-strengthen planning and decision-making processes that rely on the expertise and knowledge of the coastal States, including the Great Lakes States, and are responsive to national as well as local needs; -expand the structure for consideration of multi-State issues in Coastal Zone planning and management; -broaden Federal policies and programs—without supplanting State autonomy and responsibility—to encourage the States to develop and carry out programs of planned use of the Coastal Zone in the national interest; and -develop new mechanisms for acquiring, analyzing, and distributing management information and environmental data concerning the Coastal Zone. This approach emphasizes that the State governments should be the focal points for planning and managing activities in the Coastal Zone, with the Federal and local governments supporting the States in carrying out this responsibility. In view of the inter-state character of many areas of the marine environment, each State should take into account the plans and needs of adjoining States, with the appropriate coordinating mechanisms depending on the region. Already many Federal agencies support projects designed to foster development of the Coastal Zone. More deliberate coordination of these activities both at the Federal and State level is needed, supplemented as necessary by additional Federal encouragement of planning and management activities specifically directed to the Coastal Zone. Strengthening Multiagency Programs Based on studies by two interagency task forces to improve existing Federal programs and policies affecting the Coastal Zone, the Council recommended that the concerned agencies take further steps in six areas, namely: 1. Strengthening policy planning, coordination, and development, by: -defining the national interest in the Coastal Zone more clearly and encouraging enunciation of national goals and objectives in Coastal Zone development by both the Executive and Legislative Branches: -strengthening coordination of Federal agencies in the review of proposed Coastal Zone alterations; -broadening studies of factors that influence land development in the Coastal Zone, possibly by a multidisciplinary panel of specialists on Coastal Zone development available for consultation with the States; and -filling present planning gaps for making mass coastal recreation available near large congested coastal areas and identifying policy gaps in harbor waterfront restoration. 2. Resolving legal and other questions related to Coastal Zone property, boundaries, and use, by: -clarifying the effect of manmade offshore structures on FederalState boundaries; -accelerating the delineation of domestic submerged land boundaries; and -continuing efforts to minimize coastal interference between defense and other uses. 3. Assisting commercial and sport fisheries, by: -examining the adequacy of laws governing commercial fishing between the seaward boundaries of the States and the limits of national jurisdiction; -developing a model, scientifically-based, State law governing commercial fishing activity for consideration by the States in meeting problems unintentionally induced by archaic conservation measures; and -developing a better system for collecting, processing, and disseminating statistics on commercial and sport fishing. 4. Enhancing recreational and other uses of the Coastal Zone, by: -assisting the States in developing model legislation on coastal zoning; -promptly identifying high value coastal areas essential for public use and considering a moratorium on disposal of "surplus" Federal land in the Coastal Zone; and -seeking legislation to expand beach erosion and hurricane protection programs. 5. Maintaining the quality of coastal waters, by: -enforcing water quality standards and other relevant laws to prevent further degradation of coastal waters; -controlling ship-induced pollution in harbors and coastal waters; -accelerating research to determine the significance and duration of the effects of major oil spills on marine animals and recreation; and -devoting increased attention to reducing pollution from insecticides. herbicides, and fertilizers. 6. Encouraging research, education, and information development and dissemination, by: -establishing coastal preserves for ecological research; -establishing a central data bank for information and scientific data on Coastal Zone activities and conditions; -encouraging training of Coastal Zone planners and managers under the Sea Grant Program; evaluating the need for a National Institute of Coastal Zone Studies; -preparing a handbook to serve as a guide for local Coastal Zone development; -developing information and legislation on preserving public access to the coast; and encouraging expanded research programs to quantify environmental effects of estuarine and coastal pollution. Program for the Great Lakes Because of rapid degradation of the Great Lakes with the exception of Lake Superior, the Council examined the role of numerous regional agencies currently engaged in Great Lakes planning and resource management to endeavor to develop a more coherent approach. Primary among such agencies are the Great Lakes Basin Commission, the Great Lakes Compact Commission, the Upper Great Lakes Regional Commission, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and the International Joint Commission. Despite the international nature of the Great Lakes and the importance of recognizing Canadian interests in any decisions affecting the Lakes, only the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the International Joint Commission are international in character. Thus, the Council is encouraging steps to broaden the coordinating responsibility of the International Joint Commission in areas other than those under the purview of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, with the U.S. section of the International Joint Commission strengthened accordingly. Additionally, the Council reviewed steps of the Department of the Interior to assist in controlling the alewife population during the summer of 1968 and in developing a long-term alewife research and control program, and encouraged safeguards against pollution if oil production begins under Lake Erie. A number of agencies, individually and collectively, supported the following activities during 1968: -carrying out of a comprehensive study of the levels of the Lakes: -completion of pollution control plans for Lakes Erie and Ontario, including an enforcement conference on Lake Erie; -initiation of wave height forecasts four times per day; -planning for an International Field Year on the Great Lakes with four projects: lake meteorology, energy balance, terrestrial water balance, and water movement; -comprehensive review of dredging practices and effects of dredging on water quality; -establishment of procedures for predicting wave level fluctuations induced by winds; -study of legal aspects of Great Lakes resources; and -request for FY 1970 funds to modify a Coast Guard tender to serve part time as an oceanographic research platform for scientists from Great Lakes universities and other institutions. Also, P.L. 90-419 gives the consent of Congress to the eight-state Great Lakes Basin Compact, established to promote the "orderly, integrated, and comprehensive development, use, and conservation of the water resources of the Great Lakes Basin." Multiple Use of the Chesapeake Bay Since early 1967 the Council has been making a case study of the Chesapeake Bay, as it may furnish guidance for dealing with similar problems in other coastal waters. Multi-disciplinary research activities have been focused around a laboratory authorized for the Corps of Engineers for hydraulic and ecological studies that will employ a three-dimensional model of the Bay on a horizontal scale of 1:1,000. Figure IV-5 describes the geographical coverage and field stations that are planned. The model, supplemented by mathematical models and critical analysis, should improve and extend understanding of the physical and biological characteristics of the Bay and the effects of man's activities on the Bay environment. Of particular interest will be understanding of the capacity of the Potomac estuary to absorb pollutants. Projections will be made of the demands that increased population, economic, and industrial pressures will make on the land-water system of the Bay area. At the same time it has been recognized that a more effective intergovernmental management system is needed to translate results of research and analysis into meaningful programs to permit orderly development of the Bay area without further degradation of its natural resources. Therefore, the Council has recommended consultations among all concerned interests at the regional, State, and local levels concerning the desirability, character, and composition of a possible intergovernmental commission for the Chesapeake Bay. Need for a Strengthened Institutional Framework We have noted the uniqueness of marine science affairs in the Coastal Zone resulting from intense, varied human uses superimposed on an intricate, delicate ecology and involving an array of governmental entities to |