ABSTRACT
The coastal states of the United States have become increasingly concerned with the present intergovernmental arrangements delineating their role in the management of the resources found in the ocean waters adjacent to their shores. This chapter summarizes the general findings of the Coastal States Organization exclusive economic zone (CSO EEZ) study and highlights some of the main points concerning state-federal relations in the EEZ. It focuses on the nature of the EEZ, the responsibilities of government concerning ocean resources, and explains some guiding principles for EEZ management, and options for an improved system of ocean federalism. Some of the complications, complexities, and tensions associated with ocean management undoubtedly arise because of the multiple and sometimes conflicting purposes of government with regard to the oceans. As a step in developing its EEZ policy position, CSO is formulating a set of guiding principles that it feels are fundamental to rational resources management in the EEZ.
