a? 



also include all the shoreline surrounding the estuarine waters them- 

 selves and as much of the adjoining land as is necessary to regulate the 

 discharge of wastes into estuarine waters. 



Allocation of part of the estuarine resource for an exclusive single- 

 purpose use is a necessary fact of estuarine management. The shoreline 

 IS a necessary location for shipping docks and for swimming beaches, 

 but they cannot both occupy the same place on the shoreline. Similarly, 

 frequently dredged channels and oyster beds cannot occupy the same 

 space at the same time. Resolution of such conflicts can be achieved by 

 allocation of adequate space to each use through whatever institutional 

 mechanism is established. 



The evaluation of the ejffeots of prohibitive uses on the estuarine en- 

 vironment is probably the most difficult problem currently facing 

 technical management. The immediate and obvious effects of the habi- 

 tat loss associated with such uses can be measured and described fairly 

 easily, but the ultimate results of the modification of water movement 

 patterns and flushing characteristics can only be estimated in general 

 terms. 



In nearly every problem associated with prohibitive use conflicts, 

 however, the area of primary concern is the effect on the estuarine 

 ecosystem of any physical modifications proposed; the limitations of 

 knowledge mentioned above, therefore, present a critical problem in 

 present efforts to resolve prohibitive use conflicts. 



A more difficult problem arises where there is involved a massive 

 dredge or fill operation with its concomitant immediate effect on the 

 ecosystem. When such modifications are a necessary or desirable de- 

 velopment of the environment it may be necessary to forego the habitat 

 use ; however, in many cases it may be possible to create niaw, equivalent 

 habitat in a different part of the management unit, or it might be pos- 

 sible to restore part of the damaged environment. 



While the resolution of prohibitive use conflicts requires the aban- 

 doning of one use in favor of another, the potential for carrying out 

 any modifications necessary so as to increase habitat value as well as 

 economic value should be a key factor in the resolution of such 

 problems. 



Disposal of liquid wastes to the estuarine environment is the major 

 restrictive use impact of the socioeconomic environment. This use con- 

 flict can be resolved completely either by treating all wastes to such an 

 extent that they do not interfere with any other uses or else removing 

 them entirely from the environment. 



Technology exists to provide thorough treatment for nearly every 

 kind of municipal and industrial waste, and there is no reason not to 

 provide treatment sufficient to protect the environment from damage 

 and to permit other uses. Treatment requirements for different wastes 

 may vary from place to place according to local conditions, but dam- 

 age to the environment and restriction of other uses can be prevented. 



Water quality standards have been set and are now being imple- 

 mented in all the coastal States. These standards are the foundation 

 upon which the effective control of estuarine pollution rests, and they 

 provide the framework within which technical management can ef- 

 fectively operate. 



Estuarine waters even in busy harbors are used for recreational pur- 

 poses by those who cannot afford to go elsewhere, regardless of whether 



