THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE COASTAL ZONE

This article provides a methodology for estimating the economic value of the coastal zone. That methodology is used to construct estimates o f ''GNP-originating'' in the coastal zone, in aggregate, and as a perc ent of individual coastal states' and national Gross National Product (GNP). The results are quite dramatic: in 1985, GNP-originating in the coastal zone totalled approximately $1.5 trillion, or some 31 percent of U.S. GNP. The coastal zone has become more important over time. Co astal states vary, however, in their economic reliance on their coasta l zones. Even when states' required matches are included, the ratio of federal Coastal Zone Management Act spending to coastal GNP is almost 1:2000. Given the fragility of the coastal environment and its consid erable importance to the U.S. economy, those ratios seem quite favorab le and tilt in favor of continued spending on coastal zone management programs.