11.07.2015 Views

An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Figure ES.7 Population Density Peaks Near <strong>the</strong> Shore0 100MilesAlaskaHawaiiU.S.densityis 79.6People per square mile by statePeople per squaremile by county3,000.0 to 6,6940.0300.0 to 2,999.9160.0 to 299.979.6 to 159.97.0 to 79.51.0 to 6.90.0 to 0.90 100MilesPuerto Rico0 100Miles0 100MilesU.S.densityis 79.6300.0 to 9,316.079.6 to 299.97.0 to 79.51.1 to 6.9As shown by 2000 U.S. Census figures, population density is generally highest in coastal areas, including counties surrounding <strong>the</strong>Great Lakes. Population growth and increasing population density in coastal counties reflect <strong>the</strong> attraction of <strong>the</strong> coast but alsoresult in increased environmental impacts on coastal ecosystems.Source: U.S. Census Bureau. “Census 2000.” (Accessed March 2004).coastal hazards, reduces and fragments fish and wildlife habitat, alters sediment and waterflows, and contributes to coastal water pollution. Fortunately, we are gaining a muchimprovedunderstanding of human influences on coastal ecosystems, whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y originatelocally, regionally, or in watersheds hundreds of miles upstream.Without question, management of <strong>the</strong> nation’s coastal zone has made great strides,but fur<strong>the</strong>r improvements are urgently needed, with an emphasis on ecosystem-based,watershed approaches that consider environmental, economic, and social concerns. TheCommission recommends that federal area-based coastal programs be consolidated andfederal laws be modified to improve coastal resource protection and sustainable use.Congress should reauthorize and boost support <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> Coastal Zone Management Act,streng<strong>the</strong>ning <strong>the</strong> management capabilities of coastal states and enabling <strong>the</strong>m to incorporatea watershed focus. The Coastal Zone Management Act, Clean Water Act, and o<strong>the</strong>rfederal laws should be amended to provide financial, technical, and institutional support<strong>for</strong> watershed initiatives.At <strong>the</strong> highest level, <strong>the</strong> National <strong>Ocean</strong> Council should develop national goals anddirect changes to better link coastal and watershed management and minimize impacts asso-E XECUTIVE S UMMARY15

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!