connected bays or estuaries. Previous data studies and evaluations in the areas of bathymetry, geosciences, hydrobiology, air-sea interactions, fish distribution, radiation, and the like will be assembled in support of, and to prevent duplication by, the new study. Existing activities, such as the U.S. Coast Guard sensor platform and buoy study and similar ESSA and U.S. Navy endeavors are now being, or will be, reviewed to assure correlation and prevent duplication with the data study. The functions and role of the NODC will be key elements within the scope of the study. The NODC is now providing such services as: -exchange of data, including provision of free machine listings and punched cards in return for receiving data on standard NODC forms; -participation in international programs and providing international exchange of services; -consultative and advisory services; -forms and publications; -answering "incidental" requests for information and data. The very breadth, complexity, and rapidly changing character of marine data has made the NODC job exceedingly difficult. The lack of overall national data methods, limited funds, and incomplete knowledge of user needs, are among other factors that have prevented the NODC from evolving into the institution of the breadth and scope that is needed to meet the objectives of the marine sciences legislation. Means will thus be examined, aimed at, but not limited to the following: -evaluation and reduction of an inherited data backlog including the development of criteria to determine the value of some of the collections; -consideration of a common, nationally (and internationally) acceptable programming "language" for linkage with other data storage facilities, memory banks, and computers; -development of systems and processing capabilities to handle data; -the development of additional quality control, archiving, and information retrieval systems. The data study will be a key mechanism for rationalizing the data picture on a national scale for the benefit of all actual and potential originators and users of oceanographic data. The Marine Sciences Council objectives, however, can only be achieved if they are in harmony with the endeavors of other interested bodies and if the products viding for future growth. Consultation with the variety of performers in marine science affairs and understanding of other data management systems to insure compatibility and economy will be among the first steps. The study will consider data on the world's oceans, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico. Chapter VIII MAN'S USES OF THE SHORELINE Competition for Coastal Resources As population pressures along our coasts intensify, competition increases for the use of limited shoreline resources. Paradoxically, at the same time we seek to derive increased and multiple benefits from the shore, the by-products of technological progress continue to diminish its value. In all too many instances, polluted harbors and bays, oil-covered beaches, and eroded shorelines have accompanied economic development along our coasts. The need for concerted Federal and local initiatives to arrest further shoreline degradation has now reached a level of some urgency. Seventy-five percent of our population lives in the States bordering the oceans and the Great Lakes. Coastward migration continues. The oceans have a direct impact on the health and welfare of every coastal resident, as well as the tens of millions of Americans who swim, boat, fish, and relax along our beautiful coasts. Also, thousands of commercial fishermen depend for their catches on clean waters of our bays, estuaries, and nearshore coastal waters, and some communities are now turning to the oceans as a source of industrial and drinking water. At the same time, many industries and municipalities consider the marine environment as a convenient dumping ground for garbage, sewage, industrial, and agricultural wastes. Coastal engineering projects, while benefiting one area, may adversely affect silt deposition or erosion in others. Science and technology can provide tools to help understand the interaction of man's activities and his coastal ecology. But understanding is not enough. For shorelines to serve many competing interests requires informed interaction of political, economic, and social institutions. The resources of the Federal and State governments can assist, but not supplant local actions to preserve our coasts while deriving their benefits. Industry must have a key role in these matters since it uses water in industrial processes, often discharges wastes into coastal waters, and contributes to technology of waste disposal needed to maintain water quality standards. The coastline is not a boundary separating man's activities in the oceans from his endeavors on land. These activities interrelate in many ways. Sea transportation, for example, must connect with transportation networks on land. Similarly, urban development does not end at the water's edge. As municipalities look increasingly seaward for new inhabitable areas, or perhaps offshore airports, correlated planning of urban and ocean activities becomes essential. Waste disposal requirements must be correlated with the assimilation capabilities of nearby waters. Communities developing a filled-in marshland along estuaries may affect nursery grounds of commercial fish species. Damming and filling activities along the coasts-and harbor development-must anticipate changes in shoreline circulation patterns. Sanitation problems associated with ducks, gulls, and other marine birds near populated areas now become important. Not only do they add to pollution but these marine birds collect in marshes around airports and interfere with aircraft takeoffs. Interactions between the sea and land directly affecting man's health and welfare are reflected in numerous Federal programs. Problems of shellfish sanitation, storm damage, shoreline erosion, navigation, and protective harbors have received continuing attention by the Departments of Interior and Health, Education, and Welfare and the Army Corps of Engineers. Radioactivity measurements in the sea, both to identify any danger to our health and to trace ocean currents, have also been supported by the Atomic Energy Commission with new attention required as to byproducts that may reach the sea from nuclear reactors and desalting facilities: radioactive waste, brine, and hot effluents. Those from fossil fuel plants will also need study. In view of the importance of recreation to public health and welfare, Federal legislation has been enacted to set aside a number of seashore areas for public use. At present only three percent of the shoreline of our States (excluding Alaska) has been set aside for public recreation and natural conservation, and wise land use of such scarce resources requires more understanding of the shoreline itself. The Council considered that the pollution of bays and estuaries and the Great Lakes requires special attention. Preliminary studies of several different agencies had already been underway, including joint Federal-State programs to establish and enforce water quality standards for all interstate streams, from the headwaters to the estuaries, bays, and basins. Accelerating this effort and correlating programs of different agencies add cohesiveness and momentum to development of water quality standards along our coasts. The present levels of Federal support for marine science studies related to estuaries is shown in Table XI. |