THE 2 FACES OF COASTAL ENVIRONMENTALISM - ENVIRONMENTAL-PROTECTION AND DEVELOPMENT ON CAPE-MAY

This research examines environmental attitudes in a coastal community that has pressures for growth in a fragile ecology. Our survey finds t hat public opinion on environmental issues on Cape May has two dimensi ons: one concerned with development and growth, and the other with env ironmental health and safety. Attitudes toward the desirability of dev elopment originate from concerns with the loss of open space, populati on growth, and crowding. Opinions on the proper strictness of environm ental regulations originate from concerns for maintaining the local en vironment, including clean water and a healthy ocean and bay, and from participation in outdoors activities such as birdwatching. The two di mensions of environmentalism have implications for growth management i n coastal areas.