[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                CONSERVING THE NATION"S
                  COASTS AND ESTUARIES



                      A Strategic Plan for the
                    National Estuarine Research
                          Reserve System:
                  A State and Federal Partnership





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      104                  January, 1995      Je
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                        CONSERVING THE NATION'S
                            COASTS AND ESTUARIES



                                      A Strategic Plan for the
                                 National Estuarine Research
                                             Reserve System:
                              A State and Federal Partnership
                                                  fanuary, 1995







                                               U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                               Ronald H. Brown, Secretary

                                               National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
                                               D. James Baker, Under Secretary


                                               National Ocean Service
                                               W. Stanley Wilson, Assistant Administrator

                                               Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
                                               Jeffrey R. Benoit, Director




                                National Estuarine
                                Research Reserve
                                System










                           Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                                                                           Contents



                                          Introduction       ...............................................................................I
                                                   Program History           .............................................................2
                                                   Importance of Coasts and Estuaries                  ................................ 2
                                                   Status of Coasts and Estuaries              ........................................ 4
                                                   The Future of NERRS              ....................................................7
                                          Mission     .......................................................................................8
                                          Goal 1 - Representative Protected Areas                   ................................... 9
                                          Goal 2 - Partnership          .................................................................. 13
                                          Goal 3 - Informed Coastal Management and Stewardship                               .......  18
                                          Goal 4 - Scientific Understanding through Research                         ................ 21
                                          Goal 5 - Education          .................................................................... 28
                                          Appendices        ................................................................................ 32
                                                   Appendix A, Glossary of Acronyms                    ............................... 33
                                                   Appendix B, Recommendations of the Review Panel
                                                      on the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.. 34
                                                   Appendix C, Photo Credits               ............................................. 36










                       Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System



                                 THE NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE SYSTEM


                                 The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS or the System), a
                                 state-federal partnership, is a nationwide network of state owned and managed
                                 coastal protected areas designated and supported by the U.S. Department of
                                 Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The
                                 sites (Fig. 1) represent the diverse estuarine and estuarine-like systems of
                                 America's oceanic and Great Lakes coasts, setting them aside for long-term
                                 scientific and education programs that provide information essential to the
                                 public and coastal management decision-makers. The System is authorized by
                                 Section 315, National Estuarine Research Reserve System, of the Coastal Zone
                                 Management Act of 1972, as amended (CZMA).



                                         Padilla Bay, WA                   #St. Lawrence River, NY
                                                                     Old Woman Creek, OH Huo@on Rl@lver N
                                                     1 11-1                                       ell@, Y
                                                                                                      ME
                                   South Slough OR                                                ludl Bay, NH
                                                                                                Waquoit Bay MA
                                                                                               Narragansett Bay, Rl
                                 #San Francisco Bay                                           lulfica River, NJ
                                                                                             Delaware
                                  Elkhorn Slough, CA                                        Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
                                                                                             hesapeake Bay, Virginia
                                                                                           North Carolina
                                      Tijuana River, CA                                   @Iorth ln(et/Winyah Bay, SC
                                                                                         ACE Basin, SC
                                                                                        Sapelo Island, GA
                                                                                         East Coast of Florida
                                        Waimanu Valley, HI
                                                                      Weeks Bay, AL R  kery Bay, FL
                                              DESIGNATED SITES        Apalachi ola Bay, FL         lip Jobos Bay, PR
                                              PROPOSED SITES



                                    Fig. 1: National Estuarine Research Reserve System as of October, 1994



                                 This plan for the system is a collaborative effort of state and federal NERRS
                                 program managers and specialists and clearly articulates the Program's mission,
                                 goals, and policies. It is based on the policies and objectives of the CZMA and
                                 20 years of experience in implementing these at each estuarine research reserve
                                 and the national program level. It reflects our shared view of the System's future
                                 and its significant role in the protection and management of our nation's estua-
                                 rine and coastal ecosystems.





