Water: Oceans, Coasts, Estuaries & Beaches
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A
- Action Plan for Reducing, Mitigating, and Controlling Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico (PDF)
(36 pp, 6.4MB, About PDF)
- Aquatic Nuisance Species
The term "aquatic nuisance species" can refer to any plants, animals, or other viable biological material that enter an ecosystem beyond its historic range. Invasive species can cause environmental and economic damage to terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems.
- Artificial Reefs
See National Guidance: Best Management Practices for Preparing Vessels Intended to Create Artificial Reefs.
- Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
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B
- Ballast Water
- The Beach and Your Coastal Watershed (Fact Sheet)
- Biological Criteria for Coral Reefs
This paper provides the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with advice on the feasibility of establishing biological criteria for assessing coral reef ecosystems.
- Bold, Ocean Survey Vessel
- BOLD Annual Report 2006
- BOLD Annual Report 2007
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C
- Case Studies: Organizational Structures Relevant to Implementation of Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans (PDF)
(119 pp, 604K, About PDF)
- Clean Water Act Section 301(h)
- Clean Water Act Section 403
- Clean Water Action Plan: Coastal Research and Monitoring Strategy
- CCMP, Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans for the National Estuary programs
- Coastal America
- Coastal Habitats
The continued health and biodiversity of marine and estuarine systems depends on the maintenance of high-quality habitat. The same areas that often attract human development also provide essential food, cover, migratory corridors, breeding/nursery areas for a broad array of coastal and marine organisms. Habitat loss and degradation are key issues facing coasts and estuaries around the country.
- Coastal Watershed Fact Sheets
- Coastlines Newsletter
National Estuary Program Newsletter - Information About Estuaries and Near Coastal Waters
- Committee on the Marine Transportation System (CMTS)
- Community-Based Watershed Management
Lessons from the National Estuary Program
- Community Culture and the Environment (PDF)
(293 pp, 10.3MB, About PDF)
- Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans (CCMP)
- Conference on Managing Sediments in the Watershed: Bringing Dredged Material and Watershed Managers Together
August 2006 Conference in Portland, Oregon
- Cookbook of Innovations in Coastal Protection (PDF)
(183 pp, 1MB, About PDF)
- Coral Reef Task Force
Executive Order 13089 focuses on Coral Reef Protection "to preserve and protect the biodiversity, health, heritage, and social and economic value of U.S. coral reef ecosystems and the marine environment." And established the Coral Reef Task force. The Executive Order directs all federal agencies to protect coral reef ecosystems to the extent feasible, and instructs particular agencies to develop coordinated, science-based plans to restore damaged reefs as well as mitigate current and future impacts on reefs, both in the United States and around the globe.
- Coral Reefs
Introduction to EPA's initiatives and activities in protecting coral reefs habitats.
- Coral Reefs - Guidance
Guidance letter from the Memorandum for the Field from the Corps of Engineers relating to special emphasis to be given to coral reef protection under the Clean Water Act, Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, and Federal Project Authorities.
- Coral Reefs - Monitoring
- Charting a Course Toward Diagnostic Monitoring: A Continuing Review of Coral Reef Attributes and a Research Strategy for Creating Coral Reef Indexes of Biotic Integrity.
- A Coral Reef Symposium on Practical, Reliable, Low Cost Monitoring Methods for Assessing the Biota and Habitat Conditions of Coral Reefs (PDF)
(86 pp, 416K, About PDF)
- Charting a Course Toward Diagnostic Monitoring: A Continuing Review of Coral Reef Attributes and a Research Strategy for Creating Coral Reef Indexes of Biotic Integrity.
- Coral Reefs and Your Coastal Watershed (Fact Sheet)
- Cruise Ship Water Discharges
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D
- Dredged Material - Management
- Dredged Material Management and State Coastal Management Programs: Lessons from a Workshop in New Orleans, Louisiana in January 1999
- Dredging - Alternatives
Environmental Effects of Dredged Material Management Alternatives -- a Technical Framework Document.
- Dredging - MARAD Report (PDF) (41 pp, 201K, About PDF)
The Dredging Process in the United States: An Action Plan for Improvement. The Interagency Working Group On the Dredging Process, A Report to the Secretary of Transportation - December 1994.
- Dumping
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E
- Estimating Estuarine Pollutant Loading From Atmospheric Deposition Using Casco Bay, Maine as a Case Study, May 2003 (PDF)
(25 pp, 744K, About PDF)
- Estuaries and Your Coastal Watershed (Fact Sheet)
- Estuaries: Where Rivers Meet the Sea: 10 Ways to Protect Estuaries (Flyer)
- Estuary Restoration
- Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal - Testing Manual
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F
- Floating Debris
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
- Framework for Dredged Material Evaluations
Evaluating Environmental Effects of Dredged Material Management Alternatives - a Technical Framework Document
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G
- "Green Book"
Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal - Testing Manual
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H
- Habitat Protection and Restoration Overview
Users can visually track the National Estuary Program's progress toward achieving its habitat restoration goals through interactive graphics and maps.
- Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Reports
- Action Plan for Reducing, Mitigating, and Controlling Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico (PDF)
(36 pp, 6.4MB, About PDF) - Reassessment of Point Source Nutrient Mass Loadings to the Mississippi River Basin, November 2006 (PDF)
(31 pp, 1.2MB, About PDF) - Management Action Review Team Report (PDF)
(31 pp, 3.6MB, About PDF)
- Action Plan for Reducing, Mitigating, and Controlling Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico (PDF)
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I
- Indicator Development for Estuaries
Specific measurable markers used to assess the health of the environment.
- Introduced Species See Invasive Species
- Invasive Species
The term "invasive species" can refer to any plants, animals, or other viable biological material that enter an ecosystem beyond its historic range. They can invade any terrestrial or aquatic ecosystem. Human activities, both intentional and non-intentional, are the chief cause of invasive species introductions.
- Invasive Species -- Overview of EPA Authorities for Natural Resource Managers Developing Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response and Management Plans
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K
- Kids
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M
- Management Action Review Team Report (PDF)
(31 pp, 3.6MB, About PDF)
- Marine Debris Abatement also: En Español
- Marine Debris Curriculum
- Marine Debris - Letters from Student
- Marine Sanitation Devices (MSD's)
- Marine Transportation System (MTS) See Committee on the Marine Transportation System
- Measuring Progress of Estuary Programs (PDF)
(100 pp, 911K, About PDF)
- Mississippi River Basin and Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia
- Monitoring and Assessing the Health of Our Oceans and Coastal Waters: OSV Bold 2006 Annual Report
- Monitoring and Assessing the Health of Our Oceans and Coastal Waters: OSV Bold 2007 Annual Report
- Monitoring Guidance for the National Estuary Program (PDF)
(75 pp, 498K, About PDF)
- MSD's, See Marine Sanitation Devices
- MTS, Marine Transportation System See Committee on the Marine Transportation System
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N
- National Coastal Condition Report 2001 - Assessment of Coastal Waters
This report describes the overall condition of the U.S. coastal waters, primarily estuaries in the continental United States where rivers meet the ocean. Indicators of coastal conditions included water quality, sediment quality, biota, habitat, and ecosystem integrity, relating to ecological and human health.
- National Coastal Condition Report 2005
Reports on progress made since the 2001 report.
- National Guidance: Best Management Practices for Preparing Vessels Intended to Create Artificial Reefs
- National Estuary Program Coastal Condition Report 2007
Reports on selected National Estuary Program conditions.
- National Dredging Team
An interagency team promoting timely and cost-effective dredging that meets the Nation's environmental protection, restoration, and enhancement goals.
- Near Shore Waters and Your Coastal Watershed (Fact Sheet)
- No-Discharge Zones for Vessel Sewage
- Non Indigenous Species See Invasive Species
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O
- OSV Bold (EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel)
- Oceans and Coasts Need Our Help
- Ocean Discharge Criteria
- Ocean Dumping
- Overview of EPA Authorities for Natural Resource Managers Developing Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response and Management Plans
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P
- Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment
- Plastic Wastes Recycled from Naval Vessels
- Posters
- Protecting our Waterways
An article from the Foghorn
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R
- Reassessment of Point Source Nutrient Mass Loadings to the Mississippi River Basin, November 2006 (PDF)
(31 pp, 1.2MB, About PDF)
- Research vessel
- Reducción/Disminución de la Basura Marina also: English Version
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T
- Testing Dredged Material
Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal - Testing Manual
- Treasured Waters: Protecting Our Coastal And Marine Resources (PDF)
(27 pp, 423K, About PDF)
- Treaties
- Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region
- “London Convention”
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution from the Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972 (Ocean Dumping)
- Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region
- Turning the Tide on Trash
A Learning Guide on Marine Debris
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U
- UNDS see Uniform National Discharge Standards
- Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS)
- Using Your Head to Help Protect Our Aquatic Resources (Brochure)
Addresses the impact of untreated sewage from boats.
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V
- Vessel Discharges
- Vessel Sewage Discharge Program (and No-Discharge Zones)
- Volunteer Activities
- Volunteer Monitoring in Estuaries
This manual presents information and methodologies specific to estuarine water quality. The audience includes volunteers and organizers of volunteers who monitor estuaries on a volunteer basis.
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Y
- Your Coastal Watershed (Fact Sheet)