Quiet, protected waters are often so because of very low

currents resulting in poor water exchange or flushing.

Pollutants added to such systems are not quickly removed

and their concentrations build up to very high levels.

These facts must be recognized and taken into account

whenever one is assessing the possible impact of boats and

boat traffic. This is not to say that marine oriented

coamsroe is undesirable -- without a doubt it is desirable,

and necessary, in an island setting -- but its consequences

must be recognized and admitted so that its proliferation

and development can be kept in proper perspective to other

requirements. One of the cardinal guidelines for insular

development should be to preserve as many varied natural

systems as possible. The tendency to convert natural

systems toward the economic end to which they can most

easily be converted cannot always be justified when weighed

against the rapidly deteriorating quality of man's environment.

 During the past few years considerable controversy has

cantered around a proposal to fill most of the Mangrove Lagoon

for construction of a jet airport. Engineering proposals

for the airport provide for waterways under the runway de-

signed to maintain the present flow of water from the open

sea into the Lagoon. Such flow is essential to the proper

circulation and flushing of the Lagoon, but certainly is not

the only requirement for its preservation. Conservationists


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