                                                                I




                 91 Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System
                                             PROGRAM HISTORY


                 Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 authorized the estab-
                 lishment of "estuarine sanctuaries" to serve as field laboratories for the conduct
                 of research and education related to enhancing coastal management. The first
                 estuarine sanctuary was designated in 1974 by the U.S. Department of Com-
                 merce, NOAA, in South Slough, Oregon, a 4,637 acre sub-embayment of Coos
                 Bay. In 1985 the Congress amended the CZMA, changing the name of the
                 Program to the National Estuarine Research Reserve System and increasing the
                 research dimension of the program. Over the past two decades approximately
                 one new reserve has been designated per year. As of October 1, 1994, 22 re-
                 serves have been designated, placing nearly 425,000 acres of estuarine waters,
                 wetlands, and uplands into active management and stewardship. These 22
                 reserves represent 17 of the 29 biogeographic subregions identified by the
                 program in 1981 (Fig. 2, page 9).


                         THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR COASTS AND ESTUARIES


                 America's coasts, estuaries, and oceans are among its most valuable natural,
                 economic, and cultural resources. They are a significant generator of economic
                 value, as illustrated by sources cited in the Coastal Ocean Policy Roundtable's
                 report, The 1992 Coastal Status Report: A Pilot Study of the U.S. Coastal Zone
                 and its Resources (September 1992, Newark, Delaware):

                        Domestic commercial fisheries catch in 1989 was 8,463 million pounds
                        valued at $3.2 million.

                        Nearly 22 million people fished recreationally in U.S. marine and Great
                        Lakes waters in 1985 contributing over $4.9 billion to coastal economies
                        in trip expenditures alone.

                        In 1985 approximately $6.1 billion was spent on the purchase of new
                        and used boats of all types; $11 billion were expended on motors, en-
                        gines, accessories, safety equipment, fuel, insurance, docking, mainte-
                        nance, launching, storage, repairs, and club membership.

                        Over 5,000 marinas were in operation in 26 states, territories, and the
                        District of Columbia.

                        America's 190 seaports, with 1,915 seaport terminals offering 3,180
                        berths for commercial carriers, handled over 60,000 vessel entrances and
                        clearances in 1988, with foreign cargo alone valued at over $400 billion
                        in exports and imports.



                                                                  2










                      Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System












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                                 Estuaries are important producers of sustainable natural resources


                                 America's coasts and oceans are important not only for their obvious economic
                                 value in the form of lively urban waterfronts, ports, fisheries, and opportunities
                                 for recreation and tourism, but also for their aesthetic value as a source of
                                 continual renewal of the human spirit. Whether it's the passing flight of sea-
                                 birds, the rush of wind in dune grasses, or the flash of silver-sided fish swim-
                                 ming by, these are resources that nourish the human soul as well as the body.
                                 They are the very foundation of human culture. We have lived near the seas,
                                 used their resources, and worked and traveled on them since before recorded
                                 history. Today our challenge is to assure that the growing global population can
                                 live in harmony with the coastal and ocean environment while benefiting mate-
                                 rially from its richness. We must learn how to coexist with a coral reef, improve
                                 our methods of using the land, and develop and encourage an ethic of treating
                                 the world's resources with a sense of personal stewardship.






                                                                3










                       Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System


                       THE STATUS OF OUR COASTS AND ESTUARIES TODAY


                Many of America's coastal and ocean resources, despite their importance to the
                nation, are declining in quantity, quality, and variety. Wetlands continue to be
                lost; fisheries are declining; coastal storins inflict serious damage to coastal
                property and threaten lives; and less land is available for water-dependent uses
                as our finite coasts are used for noh-water-dependent purposes. Our coastal
                ecosystems are exhibiting signs of stress:

                       More than one third of the nation's waters classified for shellfishing had
                       some form of harvest restriction during 1990 - an increase of six
                       percent since 1984 - due largely to the impact of poorly planned
                       coastal development.

                       Overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution have reduced populations of vir-
                       tually all estuarine and inshore species of fish to historically low levels.








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                         Estuaries serve a variety of uses, many of which may conflict






                                                               4









                      Strategic Plan - Nat ional Estuarine Research Reserve System

                                Demands for coastal resource use continue to increase; competition is fierce and
                                uses are often conflicting. More and more people continue to live and work near
                                the coast, and use our coastal resources.


                                        In Florida, coastal towns are growing four times faster than the United
                                        States as a whole.


                                        In California, populations of ten coastal counties have grown at least 20
                                        percent over the last decade.

                                        Population density along U.S. coasts is ten times greater than inland.

