149 



The administration's position also recognizes tliat the coastal zone is 

 a unique area. It is the point of juncture of land and water, and has 

 special problems that other land areas do not have, and it calls our 

 specifically in the bill the need to pay attention to those coastal zones. 



I do agree that the problem we have here is the pace of motion to- 

 ward management systems. 



Now, I think I would concur with you, sir, on the urgency, as I have 

 indicated before. You only have to be associated with fishery problems 

 as we are in NOAxA. to understand the great urgency of making sure 

 that our coastal zones are properly managed so that our fisheries are 

 protected and they are, in turn, properly managed. 



You cannot be involved in the kinds of things that we are involved 

 in without coming up Vv'ith the same sense of urgency you have ex- 

 pressed, sir. 



Mr. Jones. Thank you. 



Mr. DE LA Garza. Will the gentleman yield ? 



Mr. Jones. Yes. 



Mr. DE LA Garza. Doctor, are you doing any research or any plan- 

 ning in specific items ? 



Is your agency doing any research or planning like on beacli 

 erosion 2 



Dr. White. We have groups that are working on the interaction of 

 oceans and the land. It is not a large program. 



The principal group working on beach erosion is the Corps of Engi- 

 neers' Coastals Engineering Research Board. 



This is a critical problem and we have been looking at it but only in 

 a small way. 



Mr. DE LA Garza. Thank you. 



Mr. JoNES. Mr. Chairman. I believe I have one more question. 



Dr. White, what will be your opinion as to the feasibility of Govern- 

 ment participation with private ownership as it relates to erosion oc- 

 curring on the shorelines of the property owned by individuals ? 



Dr. White. I would just like to clarify your question, sir. 



You are suggesting the joint participation of Government and pri- 

 vate groups in taking steps to prevent erosion ? 



]VIr. Jones. Yes. 



Dr. White. Stated that way, I think it is something we are probably 

 going to have to do. 



Mv. Jones. It appears that we must if we ar-e to protect our shores. 



Dr. White. We have similar kinds of problems in agriculture. 



Mr. Jones. That is what I was going to get around to. We would 

 not be without precedent. 



Dr. White. It would not be without precedent. 



Mr. Jones. Thank you. 



Mr. Lennon. Dr. White, have yon had an opportunity to study, 

 or lias your staff studied and reported to you the three bills that are 

 noAv being considered by tlie Oceanography Subcommittee ? 



Dr. White. We have had a chance to study in some detail, sir, H.R. 

 241)2, H.R. 2493, and H.R. 9229, whicli is the most recent one, includes 

 tlie provisions of II.R. 249P> and includes additional provisions on 

 mavine sanctuai-ies and management of t]ie contiguous zone. 



I liave looked at II.R. 9229, sir, but not in depth. 



