America's Changing Coasts

Book excerpt: Following a comprehensive overview by the editors, this volume s expert contributors provide detailed discussion of important legal, ecological and social issues associated with coastal resource management, as well as the most significant challenges confronting land use planners and resource managers in coastal communities. Using an interdisciplinary approach to perplexing questions surrounding the issue of development versus protection, the volume presents a broad approach to coastal issues involving private rights and public trust. Part I: The Law and Coastal Environments provides background information on the more recent federal and state lawsuits, statutes and regulations that impact coastal environments. In Part II: Ecological Consequences for Coastal Development, scientists discuss threats posed by elevated nitrogen levels and heavy metal contamination in coastal waters, followed by descriptions of the impact of development on habitats essential to estuarine-dependent fish and migratory shorebirds. In Part III: Private Use, Public Trust and Coastal Protection the authors explore ways to balance private use of the coast with public rights of access and preservation. They discuss the concept of stewardship by both public and private landowners, factors affecting environmental values in coastal communities, and facilitation of enlightened public policies for growth management and resource protection. Appropriate for courses pertaining to coastal ecology, coastal management or land-use planning, this book will also appeal to a diverse audience of economists, concerned citizens, environmental lawyers and policymakers.