72 



VI. A NEW CREATION 



A. A federal umirella 



A new creation is proposed. This creation will be able to cope with the tremen- 

 dous overlapping jurisdictional problems and will also be able to realistically 

 materialize upon the State and Local experience and closeness to the various 

 regions. The gravamen of the concept involves a Federal-State creation — 

 "a duet". A program utilizing a simultaneous Federal-State marriage — a Federal- 

 State partnership. Representation, participation and support from all levels of 

 Government. The concept is good and should be truly utilized; it must, on the 

 other hand, not be weak, participation must be mandatory, guidelines clear 

 and rigid — flexible and effective. 



The Federal umbrella must exist for eiTective coordination of the many 

 Federal Agencies presently relating to the estuary, and the setting of national 

 objectives and guidelines. Inter-State action and local participation, on the other 

 hand, can not be usuri>ed or diminished. 



B. Area 



The area in question shall constitute all of the estuarine and coastal zone of 

 the country including the Great Lakes Areas. This mass will then be divided 

 into regions or districts. For purposes of this presentation five regions are 

 suggested: (1) Great Lakes Region; (2) North-Eastern Coastal Region; (3) 

 South-Ea stern Coastal Region ; (4) Gulf Region and (5) Western Coastal Region. 

 The Regions should be divided upon such factors as area, common problems and 

 conditions and studies, reports and recommendations of the scientific and the 

 technical world. 



Within each region shall be sub-regions, basins or local areas. These to be 

 divided with the same thory, purpose and intent ; with the same reflection of 

 the scientific, social technological and conservation needs of a society. 



C Adminisf ration and control 



The administration and control of this program is suggested to follow the same 

 regional pyramid effect. Participation must be mandatory, obligations and 

 responsibilities defined and enforcement provision forceful. A weak structure 

 will give birth to a weak program and plan — a weak result. 



Each Region will organize in accordance with basic guidelines providing for 

 repi'esentation from each State within the Region. The method of selection, 

 the internal administration of the regional authority, creation of sub-regions, 

 form and functions shall be State and Local controlled. State Authorities within 

 the Region varying from strong central State-controlled authorities to bi-eounty 

 or inter-municipal groups should result. 



All Regions combined constitute the whole. The total program shall bo directed 

 and coordinated from the top. The new creation shall be a strong authority 

 with representation for key factors. This Federal-State mechanism would not 

 be a nevf branch of the existing Agencies, nor would it constitute a new 

 agency. Its composition would consist of both major levels ; i.e.. State and Federal. 

 The State interests would be represented by a representative selected by and 

 from each of the five regional authorities, recognizing both economic and con- 

 servation interests. The Federal interests to be represented by a member of 

 the various agencies or bureaus presently dealing with various aspects of the 

 problem, such as the Departments of Interior. Commerce, Defense, Transporta- 

 tion and Health, Education and Welfare. Thus a strong factor of Federal Agency 

 coordination will also arise. 



This authority shall, from within its membership, choose its own officers, 

 consultants and employees. It would implement the express statutory purposes 

 and mission of the body. It would set and define the National objectives and 

 policy guidelines. In addition to coordinating the Federal activities, it would 

 coordinate the various regional master plans, resolve conflicting plans and 

 regulations, and provide a continuing inventory of research and studies ! A 

 federal Interface ! All to result in a well balanced overall environmental syvStem. 

 Its planning and regulatory and acquisition function will stimulate the ultimate 

 realization of a national master plan of the estuarine and coastal zone managed 

 through an effective structure. 



In addition to the normal general powers of an authority, necessary to 

 execute its mission, this body should have extensive redevelopment, renewal, 

 condemnation and acquisition power. Obviously, the implementation of any 

 national master plan would be questionable without this. 



