3 



areas, lagoons, and land and waters of the Great Lakes." ^ The study, 

 completed by the Department of the Interior on January 30, 1970, 

 proved to be a complete and thorough statement of estuarine condi- 

 tions in the United States. 



It comprised a discussion of the varied and completing uses to which 

 the estuarine areas of the T'nited States were being put and a graphic 

 display of the conditions of the estuarine systems of the United States, 

 The tone of the report was perhaps most indicative of the estuarine 

 situations, for it presented an awesome picture of the ongoing destruc- 

 tion of the U.S. estuaiy system. In the introductory letter to the report, 

 the directors of the study described this scenario : 



Estuaries are in jeopardy. They are being damaged, de- 

 stroyed, and reduced in size at an accelerating rate by physical 

 alteration and by pollution. They are favorite places for in- 

 dustiy, which finds the land cheap, water transportation easy 

 and waste disposal convenient. They are also favorite places 

 for desidential developers who find it exceedingly profitable 

 to dredge and fill an estuary and thus destroy part of it in 

 order to appeal to affluent Americans to live near the water in 

 houses which are accessible by both boat and automobile.* 



In addition, the study focused on not only the deteriorating estu- 

 arine conditions, but also the integrated nature of estuaries and the 

 jurisdictional-management problems involved. While it was not the 

 task of the study to outline the Govermnent alterations needed, this 

 Department of the Interior study did act as a major effoit in the 

 move to promote the estuary problem. 



Land Use 



In addition to recommendations for the development of oceans and 

 coastal areas and the conservation of estuaries, the idea of compre- 

 hensive land use planning was gaining acceptance at this time. Two 

 principal studies, the Public Land Law Review Commission's final 

 report. One Third of the A^ at ion's Land and the American Law In- 

 stitute's Model Land L)e\^eloj>ment Code focused on this idea. The 

 Public Land Law Peview Commission concentrated on planning, 

 utilizing Federally owned lands, but did recognize the need for co- 

 ordination of land use planning with non-Federal lands. 



The xA-merican Law Institute's Model Land Development Code 

 proved to be the basis for the land use regulations of several states. 

 Also, the National Governors Conference adopted a policy position in 

 1970 and 1971 supporting not only a bolder and more innovative state 

 role in land use planning but also stronger Federal legislation in sup- 

 port of the new state efforts in this direction. Clearly the movement 

 for comprehensive land use planning was receiving support from a 

 wide range of parties. 



' I'liblif Law 90-454. sec. 2. 



"T'S. Dppartinent of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Serrice. Bureau of Sports Fisheries 

 an'' W'i<iiifp and Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. National Estuary Studv. Washingtoo, 

 1970. GPO, p. 2. 