                                Trends point towards substantial population growth and other increasing pres-
                                sures on coastal resources into the next century. Although various government
                                management programs have slowed the rate of resource destruction and harmful
                                modification of coastal resources, pressures are increasing and often overwhelm
                                existing institutions and resources alike. As these trends continue, the direct as
                                well as the cumulative and secondary impacts of coastal development on coastal
                                resources will be high and the maintenance of high quality resources will be
                                costly.


                                        Coastal development will continue to modify shorelines, change estua-
                                        rine and coastal water circulation, increase coastal erosion and thereby
                                        increase the risk to lives and property from coastal stonns, and modify
                                        or completely destroy important habitats, including wetlands, seagrass
                                        beds, and entire coastal ecosystems, such as the coral reef/seagrass/
                                        mangrove ecosystems of the Florida Keys and Florida Bay.

                                        Coastal development associated with population growth will increase
                                        sediment loads as well as nutrient and toxic discharges which will
                                        further degrade coastal waters and areas of important ecological value.

                                        Marine recreation is already the fastest-growing sector of the economies
                                        of many coastal regions. Demands for the maintenance of a high-quality
                                        environment for coastal recreation and access to special areas will
                                        increase significantly.










                                                                 5










                          5trategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System
                   The threat of increased stress on resources is significant. NOAA estimates that
                   by the year 2000 in the coastal regions of this country alone:

                   a      The demand for potable water will increase by at least 10 percent.

                   &      The demand for energy will increase by at least 12 percent.

                   0      Sewage will increase by 18 percent.

                   a      Trash will increase by 19 percent.

                   0      7 million more houses will be constructed.

                   0      11 million more cars will be on coastal highways.


                   We must take action if our coastal resources are to be sustained. The National
                   Estuarine Research Reserve System, with its emphasis on resource stewardship,
                   monitoring of estuarine conditions, management-oriented research, technical
                   information transfer, and environmental education is an important part of the
                   solution to these problems.






                                                                        Traditional ways of life, as
                                                                        well as the healthy natural
                                                                         resources on which they
                                                                        depend, are threatened by
                                                                            rapid development
                                 7@






















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                      Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System


                                                              THEFUTURE


                                Both the urgency of need and the role the reserve system can play have been
                                recognized. The Review Panel on the National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                System, in the transmittal of their recent report on the System (Building a
                                Valuable National Asset: An Assessment by the Review Panel on the National
                                Estuarine Research Reserve System, Center for Marine Policy Study, Graduate
                                College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, October 1993)
                                to NOAA stated:



                                      Given the major importance @f the estuaries of our nation and the
                                      wide variety of management problems facing U.S. coastal areas, we
                                      find that the NERRS program is even more significant today than
                                      when it was created more than two decades ago. Improved cost
                                      effective stewardship of our invaluable coastal resources - be they
                                      fish, wetlands, or beaches and dunes - depends upon increased
                                      scientific understanding of the estuaries and how theyfunction. The
                                      NERRS is creating a system of representative estuarine sites to
                                      serve exactly thatfunction.


                                The Panel also found that -


                                       it is time for a new phase of NERRS to begin - one that moves beyond
                                       site acquisition and development tofocus on better definition of the
                                       national goals and objectives served by the program, and, at the same
                                       ti.me, preserves the state-federal partnership which provides much of
                                       the central driving force for the overall effort.


                                Accepting this challenge and considering the recommendations of the Review
                                Panel, state and federal staff have worked as partners to develop this Strategic
                                Plan for the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, clarifying our mis-
                                sion, goals, and objectives to guide program actions as a national system.












                                                              7










                      Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System




                                               MISSION


                  The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a pro-
                  tected areas network of federal, state, and community part-
                  nerships which serve to promote informed management of
                  the Nation's estuarine and coastal habitats through linked
                  programs of stewardship, public education, and scientific
                  understanding.




               The Reserve System's state and federal partners have identified five goals to
               guide our actions in support of this mission.


               GOAL 1: REPRESENTATIVE PROTECTED AREAS
               Establish, manage, and maintain a national network of protected areas repre-
               senting the diverse biogeographic and typological estuarine ecosystems of the
               United States.


               GOAL 2: PARTNERSHIP
               Mobilize federal, state, and community resources to mutually define and
               achieve coastal protection and management goals and objectives.


               GOAL 3: INFORMED MANAGEMENT AND STEWARDSHIP
               Operate the NERRS as a national program contributing to informed, integrated
               management of the Nation's coastal ecosystems.

