CHAPTER 1. ROLE AND PROGRAMS OF FEDERAL 



AGENCIES 



This chapter describes the current Federal role and programs in the 

 estuarine zone and identifies the needs to be met to provide for a 

 stronger more effective Federal program. 



The current Federal role as such, has grown over a period of many 

 years and has as its basis the national interest which extends beyond 

 State borders. The role is based on Federal legislation which itself has 

 developed over a period of years to meet many specific needs seen 

 and acted upon by Congress. It has also grown as one of concurrent 

 jurisdiction with the States who exercise the primary authority in the 

 estuarine zone. Even so the Federal role is a vital one and is essential 

 to the preservation of national interests. Broadly speaking these are : 

 (1) the protection and development of the Federal interest in the 

 natural resources of the estuarine zone, (2) commerce and navigation 

 and, (3) national security. 



Section 1. Current Federal Role in the Estuarine Zone 



The description of the Federal program that follows is a more 

 complete picture of how the Federal role is implemented. In very brief 

 form the role itself has come to be : 



(1) The provision of normal Federal projects such as navigation 

 channels, flood control and protective works, aids to navigation, 

 weather service including tides and currents, mapping and charting 

 both for navigation and resources, and port security and shipping 

 control. 



(2) Grants and loans to States and other entities for planning, ac- 

 quisition and development, for research and study, and for facilities 

 construction. 



(3) Technical advice and assistance through conference and con- 

 sultation, mutual assistance projects, and joint projects and studies. 



(4) The preparation of broad studies and investigations, including 

 inventories and data collection necessary to meet the requirements of 

 Federal programs. 



(5) Acquisition and development of selected sites to preserve and 

 protect them for the future. 



(6) The exercising of regulatory authority in accordance with cur- 

 rent Federal law and statute. These authorities include the issuance of 

 permits, licenses, and other regulations governing certain permissible 

 uses or modification of estuarine resources. The^ include also the 

 enforcement of water quality standards and various other controls 

 over pollution, and the enforcement of Federal law within the niavi- 

 gable waters of the United States. 



(7) The exercise of coordinating activities, for the most part 

 through close work with State counterpart organizations and at the 



(344) 



