Formulating a boating capacity planning system for Chesapeake and Chincoteague Bays

Large numbers of boats in estuarine water bodies of limited size and depth may cause undesireable overcrowding, adverse environmental effects, or both. The results of the first phase of a two phase research and management planning study of recreational boating in Chesapeake and Chincotea gue Bays* have identified the structural and operational characteristics of boating activities and facility construction which, from the reviewed literature, are acknowledged to affect boat-user satisfaction or sensitive environmental indicators. Although biological carrying capacity de terminations appear to remain problematic and less preferable than control of pollution causative factors at the source, estimations of boating user satisfaction carrying capacity are more easily achievable. An 11 step capacity planning system has been formulated as a result.