Coastal states and marine resourch development within the United States exclusive economic zone

Abstract

In 1983 the United States established a 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic zone (U.S. EEZ). The U.S. EEZ is the newest, and perhaps last, playing field for a tug-of-war the states and the federal government have been playing since the Constitution was ratified Federali6m. In t e m of managing the resources within the U.S. EEZ, the coastal States define "federalism" as being "full partners" with the federal government. It is stateside where there must be port , processing, transport, and housing facilities to accamodate ocean resource development, and where the air, water, land or visual environmental affects are felt. states will have to generate increased revenues to pay for the new demands on their social infrastructures. Thus, it is only just that the states be "full partners" with the federal government in managing ocean resource development. Only changing the existing legal status quo will make this possible, a step that must be carefully weighed and considered before executing. The best way to do this is to establish a National Ocean Policy Commission.