§1222 General Study and Inventory of Estuaries and Their Natural Resources

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior must lead a study and inventory of the nation’s estuaries with help from the States, the Secretary of the Army, and other federal agencies. It covers coastal marshes, bays, sounds, seaward areas, lagoons, and Great Lakes lands and waters. The study must look at wildlife and recreation, ecology, value to fisheries and beauty, uses for navigation and flood, hurricane, or erosion control, mineral and submerged‑land value, and whether areas could be developed for cities, industry, or commerce. The work must be done along with the comprehensive estuarine pollution study under section 5(g) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1254(n)) and other related studies. By January 30, 1970, the Secretary must send a report to Congress through the President with recommendations, including whether to create a national system of estuarine areas and any specific areas the United States should acquire. Any recommended purchases must be developed with States, cities, and federal agencies, and must include any views submitted within 60 days, a statement of likely effects on any Congress‑adopted river basin plan or, if none, on other users of the area’s resources, and a discussion of major economic, social, and ecological trends. No land may be bought until Congress passes a law allowing it. Up to $250,000 is authorized for fiscal year 1969 and $250,000 for fiscal year 1970 to carry out the study; the money remains available until spent.