Regional Approach to Port Development Planning

There is a growing demand for deeper harbor channels generated by the rapidly increasing size of tankers and other bulk cargo vessels. Such channels are becoming difficult to provide, physically and economically. Although the Executive Branch and the Congress are studying organizations and procedures for the optimum development of ocean and coastal zone resources, no definitive action program has been adopted. Three federal agencies have prepared a usable conceptual approach and procedure by which proposed regional harbor and port development studies could be coordinated, managed and conducted. The Congress has already authorized several such regional studies. These should be undertaken forthwith on the basis outlined above. Additional regional areas could be similarly studied if local interests can obtain Congressional authorization.