaries. And for that reason, I am particularly 

 pleased to note that Mr. Sachs and Mr. Capper, from the Maryland 

 Department of Natural Resources, are present here this morning. 



It is my pleasure to open the Conference on Coastal Zone Manage- 

 ment. As you know, the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries 

 has taken an active interest in learning how man should respond to 

 the complex problems in the zone where the land meets the sea. 



We know that as population crowds coastal areas, pollution of rivers 

 and estuaries increases. Recreation space for urban centers becomes 

 scarce. Location of industry in near proximity to transportation calls 

 for large portions of coastal land for factories and port facilities. Yet, 

 at the same time, space must be reserved to insure protection of breed- 

 ing grounds for fish and waterfowl, and also for public use. 



Some uses of the coastal zones are compatible. AVliat we need is the 

 machinery in government to tell us which uses can live together in 

 the same space. "Where different uses cannot be accommodated, we need 

 the means to make a logical selection among them. 



We believe, as did the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, 

 and Development, that the problems of our coastal zones can be solved 

 only by the people most directly affected. The States and the munici- 

 palities, through their normal political processes, must remain the 

 focus for coastal planning. 



The Congress and the executive branch cannot successfully un ler- 

 take this critical business. What the Federal Government can do, how- 

 ever, is to assist the States to do the job by providing for the coordina- 

 tion of State and Federal programs, and by assisting the State- to 

 form effective organizations for management, with adequate f unc Ing. 



There are many ways that the Federal Government could become 

 involved. There are different methods for funds to be distributed, and a 

 multitude of possible guidelines for administration. 



To begin the arduous task of sorting out these alternatives, we are 

 turning to you. Mr. Lernion suggested that it would be helpful to 

 convene this meeting to receive your viewpoints. While this is certainly 

 an unusual way for a Congressional committee to proceed, I believe 

 that it is a sound and productive way to gather and distill new 

 information. 



I look forward to receiving the benefit of your knowledge. I welcome 

 you to this important conference, and assure you of our strong and 

 continuing interest. 



I would like to turn the program over at this time to my colleague, 

 Congressman Lennon. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Oceanog- 

 rapliy, he has worked tirelessly to bring a truly national program of 

 the oceans into reality. This conference is an example of his energy, 

 and I might add here, that of his right arm, Thomas A. Clingan, 

 professor and many other titles, but familiarly known to our col- 

 leagues and to the staff as Tom. 



Mr. Lennon will also introduce to you his colleag-ues, who are pres- 

 ent. I hope that you will find this meeting to be productive and 

 worthwhile and I want to personally thank you for coming. 



