Connecticut Regulation The removal of sand and gravel from lands under tidal and coastal waters and 

 the erection of structures and works in tidal, coastal, and navigable waters are regulated by the 

 Connecticut Water Resources Commission. This affords some control over dredge and fill projects, but 

 the State has no jurisdiction over filling tidal marsh from inland by means of dump trucks and 

 bulldozers. 



Acquisition The State of Connecticut claims title to all lands below mean high water. However, no 

 demarcation lines have been estabUshed, and over the years private interests have reportedly exercised 

 claims including most of the tidal marshes. 



The Connecticut Board of Fisheries and Game is authorized to acquire tidal marsh by gift, lease, 

 purchase, or condemnation. Reportedly, the State has lost about half of its tidal marshes since 1914. Of 

 some 14,800 acres that remain, the Board of Fisheries and Game owns about 4,200 acres and hopes to 

 acquire another 7,000 in the next few years. The Board is recommending acquisition of the remaining 

 3,600 acres by private conservation agencies or municipalities. A wetlands committee has been organized 

 by private conservation groups, and the U.S. Bureau of Sports Fisheries and WildUfe is studying the 

 establishment of a National WildUfe Refuge. 



Agency As indicated above, acquisition of tidal marsh is primarily performed by the Board of 

 Fisheries and Game, while regulatory powers are vested in the Water Resources Commission. 



Funding Spending for tidal marsh acquisition by the Board of Fisheries and Game during this 

 biennium is expected to total about $500,000. 



Court Tests None, other than Htigation concerning common law ownership rights. 



Coordination At the State level, coordination of conservation and development activities in estuaries 

 is carried out by the State Development Commission and the State Highway Department on behalf of 

 development, and by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Park and Forest 

 Commission, the Board of Fisheries and Game, and the Water Resources Commission on behalf of 

 conservation. A comprehensive State plan for development has been prepared by these agencies and is 

 coordinated with local and regional plans. 



Delaware Regulation The Delaware State Planning Office has reflected on its Comprehensive Plan Map 

 a substantial portion of Delaware's coastal wetlands for conservation purposes. This action has 

 reportedly been used as a weapon in resisting minor subdivision development, but its ability to restrain 

 major developmental encroachments has apparently not been tested. The State Planning Office has 

 recommended that some kind of State zoning be provided to implement this open space proposal, but 

 no zoning has yet been adopted. 



Acquisition State land acquisition for estuarine protection is authorized, apparently through the 

 State Board of Game and Fish Commissioners. State, Federal, and private conservation groups 

 reportedly own about 60,000 acres of coastal salt marsh and expect to acquire another 10,000 acres. 

 The remaining 40,000 acres of salt marsh is said to be largely owned by oil and chemical companies. 



Agency The Board of Game and Fish Commissioners is responsible for conservation of estuaries and 

 expresses its views on proposed developments in hearings before the State Water and Air Resources 

 Commission or the State Planning Division. 



Funding Funding of State programs for conservation and protection of estuaries in recent years has 

 ranged from $50,000 to $300,000 annually. 



Court Tests None. 



Coordination The Board of Game and Fish Commissioners, the Water and Air Resources 

 Commission, and the State Planning Division coordinate with one another their respective programs 

 affecting estuaries. 



Florida Regulation Florida authorizes the designation of a "bulkhead line" along or offshore from 

 tidal lands. Beyond such a bulkhead Une no filling or bulkheading is allowed; in one county (Manatee) in 

 addition no dredging is allowed beyond the bulkhead line. 



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