               GOAL 4: SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING THROUGH RESEARCH
               Design and implement a comprehensive program of scientific research to
               address coastal management issues and their fundamental underlying processes.

               GOAL 5: EDUCATION
               Design and implement a comprehensive program of education and interpretation
               based on solid scientific principles to strengthen the understanding, apprecia-
               tion, and stewardship of estuaries, coastal habitats, and associated watersheds.






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                  Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System


                  Goal I                                   Statutory Authority
                  REPRESENTATIVE               The Secretary may designate an area as a national
                  PROTECTED                    estuarine reserve if... the area is a representative estua-
                  AREAS                        rine ecosystem that is suitable for long-term research
                                               and contributes to the biogeographical and typological
                  Establish, manage,           balance of the System ... and the law of the coastal State
                  and maintain a               provides long-term protection for reserve resources to
                  national system of           ensure a stable environmentfor research. (Section
                  protected areas              315(b)(2)(A) and (B) of the CZMA)
                  representing the            For purposes of the NERRS, NOAA has divided the
                  diverse biogeo-             coastal United States into I I biogeographic regions and
                  graphic and typo-           29 subregions (see sidebar on page 10 and Fig. 2 be-
                  logical estuarine           low). Within these are a wide variety of associated
                  ecosystems of the           typologies consisting of two attributes: ecosystem types
                  United States.              (types of shorelands, transition areas, and submerged
                                              bottoms) and physical characteristics (geologic, hydro-
                                              graphic, and chemical). Currently, 17 of the Nation's
                                              biogeographic subregions, and important typolog ies
                                              within subregions, are represented by the System.


                                                   F
                                                   SUb-Arclic


                                                   2 6*



                                                        2 5 2 4




                                                                            Greal Lakes
                                              C@Iurnbl j 8                @12 0
                                                   an
                                                                                 23
                                                                                       2 Acadian
                                                   17                       2    -
                                               _-@ 1 6                                 3
                                                   15                                 4 -
                                              Calffornian                           5  Virginian


                                                   14

                                                                                  7 C-lini..

                                                     -27 .1b.                11
                                                   9 *                   1 2 * @
                                                    Insular (>       1 3  uslanian  10
                                                                        Lo
                                                                                  . West Indian
                                                       2 8

                                                     Fig. 2NERRS Biogeographic Regions
                                                     ,_@, I. @*\@ . @






                                                       * Regions not currently represented


                                                   9










                         Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System
                  Biogeograpic Classifications       States work in cooperation with NOAA to identify
                  as Defined in NERRS                potential new reserves. They are officially nominated
                  Regulations                        by a state's governor for designation by the Secretary of
                                                     the U.S. Department of Commerce. Completion of the
                  Acadian                            national system, as currently envisioned, will require:
                   1. Northern Gulf of Mai .ne
                                                     the identification of new sites; the designation and
                   2. Southern Gulf of Maine
                                                     initial establishment of these sites; and management of
                  Virginian
                   3. Southern New England           new and existing reserves at a fully operational level
                   4. Middle Atlantic                that enables them to meet program mission and goals.
                   5. Chesapeake Bay
                  Carolinian
                                                             Complete the Reserve System relative to
                   6. Northern Carolinas
                                                             estuarine biogeography and typology.
                   7. South Atlantic
                   8. East Florida
                                                                      Evaluate existing biogeographic/
                  West Indian                                         typologic classification including bound-
                   9. Caribbean                                       aries of designated sites within the
                  10. West Florida
                                                                      present system (plus existing marine
                  Louisianian
                  11. Panhandle Coast                                 sanctuaries and other coastal natural
                  12. Mississippi Delta                               areas/programs that affect regional
                  13. Western Gulf                                    protection).
                  Californian
                  14. Southern California                             Convene external review committee
                  15. Central California                              composed of scientists, state representa-
                  16. San Francisco Bay
                                                                      tives, and other members that represent
                  Columbian                                           the various reserve uses to select and
                  17. Middle Pacific
                                                                      prioritize sites to fill "gaps" in the
                  18. Washington Coast
                                                                      System.
                  19. Puget Sound
                  Great Lakes
                                                                      D
                  20. Lake Superior                                    etermine roles of reserves in protection
                  2 1. Lakes Michigan &                               of biodiversity.
                      Huron
                  22. Lake Erie
                                                             Support the designation process to ensure
                  23. Lake Ontario
                                                             necessary sites are added to the System.
                  Fjord
                  24. Southern Alaska                                 Work with states containing potential
                  25. Aleutian Islands
                  Sub-Arctic                                          reserve sites to obtain state and local
                  26. Northern Alaska                                 support for their designation and long-
                  Insular                                             term management.
                  27. Hawaiian Islands
                  28. Eastern Pacific Islands
                  29. Western Pacific Islands


