The former U.S. base of Gournes (FUSBG) is located on the northeastern coast of the island of Crete under the regional authority of Hersonissos, a municipality with a coastline of 38 km and a population of more than 27,000 inhabitants. Hersonissos is one of the most important tourist destinations in Greece, representing 15% of the country's tourism resources. During the summer season, there is a substantial flow of touristic visitors, who are accommodated in a large number of hotels. The total surface of the FUSBG is 2.98 km(2) with only 38% in use and providing a range of facilities. In some cases, FUSBG facilities either malfunction or do not function at all, partly because of the financial and economic crisis Greece has been facing since 2007. In 2011, the Greek Parliament passed a law (Gazette: 3986/152/1-7-2011), which allows the so-called "fast track" procedure for purchasing or leasing of public enterprises and property, in order to meet national financial obligations towards the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. FUSBG is included in the list of properties suitable for this procedure. To combat the very real risk of uncontrolled future growth of this coastal area, fuelled by the private sector and disregarding the common good and environmental protection, we put forward a proposal that depends on a strategy of rapid actions, based on an analysis of the existing legislative and institutional framework, together with an exploration of the most important environmental components focusing on the development of the FUSBG. Tools applied in the analysis, such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and a Beach Vulnerability Index (BVI) to anticipated sea-level rise, are proposed as important means for setting up the overall framework for a successful Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) implementation in the study area. Additionally, the establishment of a management board consisting of a wide range of local stakeholders from the public and private sectors is strongly recommended, ensuring local interests and enhancing public awareness on issues relevant to the FUSBG's sustainable development. Loss of faith in institutions may result in a need to draw up new cycles of consultations and agreements between different parties that will be built up on trust and transparent procedures, to ensure benefits for the civil society, respect of cultural heritage issues and co-management of the area.
