National Estuary Program Open House Showcases Environmental Successes

Open House visitors collect handouts.

Pronouncement in Recognition of the 20th Anniversary of the National Estuary Program (PDF) (1 pg, 85K, About PDF)

The Rachel Carson Room at US EPA was the centerpiece for a recent celebration of 20 extraordinary years of environmental results by the National Estuary Program (NEP) to protect and restore our national resources. More than 275 well-wishers joined Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles to commemorate two decades of work by community stakeholders around the country to improve the health of 28 estuaries of national significance - their waters, habitats, and living resources.

The Assistant Administrator spoke eloquently about estuary protection and the NEP, recognizing the Program’s wonderful accomplishments, the important role it plays implementing EPA programs and authorities, and gave full appreciation for all the people in the NEP and at EPA who are behind its mission. He then signed an announcement in recognition of the NEP 20th Anniversary - and its many dedicated stakeholders, partners, and volunteers who have worked so diligently over the years to protect and restore these special places across the Nation.

NEP directors and staff members were on hand to provide on-the-ground success stories and tips for effective, efficient, collaborative and adaptive NEP program approaches that now serve as a model for community-based organizations nationwide. Directors attending the event included Richard Ribb, Director, Narragansett Bay; Dave Blazer, Director, Maryland Coastal Bays; Kerry St. Pé, Director, Barataria-Terrebone Estuaries; Ed Lewandowski, Director, Center for the Inland Bays; Mark Tedesco, Director, Long Island Sound; and Jennifer Atkins, Director, Partnership for the Delaware Bay.

   A visitor stops by an Open House booth.

NEP Partnership Awards were given to several programs in attendance, to acknowledge the essential role of the NEPs in implementing the Clean Water Act. In fact, over 1 million acres of habitat have been protected and restored by the NEP and their partners - approximately the size of the State of Rhode Island; and over 1.1 billion dollars of non-federal funds have been leveraged by the NEPs -- that’s $16.50 for every dollar of EPA funding!

• The Massachusetts Bays wetlands program was recognized for its work in developing methods of assessing wetland condition, and for their support in creating a formal assessment manual that will help evaluate restoration and mitigation success. Accepting the award was Dave Evans, Director, Wetlands Division, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds.

• Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries’ achievements in enforcement were recognized for their help in issuing a determination which allowed the program to acquire over 500 acres of Nueces Delta wetland habitat.

• Delaware Inland Bays was applauded for its nonpoint source program in support of the Center for Inland Bay’s Poultry Integrators’ Nutrient Effort project, and the development of model farms in the watershed. Benita Best-Wong, Director of Assessment and Watershed Protection in the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, accepted.

• Maryland Coastal Bays was recognized for its efforts on coastal smart growth issues, and its provision of local support in comprehensive planning, zoning and alternative futures. Geoff Anderson, Director, Development, Community and Environmental Division, Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation, accepted.

• The Office of Research and Development was recognized for technical assistance to the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound NEP that will enable them to assess changes related to the long-term sustainability of the watershed. Rebecca Calderon, Acting Director, Office of Science Policy, accepted.

• The Drinking Water Protection Program was recognized for its support in implementing protection measures to improve water quality for 1.5 million surface/drinking water users in the Schuykill Watershed alongside the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary NEP. Accepting was Stephen Heare, Director, Drinking Water Protection Division.


Ed Lewandowski, Director of the Delaware Center for Inland Bays, sets up oysters in a tank for display.

• The Office of Wastewater Management was recognized for its managing wet weather with green infrastructure efforts, particularly at the Buzzards Bay NEP. Accepting was Jenny Molloy, Lead, Green Infrastructure Team, Office of Wastewater Management.

The NEP Open House was interesting, interactive, and informative. The event provided an important forum to share ideas and lessons learned about water quality and water resource issues, for EPA staff working on those issues to explore opportunities for collaboration, and helped raised awareness within EPA about the NEP.

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