468 



Section 5. Evaluation of the Chesapeake Bay 



In the introduction, the various elements that should be considered 

 in any comprehensive plan of management were listed and the evalua- 

 tion of management in the Chesapeake Bay that follows is made in 

 reference to those elements. 



POLICY AND objectives 



First, in regard to mutually agreed-upon policy and objectives, some 

 exist at the State level; but it would appear that an overall national 

 policy coupled with objectives should be Established at the national 

 level. There is need for such guidance not only for State management, 

 but to provide better objectives for interstate programs of 

 management. 



legislative authorization 



At the State level Maryland's recent creation of its Department of 

 Natural Resources has very likely produced an excellent start in this 

 direction. Nevertheless, because of the many unsolved problems, 

 stronger State legislation may still be needed. As was pointed out in 

 chapter 1, a study of the Federal programs, a stronger, more effective 

 Federal role is needed to provide not only much greater technical 

 assistance to the States, but also to provide the impetus and the objec- 

 tives for better and more effective management. A review of the Chesa- 

 peake only verifies this. Progress is apparent, but legislative action 

 is needed to provide a stronger and more far-reaching program. 



development or basic knowledge 



There exists a reasonably good understanding of the knowledge gaps 

 that need to be filled to provide a better grade of technical knowledge. 

 Research goes forward on many fronts and appears to be well directed 

 toward the principal problems of the bay. Augmentation of research 

 and study is no doubt needed if we are to stay ahead of the developing 

 problems. A better coordination of the Federal research and study 

 programs, possibly through the establishment of a multibureau/ 

 department estuarine laboratory devoted both to overall study of the 

 bay and to its individual problems is needed. The Chesapeake Bay 

 Research Council at the State level is an excellent vehicle for coordina- 

 tion and cooperative exchange of information. 



PLANNING and IMPLEMENTATION 



As for planning, there has been much of it at many levels, but as 

 yet there are no overall comprehensive plans for the administration 

 of the bay. The State of Maryland is moving in this direction. Vir- 

 ginia's long-range study will help. The Corps of Engineers' study au- 

 thorized in 1965 is not yet properly funded. It could, if carried to com- 

 pletion, include the authorized hydraulic model and give much assist- 

 ance to State comprehensive plans and their implementation. 



ACTIVE ADMINISTRATION — REGULATION, CONTROL, AND COORDINATION 



It can only be said, that, although progress is being made, regula- 

 tion and control are fragmented and less than fully effective. What is 



