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estuarine zone have very definite effects on the fresh water inflow to 

 the estuary. Its study programs cover many facets of estuarine re- 

 search, including physical, chemical, biological, and ecological factors. 

 The comprehensive study of the Chesapeake Bay authorized in 1965 

 but not yet undertaken, is a typical example of Corps activity in this 

 area. 

 Depart'ment of Transportation 



The Department of Transportation is the fourth Federal agency 

 whose programs have a direct and significant effect on the resources 

 and the use of the estuarine zone. 



Under this Department the Coast Guard performs a series of service 

 activities of essential importance to the beneficial use of the estuaries. 

 These include : 



(1) the enforcement of Federal laws within the navigable waters of 

 the United States ; 



(2) port security with emphasis on the control and movement of 

 vessels and on the safe movement of hazardous cargoes ; 



(3) maintenance and operation of aids to navigation and regulation 

 and administration of bridges over the navigable waters ; 



(4) search and rescue assistance to persons operating vehicles and 

 aircraft in distress ; 



(5) administration of the Federal boating Act of 1958 ; and 



(6) icebreaking. 



In regard to the resources of the estuarine zone, those Coast Guard 

 activities having the greatest effect are the enforcement activities 

 concerned with oil pollution control, as provided under the Oil Pol- 

 lution Act of 1924, as amended, and its attempts to find ways to ease 

 or eliminate the unavoidable pollution. The Coast Guard now has an 

 active research program in oil pollution abatement, containment, source 

 control, and recovery of oil spills. Its role in the ocean data buoy system 

 program could assist in inshore pollution monitoring at a later date. 



Also under the Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway 

 Administration's Bureau of Public Roads is concerned with estuarine 

 resources because many of its highways cross and provide access to 

 estuaries. The Federal Aviation Administration's activities in the con- 

 struction and operation of airports encroach upon the estuaries and 

 have impact on the surrounding environment. 



CATEGORY 2 : PROGRAMS HAVING INDIRECT OR RELATED EFFECTS 



In this category are the programs and activities of the Department 

 of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Health, Edu- 

 cation, and Welfare. In general, certain of their programs do have 

 direct and beneficial effect in the estuarine zone but they have it in- 

 directly, a result of programs directed towards the land rather than the 

 water areas of the estuarine zone. 



