196 



best use of the invaluable and irreplaceable coastal resources 

 in natural, economic and aesthetic terms. 



To resolve these pressures * * * an administrative and 

 legal framework must be developed to promote balance among 

 coastal activities based on scientific, economic, and social 

 considerations. This would entail mediating the diifer- 

 ences between conflicting uses and overlapping political 

 jurisdiction. 



The ultimate success of a coastal management program will 

 depend on the effective cooperation of Federal, State, regional, 

 and local agencies * * *. ("Policy Positions of the National 

 Governors' Conference, September 1971, at p. 34). 



Despite all of this evidence, there still remains the question, "Why 

 single out the coastal zone for special management attention?" The 

 argument has been made that since the environmental system of the 

 earth composes one eco-system, there should be only one policy and 

 one system of management. But experience has shown us that in order 

 to achieve adequate manageability, diverse systems are often needed^ 

 The fact is that the waters and narrow strip of land within the coastal 

 zone is where the most critical demands, needs and problems presently 

 exist. These demands will grow even more critical in the years ahead. 

 There is an ever increasing commercial and recreational demand for 

 utilization of wetlands, beaches and other prime areas in the coastal 

 zone. As a result many of the biological organisms in the coastal zone 

 are in extreme danger. These organisms are important, not only eco- 

 nomically, but esthetically, ecologically and scientifically as well. 

 Man's utilization of the coastal zone may have a profound impact on 

 our future well being. The vice chairman of the National Advisory 

 Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere, Dr. William Hargis, has 

 stated : 



"The coastal zone is the 'key' or gate to the oceans. Effec- 

 tive management in the coastal zone almost automatically as- 

 sures control over quality of ocean environment and quality 

 of resources." Dr. Hargis, who is also Director of the Vir- 

 ginia Institute of jMarine Sciences and chairman of the Coas- 

 tal States Organization of the Council of State Governments, 

 made that comment during hearings by the Committee on 

 Commerce (Coastal Zone Management, Serial No. 92-15 at 

 page 262). 



The coastal zone also represents a sharp contrast with general 

 land utilization when viewed from a social aspect. Most people in 

 the United States either live near the coast or on the coast and many 

 of them are directly involved in this contest between public and 

 private interests. Because of global transportation patterns and the 

 availability of population, most of our great commercial and industrial 

 development is taking place in or near the coastal zone. Additionally, 

 the coastal zone is a politically complex area, involving local. State, 

 regional, national and international political interests. 



At present, local e:overnments do possess considerable authority 

 in the coastal zone. However, frequently their jurisdiction does not 

 extend far enough to deal fullv and effectively with the land and 

 water problems of that zone. Additionally, there have been numerous 



