610 



divided into regions corresponding to certain conditions. The biologi- 

 cal-physical-chemical properties of estuaries should determine the def- 

 inition of the regions. Positive estuaries along the Pacific coast from 

 central California northward would comprise one region, the negative 

 estuaries of southern California another region, the highly variable 

 estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico another region, the estuaries of the 

 Southeast States another region, and the estuaries of the Northeast a 

 fifth region. Chesapeake Bay, south Florida and the islands of the 

 Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii, are each unique enough to be separate 

 regions also. These are roughly the biophysical regions which are de- 

 scribed and utilized as a basis of information presented earlier in this 

 report. Each region should have a complete inventory of what has been 

 done in the past. Each region should develop a program whereby it 

 would be determined what the estuarine resources of that area are now, 

 what changes may occur to increase these resources, and what changes 

 may be allowed in future development without damaging the current 

 and potential resources of the region. 



The need for public planning and regulation 



The public sector must take the initiative by developing plans and 

 enforceable regulations to deal with increasing demands for alteration 

 of land, water, and estuaries, a demand now largely in the hands of the 

 private sector. Strong and competent organizations, such as State or 

 interstate compact authorities, are required to administer these areas, 

 with Federal financial assistance where appropriate, and always on 

 the basis of sound scientific, legal, economic, and social criteria. In most 

 cases, such machinery is not available, nor is the data base on which 

 such machinery must function. Such organizations must be staffed 

 with people competent to analyze and develop quantitative environ- 

 mental models for evaluation alternatives capable of developing com- 

 prehensive plans for carrying out complete regional programs, or must 

 have ready access to such skills through a core of consultants, either 

 Federal, multi- State, or private. 



The need for estuarine criteria 



A system of criteria must be developed to encourage adequate stand- 

 ards throughout the country covering the allowable extent and condi- 

 tions of further physical or other alterations of estuarine natural 

 values. Such Federal criteria might well employ the concept used in 

 the development of our water quality standards. In other words, the 

 Federal Government could judge the adequac;v of criteria for the tech- 

 nical management of estuarine areas to qualify for any Federal aid 

 program. Additional Federal funds might be made available to en- 

 courage even higher standards or to assure nondegradation policies. 



Key, manageTnent roles 



The problem of estuarine pollution are essentially of an ecological 

 nature. The resources which we are most anxious to exploit and the 

 nuisances which we wish to prevent are primarily biologically based. 

 The technical management of estuarine systems must be consistent 

 with natural processes; biological, physical, and chemical. Man's ac- 

 tivities must be fitted into the natural system — not forced upon it. All 

 too frequently, the natural environment is mechanically manipulated 



