problem involving the interlocking effects of air, 

 land, and water and complex economic and social 

 issues. Burning wastes instead of dumping them in 

 streams alleviates the water pollution problem but 

 may create an air pollution problem. The farmer 

 who sprays his field with pesticide is not respon- 

 sible for this material when it drains into the 

 estuary, and he has little economic incentive to 

 search for alternative methods of insect control. A 

 total integrated approach to waste management is 

 necessary, and there should be established a 

 National Conunission to study and deal with the 

 total waste management problem. 



V. THE NEED FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION 



Our knowledge of the coastal area is incomplete 

 and will remain so for some time. It will probably 

 take a number of years before an adequate 

 management system is developed and translated 

 into legislation. In the meantime, pressures of 

 development and competition will accelerate. 

 Although new legislation is required in some areas, 

 there are laws which, although perhaps in need of 

 amendment, still can be used effectively if en- 

 forced promptly and vigorously. In addition, 

 recommendations of other groups which have 

 studied these problems should be adopted. Ur- 

 gency is the keynote. 



Recommendations : 



1. The Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, adminis- 

 tered by the Corps of Engineers, is the major 

 Federal control over development of the coastal 

 zone. The basis for Corps permits under this Act is 

 the effect of the proposed development on naviga- 

 tion. This Act should be amended to empower the 

 Army Corps of Engineers to deny a permit in 

 order to preserve important recreation, conser- 

 vation, and aesthetic values or to combat pollu- 

 tion. 



2. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act has 

 resulted in the establishment of water quality 

 standards which become both State and Federal 

 law. This is a major step forward in controlling 

 pollution in our coastal waters. State agencies 

 must develop and implement enforcement capabil- 

 ities. The Federal Government should assist and 

 back up State enforcement capability through 

 funding assistance and the development of moni- 

 toring technology. 



3. The Oil PoUution Acts of 1924 and 1961 

 should be amended to resolve jurisdictional con- 

 trol and to provide for equipment certification and 

 liability of polluters. Pending such amendments, 

 present laws should be enforced to the fullest. This 

 responsibility is shared by the Federal Water 

 Pollution Control Administration, the Coast 

 Guard, and the Army Corps of Engineers. 



4. Executive Order 11288 directs that Federal 

 agencies comply with water quality goals in the 

 construction and operation of Federal facilities 

 and in awarding Federal grants and contracts. 

 Action to meet this directive must be increased. 

 Agencies such as the Atomic Energy Commission 

 should apply this directive in its licensing pro- 

 cedures. Enabling legislation should be enacted if 

 necessary. 



5. The amount of shoreline available for public 

 use should be doubled over the next 10 years. 

 Priority should be given to near metropolitan areas 

 vsliere public areas are most urgently needed. More 

 imaginative attempts are required to integrate 

 recreational projects with other uses of the coastal 

 zone such as conservation and industrial uses. 



6. Non-uniform and often conflicting State boat- 

 ing laws confuse a burgeoning recreational boating 

 public. Model State boating laws have been pro- 

 posed through the National Association of State 

 Boating Law Administrators. These laws should be 

 adopted by the States. 



7. A review of boating accidents shows that 

 increased public education and enforcement of 

 boating laws, and not further regulatory licensing, 

 is the more effective path to recreational boating 

 safety. The Coast Guard and State agencies should 

 increase their efforts in that direction. 



8. Improved mapping, charting, and navigation 

 systems are essential to the safety and separation 

 of activities competing for use of the coastal zone. 

 They are also necessary for the orderly research 

 and development of resources. The Coast Guard 

 should take the lead in developing and installing a 

 precise electronic navigational system with an 

 accuracy in the order of ± 50 feet up to 200 miles 

 from shore. 



9. The increasing number of offshore structures 

 and the growing size and hazardous nature of 

 ships' cargoes necessitate ship traffic control pro- 



III-5 



