Alternative Approaches to Pacific Coastal Zone Management

During the past few years an increased awareness of the importance of coastal areas has been developing in the United States and Canada. In the United States this interest resulted in the passage of the Coastal Zone Management Act in 1972. This Act made provision for the development of individual management policies in each of the coastal states. On the west coast, Washington, Oregon and California have designated management authorities charged with overseeing the development of their respective coastal zones. In Canada, and more specifically in British Columbia, there has not been a concerted effort to control development within the coastal zone although there is some indication that a movement in this direction is underway. The main goal of this paper will be to provide a clear understanding of the management systems which have been created in Washington, Oregon, and California. Once this is achieved the present status of coastal zone management in British Columbia will be reviewed to determine the direction of current policy. Suggestions, based upon the experience in the three states, will then be presented concerning possible directions for coastal zone management in British Columbia.