Figure 2. Industrial use of the waterfront-a fish processing plant. (Bureau of Commercial 

 Fisheries photo) 



It appears that recent pollution control legisla- 

 tion will reduce the advantages of waste disposal 

 previously inherent in a waterfront location. In 

 most cases, however, it is likely that industrial 

 location decisions will not be significantly 

 affected, since the industries concerned usually 

 derive other benefits from a waterfront location. 



It is within the technological and economic 

 capability of the industries requiring waterfront 

 sites to comply with regional standards for com- 

 patibihty, i.e., not pollute the air or water, 

 interfere with other pubUc uses or despoil a 

 shoreline's appearance. 



These industries seek waterfront sites in metro- 

 politan regions to achieve major savings in raw 

 materials transport, processing, and product distri- 

 bution, and their managements are aware that the 

 costs of operating in metropolitan areas include 

 pollution abatement equipment and well- 

 maintained plants and grounds. 



If remaining shoreline resources are to be 

 adequately managed, it is important that addi- 

 tional information be obtained regarding the 

 economic importance of waterfront location to 

 various industries. 



III. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT 



Housing is a major factor affecting coastal zone 

 development. Both demographic and socio- 

 economic trends project a rapid increase of private 

 waterfront development. 



It seems probable that if current trends con- 

 tinue all wetlands wiU be filled and used for home 

 building. Figure 3 shows the degree of develop- 

 ment which has occurred in Boca Ciega Bay, 

 Florida, between 1949 and 1965. In San Diego, a 

 house sells for 40 per cent more if it is on the 

 waterfront. Apartments in Columbus, Ohio, rent 

 for 15 per cent more per month if they have a 

 view of a IVi acre "lake" which the builder 

 salvaged from an abandoned sand pit. On Long 

 Island, waterfront plots can command a premium 

 of $5,000 to $15,000 over other lots.^ 



A survey in 1966 by the Fish and WildHfe 

 Service indicated that commercial and private 

 housing development (and related ventures) was 

 the second principal cause in the loss of estuarine 

 area. It is estimated that by 1 975 housing develop- 

 ments will have become the leading cause.* 



Furthermore, sewage from waterfront homes 

 often seeps directly into nearby waters, adding to 

 pollution. 



IV. RECREATION-BEACHES AND PARKS 



Competition for land and water is sharpest 

 precisely where the need for water-based recre- 

 ation is greatest— near metropolitan areas. The 



National Home Builders Institute, Washington, D.C. 



Report of Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife to 

 House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, 90th 

 Congress, March 6, 1967. See Table 1, Chapter 3. 



III-IS 



