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that commission on the future of our Nation in the marine environ- 

 ment. 



The final report of the Commission, "Our Nation and the Sea," 

 together vrith the several panel reports, constitute a monumental 

 undertaking of exceptional caliber and value. Recognition should be 

 given to the unselfish expenditure of time and effort by the members 

 of the Commission in this service to their country. 



First, I wish to endorse the prepared statement presented to you 

 by Dr. John Calhoun on behalf of the Committee on Oceanography 

 of the National Academy of Sciences. My purpose here is to amplify 

 certain areas of that statement and to comment on those areas of the 

 Commission report which fall in areas within which I have a particular 

 competence and experience. 



For the past 20 years I have concentrated my professional activities 

 in studies of the estuarine and coastal marine environment. During 

 that time I have also contributed to the efforts of my present home 

 State to properly manage the multiple uses of the estuarine and coastal 

 environment falling under State jurisdiction. I currently serve on 

 some half-dozen State boards, commissions, and special study com- 

 mittees concerned with natural resources. 



I have also on occasion been called upon to give advice to other 

 States in regard to management of the coastal marine environment. 



My activities have therefore been closely related to much of the 

 subject matter contained in chapter 3, "Management of the Coastal 

 Zone," of the Commission report. 



I strongly endorse the specific concept of joint Federal-State re- 

 sponsibility for the coastal zone as stated in the Commission report. 

 The actual management functions should, as recommended by the 

 Commission, remain a State responsibility. The Federal role should 

 be to effectively use the various means recommended by the Commis- 

 sion to encourage the coastal States to strengthen their administrative 

 structure for management of the coastal zone and to aid these States 

 in attaining the knowledge of this environment necessary for wise 

 management. 



Specifically, I endorse the Commission's recommendation for en- 

 actment of a Coastal Management Act to 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 lands. 



Man's impact on water quality and other properties of the coastal 

 zone influencing the value and character of man's use of this environ- 

 ment is controlled to a large degree by decisions regarding use of the 

 lands adjacent to the estuaries and other coastal waters, even the use 

 of the lands in major watersheds supplying the surface runoff to 

 estuaries and other coastal waters. A number of States are in the 

 process of consolidating their management of the natural resources. 

 But even in those States which have taken the most advanced steps 

 in this direction, considerable division of authority exists, especially 

 with respect to use of adjacent lands. Action by Congress as recom- 

 monded by the Commission would provide a much needed direction 

 to State action toward establishment of a consolidated policy, or the 

 national sea-grant program as it exists now should have prime responsi- 

 bility for the management structure for the coastal zone. 