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                         Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System
                                                                                 Ensure state commitment to long-term
                         Efficient Management                                    support and management of the reserve
                                                                                 and its component program activities.
                         Program performance is a
                         continuing concern for the                              Provide the state and federal financial
                         System. The program                                     support to ensure sites are designated in
                         evaluation process, as                                  a timely manner.
                         required in Section 312 of
                         the CZMA, is the primary                                Provide the state and federal staff to
                         means by which NOAA
                                                                                 ensure sites are designated in a timely
                         ensures adherence of the
                         reserves to CZMA program-                               manner.
                         matic requirements. Evalua-
                                                                                 Explore options for inclusion of other
                         tions are generally per-
                         formed at each site once                                protected areas within reserve bound-
                         every three years. The                                  aries or within watersheds to fulfill
                         overall management of each                              program missions while reducing overall
                         reserve is evaluated on                                 costs to the taxpayer.
                         three general criteria: (1)
                         adherence to the approved       i              Ensure national system and site standards
                         Final Management Plan
                                                                        are clearly derined and reserves are properly
                         (FMP); (2) adherence to the                    managed.
                         terms offederalfinancial
                         assistance awards; and (3)
                         adherence to required                                   Provide the federal financial support to
                         actions from previous                                   implement all aspects of a national
                         Section 312 evaluations.                                program.
                         Specific evaluation criteria
                         include the state's imple-                              Provide the federal staff support to
                         mentation of:
                                                                                 implement all aspects of a national
                            - research plan                                      program.
                            - education and interpre-
                              tation plan                                        Review and revise, as needed, the
                            - public access plan                                 implementing Federal Regulations for
                            - facility development                               NERRS.
                              plan
                            - acquisition plan                                   Maintain a continuing process of na-
                            - resource protection
                                                                                 tional and reserve- specific evaluation
                              plan                                               and review.

                                     ------------- ------ -

                                                                                 Maintain a continuing, active, participa-
                                                                                 tory planning process to proactively
                                                                                 address national coastal resource man-
                                                                                 agement and program specific issues.










                            Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                                                                             Develop staffing, facilities, and service
                                                                             criteria and standards to define when a
                                                                             designated reserve is fully operational.
                   Summary of Designated
                   Reserve Lands and Waters                                  Use these standards and criteria as a
                     Site                                                    basis for site development, designation,
                     Acreage                                                 operation, planning, and evaluation.
                     Apalachicola 193,758
                     ACE Basin          136,600                     Proactively address reserve stewardship
                     Chesapeake           4,848                     issues.
                       Bay, MD
                     Chesapeake           4,434                              Recognize resource stewardship as a
                       Bay, VA                                               primary function of reserves.
                     Delaware             8,600
                     Elkhorn Slough       1,400                              Ensure adequate boundaries and/or
                     Great Bay            5,280                              levels of state control for each reserve
                     Hudson River         4,838                              during management plan revisions (i.e.,
                     Jobos Bay            2,800
                     Narragansett         4,950                              every five years) and evaluations under
                     North Carolina      10,000                              ï¿½312 of the CZMA.
                     North Inlet          9,080
                     Old Woman Creek 571                                     Develop programs and partnerships to
                     Padilla Bay         10,700                              address management issues within and
                     Rookery Bay         12,550                              outside of reserve boundaries including
                     Sapelo Island        6,111                              strong linkages to state CZM programs
                     South Slough         4,700                              for site protection.
                     Tijuana River        2,500
                     Waimanu              3,600                              Define reserve policies concerning
                     Waquoit Bay          2,250                              habitat manipulation, restoration and
                     Weeks Bay            3,028
                     Wells                1,600                              exotic species management.

                     Total              434,198                              Serve as an advocate for estuarine health
                                                                             by facilitating information exchange on
                                                                             stewardship issues.

