60 



such statements is the idea that the Federal Government should allocate 

 or mandate port activity as to type, scope, and location of all port- 

 related facilities and that this is a process superior to the benefits of 

 healthy and vigorous competition which have in reality spurred the 

 pioneering of new techniques in developing the ports of this country, 

 particularly since World War II. 



The provision of satisfactory facilities and services will be the 

 best way to determine which of our ports will serve as gateways for 

 the Nation's foreign trade. 



It is a fact that each port is a driving economic force in its local 

 hinterland and a great portion of the Nation's industry is centered 

 in the seaports and their surrounding areas. Significantly, almost every 

 city in the United States with a population exceeding 100,000 is located 

 on navigable water. 



I have felt it important to express these views on behalf of the port 

 industry as the Subcommittee on Oceanography and the Congress 

 give consideration to coastal zone management legislation. So, too, 

 we hope that the States themselves will keep in mind the vital impor- 

 tance of ports to their economy, employment and general welfare. 



I respectfully urge, therefore, that any coastal zone management 

 legislation which may be passed by the Congress and the indi^ddual 

 States include appropriate recognition of the importance and responsi- 

 bilities of commercial ports in their handling of the Nation's ocean- 

 borne trade and authorize representation of these ports on the member- 

 ship and advisory groups of coastal zone authorities. 



Mr. Sprague. Thank you very much, sir. 



The gentleman in the second row. 



Mr. Knauss. I would like to address myself to the remarks made 

 by Mr. Gregg for a moment. 



I am not sure that there is very much disagreement with the opinion 

 expressed by the Commission and that of Mr. Gregg. Let me just 

 outline the reasons why we, on the Commission, went the path of not 

 asking formal Federal involvement. 



It seems to us that the most important aspect of the problem was the 

 development of strong coastal zone authorities in each State. Granted 

 that the jurisdictional responsibility is a complex one for local. State, 

 ancl Federal authorities. At some point there will have to be Federal 

 review, both for the national interest ; that is, the public national in- 

 terest, as well as the Federal interest, which includes the various statu- 

 tory responsibilities of Federal agencies. 



It seemed to us that any coastal zone authority would want to have, 

 and would have, cooperation in their planning with the Federal 

 agencies that are involved. But it did not seem to us that it is an all-or- 

 nothing situation. 



It seemed to us probably better not to have a formal involvement 

 because at some point you have the Federal Government sitting in 

 review of these matters. It seems to me it might not be in the best 

 interest of the Federal Government to be involved formally with the 

 planning and then also be involved in a review capacity. 11*^13 for this 

 reason that we went the way we did. 



Mr. Spsague. Thank you very much. 



