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NATURAL AREA EVALUATION CONCEPT 



This is the first known pilot model for systematically assessing 

 the value of a region's natural areas where the assessment has been 

 undertaken based only on a comprehensive study of the ecologically 

 significant and important biota and features of the region. Surveys 

 have been conducted in several states and in New England based on a 

 wide variety of criteria including scenic value multiple use, 

 recreational value, geological features, vlaue of land, and nearness 

 to cities. Surveys have been made by various agencies - federal, state, 

 local, and private - but no comprehensive ecological surveys for a natural 

 region such as the entire Chesapeake Bay Region have been made without 

 regard for state or county boundaries. This study is an attempt to overcome 

 this limitation, to search out and evaluate ecologically important tidal 

 zone areas, waterfront age, wetlands, salt marshes, islands, bays, and 

 estuarine drainages associated with Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. 



The concept developed in this study utilizes the following approach. 



SURVEY OF EXISTING PRESERVED AREAS 

 Make a comprehensive study and map all existing Federal, State, 

 municipal and private areas under present protection. These include parks, 

 forests, research sites, game refuges, game management areas, wilderness 

 areas, scenic river areas, national natural landmark areas, all Federal 

 lands including military bases and other public lands protected from 



