I. The Coastal Zone
13
The United States' Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) mirrors a national
concern to harmonize the demands of urbanization, recreation, industry and
energy development in the littoral fringe, and recognizes the recurrent
incompatibility of these uses. The Act underscores the nefarious role of anarchic
development generated by repeated development demands. More than 56 million
hectares (138 million acres) are affected by this legislation ; it provides a
financial inducement to regional jurisdictions to set up rules aiming to solve
opposing ~requests involving the coastal zone, to establish a priority order for its
use, and to determine by whom and how final decisions will be made.
4 Management and Environment
Conflicts between the various users of the coastal zone make if difficult for
planners and ecologists to make the right decisions. Further conflict arises in
trying to reconcile development and the environment. This is reflected in the
philosophy of the (US) Coastal Zone Management Act which aims not so much
at saving the status quo as in harmonizing environmental protection and
development.
4.1 Preservation, Protection and Environmental Equilibrium
4.1.1 Pollution Management
Even though pollution management should be on an international scale, regional
management may of itself protect and improve existing conditions. Drawing
chemical, physical and biological baselines, determining distribution and
dispersion mechanisms, monitoring pollution levels, and gathering valid
prognoses about the effect, upon the environment, of new activities and of the
introduction of new technologies in the coastal zone are necessary.
Several international and national organizations, both governmental and nongovernmental concern themselves with ocean pollution. The United States took
measures as long ago as 1899, when coastal pollution first became serious (note
the Rivers and Harbors Act). Management of the coastal zone has to face both
occasional pollution incidents and more continuous pollutants emissions.
13
The United States' Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) mirrors a national
concern to harmonize the demands of urbanization, recreation, industry and
energy development in the littoral fringe, and recognizes the recurrent
incompatibility of these uses. The Act underscores the nefarious role of anarchic
development generated by repeated development demands. More than 56 million
hectares (138 million acres) are affected by this legislation ; it provides a
financial inducement to regional jurisdictions to set up rules aiming to solve
opposing ~requests involving the coastal zone, to establish a priority order for its
use, and to determine by whom and how final decisions will be made.
4 Management and Environment
Conflicts between the various users of the coastal zone make if difficult for
planners and ecologists to make the right decisions. Further conflict arises in
trying to reconcile development and the environment. This is reflected in the
philosophy of the (US) Coastal Zone Management Act which aims not so much
at saving the status quo as in harmonizing environmental protection and
development.
4.1 Preservation, Protection and Environmental Equilibrium
4.1.1 Pollution Management
Even though pollution management should be on an international scale, regional
management may of itself protect and improve existing conditions. Drawing
chemical, physical and biological baselines, determining distribution and
dispersion mechanisms, monitoring pollution levels, and gathering valid
prognoses about the effect, upon the environment, of new activities and of the
introduction of new technologies in the coastal zone are necessary.
Several international and national organizations, both governmental and nongovernmental concern themselves with ocean pollution. The United States took
measures as long ago as 1899, when coastal pollution first became serious (note
the Rivers and Harbors Act). Management of the coastal zone has to face both
occasional pollution incidents and more continuous pollutants emissions.