802 
For the persent I do not wish to detract from the specific recom- 
mendations of the Commission by bringing in these details because 
in my opinion the recommendation of the Commission does adequately 
indicate the key agencies involved and will provide a desired core to 
which other activities could be added later should further consider- 
ation show there is merit in doing so. 
Let me turn now to the question of the management of the resources 
of the coastal zone. For the last 2 years (1967, 1968) I have chaired 
the Marine Council’s Consultant Panel on Multiple Uses of the Coastal 
Zone. Currently, the Travelers Research Corp. is working with the 
Nassau-Suffolk Regional Planning Board of Long Lsland on im- 
proved planning and management of Long Island’s marine resources. 
Tam also a member of NSF’s Sea-Grant Consultant Panel. 
These three activities have served to reinforce my earlier conviction 
that, although our total environment is suffering from the threefold 
pressure of population growth, urbanization, and industrialization, 
the coastal portion of that environment is in greater jeopardy than 
the rest. It is here that all pressures reach their peak intensity and con- 
flicts among competing uses are most serious. 
To use the words of the Commission : 
The coast of the United States is, in many respects, the Nation’s most valuable 
geographic feature. It is at the juncture of the land and sea that’the greater 
part of the Nation’s trade and industry takes place. The waters off shore are 
among the most biologically productive regions of the Nation. 
Furthermore, I agree with the Commission’s assessment that, to use 
their words: 
Rapidly intensifying use of coastal areas already has outrun the capabilities 
of local governments to plan their orderly development and to resolve conflicts. 
The division of responsibilities among several levels of government is unclear, 
and the knowledge and procedures for formulating sound decisions are lacking. 
That is the end of the Commission’s statement in this regard. 
Finally, I concur with the Commission’s conclusion that: 
The key to more effective use of our coastland is the introduction of a manage- 
ment system permitting conscious and informed choices among development 
alternatives, providing for proper planning, and encouraging recognition of 
the long-term importance of maintaining the quality of this productive region 
in order to ensure both its enjoyment and the sound utilization of its resources. 
The benefits and the problems of achieving rational management are apparent. 
The present Federal, State, and local machinery is inadequate. Something must 
be done. 
The proposal that follows this statement of the problem in the Com- 
mission report is, to me, the boldest, most imaginative, and most far- 
reaching recommendation in the entire report. It is likely, also, I 
believe, to be the most controversial. It is, you recall, as follows: 
The Commission recommends that a Coastal Management Act be enacted 
which will provide policy objectives for the coastal zone and authorize Federal 
grants-in-aid to facilitate the establishment of State Coastal Zone Authorities 
empowered to manage the coastal waters and adjacent land. 
T cannot better the Commission’s presentation of the nature of the 
coastal zone, its description of increasing multiple-use conflicts and 
their potentially disastrous consequences, nor can I better its develop- 
ment of the appropriate role and implementing activities of the 
coastal zone authorities. : 
