The report proposes an ecologically responsible land use decision-making system for local, regional and, to an extent, state governments. Referred to as LUDMS, it is based on conclusions that local governments have not dealt effectively with land use problems because traditional planning and land use control devices are unecological, unresponsive and unsystematic. The fundamental premise of LUDMS is that environmentally responsible land use planning and control must be based on valid ecological information combined with enlightened and informed public opinion. LUDMS makes use of several basic concepts, including policy planning (a process for combining public opinion with scientific and technical information to create community policies); use of an interdisciplinary team; public participation; an environmental resources inventory and analysis; a staff which understands and can communicate about ecology; legal devices for land use control; and positive community programs. 'Model' state and local codes for implementing LUDMS are provided.

"March 1975." "Grant No. R802423." "Program Element 1HA098." "ROAP No. 21AKL TASK No. 13." "Dr. Martin J. Redding Project Officer, Washington Environmental Research Center, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency." Includes bibliographical references (pages 76-86).