A. Creation of the Commission.-During the 1975 Session of the General Assembly, Senator Joseph V. Gartlan, Jr., Fairfax, introduced legislation to create a commission to study the effects upon Virginia of possible exploration and development of the Outer Continental Shelf. Senate Joint Resolution No. 137 established the Virginia Coastal Study Commission. The Commission was directed to study the offshore, interface and onshore effects of possible exploration and development of the Outer Continental Shelf adjacent to Virginia's coast. See Appendix I for Senate Joint Resolution No. 137.

B. Inclusion of Coastal Resources Management Program.During the following Session of the General Assembly in 1976, Senator Gartlan introduced additional legislation as to the work of the Virginia Coastal Study Commission. Senate Joint Resolution No. 39 directed the Commission to include the Coastal Zone Management Program within its study. See Appendix II for Senate Joint Resolution No. 39.

C. Membership.-The Commission is composed of eleven members, including: Senator Joseph V. Gartlan, Jr., Chairman, Fairfax; Delegate Glenn B. McClanan, Vice-Chairman, Virginia Beach; Senator Herbert H. Bateman, Newport News; A. G. Clark, Jr., AMOCO Oil Company, Yorktown; David Favre, Conservation Council of Virginia; Delegate Evelyn M. Hailey, Norfolk; Ivan D. Mapp, Virginia Beach; Delegate George N. McMath, Accomac; Delegate Calvin G. Sanford, Hague; Delegate Alson H. Smith, Jr., Winchester; Harry E. Tull, Jr., Saxis. Edward Wilson, the State Outer Continental Shelf coordinator and Deputy Director of the Virginia Energy Office was named as ex-officio member of the Commission. The staff to the Commission include Bragdon R. Bowling, Jr., Susan T. Gill, and Sieglinde F. Nix of the Division of Legislative Services. Executive branch assistance has been provided by Don Budlong of the Office of the Secretary of Commerce and Resources, Norman Larsen of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and Roger Anderson and John B. Pleasants of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. James Moore of the Attorney General's Office also assisted.

D. Background.-The coastal area of Virginia is unique for its land and marine resources. Although it comprises nearly one-third of the Commonwealth's total land area, it supports over sixty-two percent of the Commonwealth's population. Coastal Virginia is rich in cultural and historic tradition. Natural resources, which are the basis for a diverse economic base, provide varied recreational opportunities and offer unmatched environmental attributes. However, the coastal land and water resources which are the basis for these activities and attributes are limited and fragile, and require a thoughtful and caring stewardship by all Virginians. Today residential growth, industrial development, energy production, marine-based industries, recreational activities, federal civilian and defense agencies, and commercial interests all compete for use of these resources. The decisions about how these resources are used, protected, and conserved has to be founded upon adequate state and local planning, clearly defined state policies, appropriate administrative procedures, and the necessary state organization.

This Commission began its study of and concern for resource management in Tidewater Virginia with a specific interest in the exploration and development of outer continental shelf oil and gas resources, their onshore effects, and what the state and local response should be. This interest and concern has been extended to the issues and needs of coastal resources management. The executive branch has been developing alternative means for allowing the state and local governments to approach resource management problems in Tidewater Virginia through its Coastal Resources Management Program. The Coastal Study Commission has joined in this work because of its interest in the Commonwealth's coastal resources and the need to bring a legislative perspective to its development.