environmental concern identified by the states under the federal Coastal Zone 

 Management Programo These areas include estuaries, islands, barrier beaches, 

 tidal wetlands, bluffs, dunes, and areas of transition from salt marsh to upland 

 vegetationo The preserve system would be established and managed in conduction 

 with academic institutions bordering the Sound, and viewed primarily as resources 

 for educational and research uses. It is recommended, furthermore, that Connect- 

 icut's ongoing acquisition program for the smaller, less expensive islands in the 

 Sound not only be continued, but accelerated, if possible. These smaller rock 

 islands are of benefit to nesting gulls and ternso 



Maintain or increase species diversity. To improve wildlife resources and 

 increase consumptive and non-consumptive uses of these resources, it is recom- 

 mended that Connecticut and New York, with federal assistance, adopt measures 

 which will insure species diversity such as periodic cutting and thinning of 

 woodland areas, maintenance of "green belts" in urban areas, and promotion of 

 old-field succession in former agricultural sites. Establishment of a comp- 

 rehensive fisheries management/research program would include consideration 

 of species diversity. 



Improve water qualitv o Water quality improvement also rated 

 poorly under the NED objective, but since so many of the recommendations 

 hinge on this program, it is included as a first priority measure. To im- 

 prove fish and shellfish habitat and to increase opportunities for recrea- 

 tional and commercial use of the Sound, it is recommended that water quality 

 be improved for fishing and si\n.mming and, in some cases, for shellf ishing, 

 particularly in the eastern Connecticut regions (Thames River and Connecticut 

 River area) . Connecticut and New York should work closely with the Environ- 

 mental Protection Agency in improving water quality and in maintaining water 

 quality in areas presently open for shellfishing since water quality stand- 

 ards and improvement fall under the jursidiction of EPA. In conjunction 

 with this program, both states, with federal assistance, should develop 

 research programs on the reliability of shellfish purity indicator organisms 

 other than coliform bacteria and should continue to monitor the effects of 

 pesticide pollution on the Sound's ecosystem. 



Improve fishery habitat . To improve fishery habitat, artificial 

 reefs should be constructed under State and municipal authorities. Although 

 further investigations and evaluation of specific sites for the establish- 

 ment of these reefs is needed, the following possible locations are sug- 

 gested: Connecticut -- New Haven Harbor, Bridgeport Harbor, Westcott Cove, 

 Cove Harbor, Noroton Neck, and Roton Point; New York -- Smithtown Bay. In 

 sandy areas, where flatfish are normally caught, it is conceivable that the 

 diversity of the catch (to include tautog, sea bass, scup, etc.) could be 

 increased by constructing small artificial reefs in close proximity to the 

 piers (Figure 7 ) . 



Improve access for fishing . It is recommended that general pub- 

 lic access to the shore and navigable waters should be available and guaran- 

 teed by statute without social and municipal constraints. Also, small boat 

 rental facilities and launching ramps should be increased at Little Neck Bay 



51 



