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South Florida is at a crossroad in the environmental path, and a decision is necessary as to which branch to take. One branch could be labeled development and another preservation. The former would represent full-scale development of the area for man's use without thought for environmental consequences; the latter would refer to no further development and to an effort to restore the pristine environment.

As for most activities, there is a middle branch leading away from the crossroad which represents a harmonizing of man's demands and nature's needs. By developing and utilizing a thorough knowledge of the south Florida environmental system and of the flow of energy through that system, planning and development that balances society's desires against environmental values can occur and permit full use and enjoyment of south Florida's unique natural resources without destroying those resources.