555 



2. A centralized system for the collection, organization, and dis- 

 semination of estuarine management information in a form di- 

 rectly useful to managers. 



3. A program of applied research investigations designed to 

 increase knowledge needed for management. 



BASIC DATA COLLECTION AND ROUTINE MONITORING 



The object of this activity is to establish and maintain a nationwide 

 program df basic data collection and environmental monitoring in the 

 estuarine zone of the United States. 



Many different agencies operate routine monitoring programs cover- 

 ing limited aspects of the estuarine environment. Each of these oper- 

 ates for a different purpose and is often uncoordinated with other 

 efforts. Frequently, this is simple because there is no mechanism for 

 interchanging information rapidly and efficiently at the working level 

 so that programs of mutual benefit can be readily established. 



The program recommended here should not compete with existing 

 monitoring programs, but through providing a valuable service, should 

 stimulate the interest of other Federal, State, local, and private en- 

 tities in working cooperatively toward a nationwide program that will 

 make use of the full capabilities of existing monitormg activities. 



A nationwide environmental monitoring system can exist only if 

 there is centralized knowledge of the program associated with respon- 

 sibility and authority for implementation. The routine data collection 

 efforts of Federal agencies, particularly within the Department of the 

 Interior, can be organized into a unified nationwide estuarine monitor- 

 ing system and coordinated with similar State efforts through amal- 

 gamating into one organization the necessary responsibility and 

 authority for carrying out such a program without interference with 

 the assigned missions of any agency, either Federal or State. 



Within the framework of a unified sampling network, an effective 

 nationwide estaurine monitoring program can be developed from exist- 

 ing monitoring programs by combining with this activity the cen- 

 tralized authority to supplement ongoing programs by : 



1. providing to Federal agencies funds specifically allocated 

 for broadening their existing pertinent programs ; 



2. supporting State programs with funds or contract support 

 for environmental monitoring ; 



3. carrying out additional monitoring activities through in- 

 house capability or by contract ; 



4. supporting research and development activities designed to 

 improve monitoring capability. 



This program should concern itself with the broadest possible scale 

 of environmental information, including all categories of information 

 incorporated into the national estuarine inventory. While water qual- 

 ity, pollution source, and ecological data are badly needed and require 

 major effort, there should also be regularly scheduled monitoring of 

 other aspects of the estuarine environment such as recreational demand 

 and use. 



The basic data collection and routine monitoring program should 

 be an integral part of the overall management information system 

 required to support management efforts. 



