DeCouto will be read by hundreds of members of an influential body in the United States.

Mrs. DeCouto's report has been published in the American Society of Civil Engineers' Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice.

Entitled "Responsible Management of Tourist Island'', it will be studied by civil engineers and trainees across the US.

The former Environment Minister noted in the article that there was not necessarily a contradiction in arguing for economic growth and environmental good sense. "The challenge is to integrate and balance the two,'' she said.

Mrs. DeCouto stressed the importance of development being carried out in a way to protect amenities important to quality of life and the major industry -- tourism.

"Living on a small Island, Bermudians have long been aware of the need to conserve limited natural resources,'' she wrote.

"From the earliest of days staple food supplies had to be imported and simple commodities , such as flour, were cherished.

"Shortages of such commodities were commonplace and helped shape people's attitudes and way of life in Bermuda.'' Bermuda's record of environmental management dates back to 1620 when the Island's first Parliament passed a law to protect juvenile sea turtles that were being slaughtered by early settlers. Mrs. DeCouto said it was believed to be one of the world's earliest pieces of conservation law.

She said: "Given Bermuda's immense population density of 1,160 persons per square kilometre -- which must be one of the highest in the world -- some might argue that sustainable development in any form would not be possible in our case.

"I don't agree. As the Minister of Government responsible for land-use planning, I have, in July 1992, implemented a new development plan that has as its main tenet sustainable development.'' Mrs. DeCouto stressed the difference between sustainable development and self sufficiency, which was long gone in terms of food production, commodities and manufactured goods.

Concerning marine resources she said: "We have recognised the value of our marine resources, particularly our coral reefs and gaily coloured reef fishes, lies as much in their use for recreation as in their use for food.'' Providing resources to meet community needs was becoming more difficult, according to the Minister.

"Unquestionably the major challenge facing Bermudians today and in the future is to make the wisest possible use of one of its most precious resources -- land.

"Development has traditionally been spread throughout the Island but the rapid growth of our economy over the past several decades has greatly reduced our options, particularly in the central parishes.'' Mrs. DeCouto believed the greatest environmental challenge of the next decade in Bermuda was energy production. Bermuda's almost total reliance on fossil fuels for energy production presented both economic and environmental challenges.

She asserted that engineers could play a role in sustainable development on the Island, which meant development must recognise needs and also limitations by the environment.

In the journal, Bermuda was described as "a microcosm of the world, reflecting the world's environmental problems.''