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Tools and Services
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GIS Map
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GIS Watershed Tools
Protection and restoration of coastal watersheds requires the synthesis of complex environmental issues. Contaminated site remediation, dredging and disposal of contaminated sediments, and restoring habitats are a few of the challenges facing coastal managers. The evaluation of multiple environmental issues can significantly improved by combining scientific data and watershed characteristics into a Geographic Information System (GIS).
NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration (ORR) has developed decision-support tools for specific watersheds to assist coastal communities with the assessment, cleanup and restoration of contaminated sites (including brownfields). Contaminated sediments and toxicity, natural resources, and potential habitat restoration projects can be overlaid on a watershed's features and land uses, and displayed on maps at flexible spatial scales. This approach simplifies data analysis and presentation, provides valuable tools for complex decision-making, and improves our understanding of dynamic aquatic ecosystems (see link below for more information about watershed tools).
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CPRD Restoration
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Scientific Support
Coastal Resource Coordinators (CRCs) are NOAA environmental scientists who work in EPA regional offices and provide a variety of technical support to coastal communities to assess, cleanup and restore contaminated sites, including:
• Information about sensitive habitats, fish, and other species that live, spawn, and feed in the affected area;
• Information on contaminants of concern and the ways contaminants could reach and impact natural resources;
• Expertise in designing scientifically sound sampling strategies to describe the nature and extent of contamination and potential adverse effects;
• Assistance with predicting and measuring the effects of contaminants on natural resources;
• Developing site-specific contaminant cleanup levels and recommending cost-effective approaches for assessment and cleanup;
• Assistance with designing monitoring plans to ensure the remedy protects the environment and natural resources; and,
• Implementing combined database and GIS mapping projects to evaluate coastal contamination and develop restoration solutions on a watershed-wide basis.
By working throughout the remedial process and considering the problem in a watershed-wide context, the CRC's strive to make the remedy as protective as possible of natural resources and their habitats (see link below for more information about CRCs).
Coastal Zone Management Program
The Coastal Zone Management Program through its strong partnerships with coastal states, helps revitalize community waterfronts and redevelop brownfields sites. Under the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management offers technical and financial assistance to states. The goal of this partnership is to empower states to design their own strategies to protect and revitalize coastal resources with federal funding and oversight. State agencies also develop their own criteria for allocating grants and services to local communities. Funding is typically not sufficient for site redevelopment but serves as seed money for projects such as feasibility studies, site assessments and master plan development.
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Gull at Sunset
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Smart Growth
NOAA supports brownfields redevelopment through the Smart Growth Network, a collection of organizations promoting smart growth. Smart growth is an approach that considers environmental, social and economic implications of development. When coastal communities redevelop brownfields, they "strengthen and direct development toward existing communities", which is one of the principles endorsed by the network. In addition, if paired with a land conservation approach, developing brownfields can offset pressure for developing greenfields (such as farms and forests). NOAA provides information and resources for communities on brownfields redevelopment and other tools to support smart growth through the Coastal Services Center.
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