It takes only the shortest of reflection to realize that those environments which support aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation are normally occupied by water or adjacent to it. Plants reveal variety in bands reflecting distance from the water’s edge. Knowing this, it is not difficult to conclude which environment is owned by water and which is not. If, in disregard of this principle, the eelgrass flats on either side of the bayshore are filled, it is clear that the capacity of the lagoon will have been diminished. The water will then occupy that area which it requires, inevitably covering the prior area now occupied by building. Moreover, in the process of filling and building it is likely that erosion will tend to fill the lagoon, making it more shallow and reducing its storm-water capacity. This will lead to a larger area of the built-up land being inundated in any storm.