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approximately 30,000 acres of impoundments, of which 16,000 acres are within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Practically all the impoundments outside of the refuge are privately owned. Research has shown impoundments are a very effective method of controlling mosquitoes, but it also has shown that this isolated marsh definitely is a functional loss for the Indian River Lagoon system. The practice of impoundment has had some environmental liabilities; it can interfere with the exchange of organisms, and also excessive flooding can kill the high marsh vegetation, which leads to an unproductive system. These estuaries also play a role in offshore fisheries. Mr. Carlson continued that the need for multi purpose management encouraged the formation of this Technical Sub- committee, which was formed in 1983. Prior to its formation, various environmental groups were encouraging the breach of mosquito impoundment dikes, but this was not acceptable to Mosquito Control agencies. Compromise management methods are needed which benefit both Mosquito Control and environmental interests. The research project undertaken in 1982 is still going on, and the total bill for this research is approaching 2 million dollars. This research is showing that impoundment management for fish and wildlife enhancement is possible, and in fact, can be very compatible with mosquito control objectives. Mr. Carlson informed the Board that there is a 50 acre impound- ment located on the barrier island at the St. Lucie/Indian River border that has received more study than possibly any such area on the east coast of the United States, and it shows how a productive unimpounded high marsh can become relatively unproductive after impoundment and then be returned to an integral part of the lagoon ecosystem. Mr. Carlson introduced Grant Gilmore, an icthyologist with Harbor Grant Foundation and an expert on salt marsh fisheries on the east coast of Florida. 25 FEB 2 6 1986 Boa 6-3 r,�c,c 738