311 



movement patterns and flushing characteristics can only l)e estimated 

 in general terms. The need for researcli on such problems is discussed 

 in part VI, chapter 3; until a sufficient amount of knowledge is ac- 

 cumulated, however, the only useful guide is comparison with occur- 

 rences in similar systems. 



In nearly every problem associated with prohibitive use conflicts, 

 hoAA'ever, the area of primary concern is the effect on the estuarine 

 ecosystem of any physical modifications proponed; the limitations of 

 knowledge outlined above, therefore, present a critical pro))lem in 

 present efforts to resolve prohibitive use conflicts. 



The great amount of modification that has already occurred in the 

 estuarine zone has already resolved the problem of use conflicts in 

 some estuarine sytems by preempting or usurping a part of the 

 estuarine resource for a single purpose, in many cases making modifica- 

 tions too expensive or otherwise too difficult to change in spite of their 

 effects on the local environment. 



There is little that can be done directly to correct environmental 

 damage associated with past changes, but future demands for pro- 

 hibitive use in a management unit can be resolved through applica- 

 tion of past experience. 



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. 



Similarlj^, frequently dredged channels and oyster beds cannot oc- 

 cupy 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. 



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 devel- 

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

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

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

 possible to restore part of the damaged environment. 



For example, in recent negotiations concerning the dredging of 

 phosphate rock along the Georgia coast, the company involved pro- 

 posed to rebuild over 3,000 acres of the marsh that would be destroyed 

 in the mining operation. 



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. 



RESOLUTIOlSr OF RESTRICTIVE USE CONFLICTS 



Disposal of liquid wastes to the estuarine enviroment is the major 

 restrictive use impact of the socioeconomic environment. This use 

 conflict 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. 



42-847 O - 70 - 21 



