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WHAT WILL IT COST? <br /> Many of the strategies oudined in this document are already being <br /> used by various government agencies,private citizens and businesses, <br /> and environmental watch groups. What the management plan pro- <br /> poses is a coordinated approach that will help make these efforts more <br /> efficient and effective. Where new initiatives are necessary, the plan <br /> generally recommends voluntary measures and incentives rather than <br /> mandatory regulation. <br /> • <br /> Implementing the CCMP's recommendations will involve increased <br /> costs to federal agencies,state and local governments,businesses,farms <br /> and individual households. The cost of administering the state and <br /> :.-. federal programs alone is estimated to be $12.5 million per year. In <br /> addition, governments will have to pay to acquire land, build new <br /> sewage plants,develop alternatives to septic tanks and initiate compre- <br /> hensive planning.The CCMP has attempted to estimate these public <br /> sector costs and to suggest possible funding sources. <br /> However,these initiatives also would entail costs to the private sector, <br /> • which are more difficult to quantify. <br /> ; <br /> In considering the costs of protecting the estuary, it is important to <br /> realize the tremendous economic value of these natural resources. <br /> Indeed, the price of NOT implementing the plan may be far greater <br /> than the relatively short-term burden to governments,businesses and <br /> citizens. If nothing is done to protect the estuary, fish harvests may <br /> continue to decline,tourism dollars may be lost to more pristine areas <br /> and considerable money may be required to clean up polluted waters. <br /> WHY Do IT NOW. <br /> Many people rely on the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary for their liveli- <br /> hood and quality of life.But what are we giving back?If current trends <br /> persist,we may be in danger of losing the very resources that make the <br /> region unique. <br /> The price of protecting the estuary may seem steep. But it is much <br /> more cost-efficient to address these problems now—while the region <br /> still is in relatively good shape—than to try to correct more serious <br /> problems later. <br /> Finally,investing in the environmental health of the estuarine system <br /> will help ensure that the Albemarle-Pamlico region remains clean,safe <br /> and economically viable for generations to come. <br /> • <br />