                                                                             Encourage and promote "best manage-
                                                                             ment practices" (BMPs) in all steward-
                                                                             ship endeavors.







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                   Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                   Goal 2                                        Statutory Authority
                   PARTNERSHIP                     The Congress finds and declares that it is the national
                                                   policy ... to encourage the participation and coopera-
                   Mobilize federal,               tion of the public, state and local governments, and
                                                   interstate and other regional agencies, as well as of
                   state and community             the Federal agencies having programs affecting the
                   resources to mutu-              coastal zone, in carrying out the purposes of this title;
                   ally define and                 (and) to encourage the coordination and cooperation
                   achieve coastal pro-            with and among the appropriate Federal, State, and
                   tection and manage-             local agencies and international organizations ... in
                   ment goals and                  collection, analysis, synthesis, and dissemination of
                   objectives.                     coastal management information, research results,
                                                   and technical assistance to support State and Federal
                                                   regulation of land use practices affecting the coastal
                                                   and ocean resources of the United States. (CZMA
                                                   Section 303(4) and (5))


                                                 Interdependence at the ecological level must be paral-
                                                 leled by governmental systems if we are to address
                                                 ecosystem protection and management issues compre-
                                                 hensively. The partnerships between the federal and
                                                 state government@ are the cornerstones and founding
                                                 principles of the NERRS under the CZMA.

                                                 To be successful, reserves must exist as partnerships -
                                                 with the academic, research, and education communi-
A                                                ties; with resource users and private resource protection
                                                 advocates; with nearby towns and cities; with other
                                                 state and regional agencies; and with their federal
                                                 partners.

                                                       Maintain a strong state component of the
                                                       NERRS partnership

                                                              Provide funding, on-site state staff and
                                                              other resources necessary to implement
                                                              the management plan including site
                                                              management, stewardship, operations,
                                                              education, monitoring, and research
                                                              functions.



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                            Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                                                                             Ensure reserves'plans, activities, and
                   Selected NERRS Partners                                   programs will be integrated with those of
                                                                             state coastal zone management and other
                   In addition to a broad                                    relevant state agencies.
                     network of local govern-
                     ments, school districts,                                States with reserves will plan jointly
                     universities, state coastal,                            through the National Estuarine Research
                     natural resource, parks                                 Reserve Association (NERRA) to ad-
                     and recreation, planning,                               dress specific program operational
                     fish and game, environ                                  issues.
                     mental, historic, and
                     education agencies,
                     reserves are involved on a
                     day-to-day basis with a
                     broad range ofpublic and
                     private partnerships
                     including:

                   American Littoral Society
                   Atlantic Coast Conservation.
                     Association
                   Audubon Society
                   Chesapeake Corporation
                   Coastal Ocean Program
                   Coastal States Organization
                   Coast Guard Auxiliary
                   Daedalus
                   Ducks Unlimited
                   Elkhorn Slough Foundation
                   Estuarine Research Federa-                       Partners in Education: Chesapeake Bay
                     tion                                           NERR (MD), state, and county
                   Falmouth Garden Club
                   Federal Highway Adminis-
                     tration                                        Maintain a strong NOAA federal component
                   Fish & Wildlife Foundation                       of the NERRS partnership
                   Global Change Program
                   Great Bay Trust                                           Define the program roles of NOAA's
                   The Greenway Conservancy
                   Gulf of Maine Aquarium                                    federal partnership office, OCRM and its
                   Gulf of Maine Council                                     component divisions and staff.
                   Gulf of Mexico Program
                   Hudson River Foundation                                   Define and, when appropriate, standard-
                   Izaak Walton League                                       ize federal program policies and goals,
                               (cont.)




