Preface 



This Panel Report deals with environmental 

 problems, management, and development of the 

 coastal zone. The decision that the coastal zone 

 should involve a separate report was based on the 

 pubUc attention and concern recently focused on 

 this environment and the awareness that our 

 coastal waters are a vital National resource being 

 subjected to the growing pressures and conflicts of 

 a burgeoning modem economic and industrial 

 society. 



Therefore, we have compiled a report ex- 

 amining in detail the many uses of the coastal 

 zone, the roles played by the participants, and 

 both the natural and man-made problems of this 

 environment. 



A large part of the fact finding and study was 

 done in close concert with the Panel on Basic 

 Science. We found from the outset that the 

 problems of the nearshore environment are ines- 

 capably related to the fundamental sciences under- 

 lying them. 



Information was gathered by the panel in 

 several ways, chiefly through informal hearings 

 held in various parts of the Nation. A total of 1 26 

 persons testified, representing the Federal Govern- 

 ment, coastal States, research institutions, and 

 industry. Appendix A lists the schedule of hearings 

 and those persons appearing, to which the panel is 

 highly indebted. 



In a further effort to solicit the views of experts 

 on the nearshore environment, over 600 individ- 

 uals were corresponded with or interviewed. Their 

 response contributed greatly to the panel's work 

 and are gratefully acknowledged by the listing in 

 Appendix A. 



The panel also was aided greatly by many 

 reports and documents generously provided by 

 agencies, institutions and associations too numer- 

 ous to list. Reports and references upon which 

 much of our studies have been based are cited 

 throughout the text. 



We are indebted particularly to consultants and 

 reviewers whose time and efforts have contributed 

 significantly to this report. They, along with the 

 staff membership, are listed in Appendix A. 



The report contains 10 chapters and several 

 appendices of related data and tabular material. 

 Chapter 1 defines the scope and importance of the 

 coastal zone. 



Chapters 2 and 3 detail uses of the coastal zone 

 and subsequent results. Chapters 4 through 6 

 emphasize pollution, transportation, and 

 research.* A review of the activity of Federal 

 agencies is given in Chapter 7, along with a 

 summary of State activity. Chapter 8 discusses the 

 complex arrangement of laws of the coastal zone. 



Chapter 9 presents the panel's basic assessment 

 of what should be done. Obviously it was not 

 possible to include every recommendation or 

 requirement considered and even discussed in 

 earlier chapters. 



Finally, in Chapter 10 we propose a National 

 program for a State-Federal partnership in the 

 management and development of the coastal zone. 



John A. Knauss, Chairman 

 Frank C. DiLuzio 

 Leon Jaworski 

 Robert M. White 



Such important coastal zone roles as recreation, 

 fishing, petroleum, and mining are the principal subjects 

 of other Panel Reports. 



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333-093 O - 69 - 11 