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                        Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                                                                            Ensure that sufficiently-trained federal
                        MORE PARTNERS                                       staff are assigned to address national
                        Laudholm Trust                                      program and reserve support functions.
                        Marine Advisory Service,                            Advocate reserve interests in the resolu-
                          NOAA
                        Monterey Bay Aquarium                               tion of interagency disputes.
                        National Aeronautics and
                          Space Administration                              Support reserves in resource protection
                        National Estuary Program,                           disputes.
                          EPA
                        National Marine Fisheries                           Pursue partnerships for the NERRS with
                          Service, NOAA                                     other NOAA programs.
                        National Marine Sanctuary
                          Program, NOAA                                     Oversee the grant awarding process.
                        National Science Founda-
                          tion
                        National Wildlife Federa-
                          tion                                      Maintain strong NOAA-state activities at the
                        The Nature Conservancy                      reserve and national program levels
                        Pro Estero
                        PROBEA                                              Continue the NOAA-state dialogue to
                        Prudence Conservancy                                achieve the long-term vision of the
                        Save the Bay                                        program through the development and
                        Sea Grant                                           implementation of strategic and opera-
                        Sierra Club                                         tional plans.
                        Tacoma Hunting and
                          Fishing Club                                      Identify site and national program
                        Trout Unlimited
                        US Air Force                                        resources available for potential redirec-
                                                                            tion.
                        US Bureau ofIndian Affairs
                        US Bureau of Land Man-
                          agement                                           Establish and use appropriate NOAA-
                        US Coast Guard                                      state consultation groups.
                        US Department of Energy
                        US Environmental Protec-                            Jointly target specific activities and
                          tion Agency                                       agencies for cooperative action in re-
                        US Fish and Wildlife                                source management, research, and
                          Service
                                                                            education.
                        US Forest Service
                        US Geological Survey                                Jointly sponsor thematic conferences and
                        US Navy                                             make presentations at conferences of
                        US Soil Conservation
                          Service                                           other organizations.



                                                                 15









                           Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System



                   Volunteers


                   NERRS operations rely on
                   significant volunteer
                   support. The most recent
                   survey (1992) showed
                   nearly 700 volunteers
                   formally participating.

                    Reserve            Number
                    ACE Basin               12+
                    Apalachicola              5+
                    Chesapeake              30+
                      Bay - MD
                    Chesapeake              10+
                      Bay - VA
                    Delaware                  0
                    Elkhorn Slough         100+
                    Great Bay              100+
                    Hudson River            10+
                    Jobos Bay               20
                    Narragansett Bay        10
                    North Carolina            5+                    Volunteers Assist with Coastal Cleanup,
                    North Inlet -             0                     Wells NERR
                       Winyah Bay
                    Old Woman Creek         30+
                    Padilla Bay               5+                   Maintain strong partnerships with our volun-
                    Rookery Bay             20                     teer community
                    Sapelo Island             0
                    South Slough            30+                             Reinforce existing reserve-specific and
                    Tijuana River           20+                             NERRS-specific partnerships.
                    Waimanu                   0
                    Waquoit Bay            100                              Establish linkages    Iwith other volunteer
                    Weeks Bay               38                              efforts (e.g., Adopt-a-Beach).
                    Wells                  150+

                   This valuable service is                                 Foster positive public visibility by
                   supplemented by countless                                publicizing the effectiveness of volun-
                   hundreds of others volun-                                teer programs.
                   teering on an intermittent
                   basis.                                                   Provide a national volunteer coordinator
                                                                            function within OCRM.






                                                                           16









                            Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                            National Ocean Service                           Maintain Strong Partnerships with the
                                                                             Public and Private Sectors
                            (NOS) Partnership Grants

                                                                                      Take federal and state action to form
                            In 1994, NOAA's NOS
                            initiated a program tofoster                              partnerships targeting specific priority
                            partnerships between NOAA       J                         agencies and organizations at the state
                            and other organizations.                                  and national levels.
                            Tijuana River NERR, one of
                            the initial participants, is                              Clarify relationships among individual
                            developing a Geographic
                                                                                      reserves, state coastal zone management
                            Information System (GIS)
                                                                                      agencies, other state agencies, national
                            that will be based on
                                                                                      marine sanctuaries, and other federal
                            ecological, rather than
                            i.nternational, borders. A                                programs.
                            binational team, of educa-
                                                                                      Take action to strengthen or forin part-
                            tors, managers, planners,
                            and sociologists will guide                               nerships with federal, state, and local
                            the development of the GIS                                agencies, private institutions, academic
                          ,:to provide relevant informa-                              institutions, advocacy and conservation
                                that will meet the                                    organizations, and the private sector.
                            planning and management
                            needs of all affected com-                                Design a national campaign aimed at
                            munities. The GIS will be
                                                                                      private corporate philanthropy; obtain
                            developed by researchers at
                                                                                      "lead gift" to inaugurate it.
                            San Diego State University
                            and El Colegio de la
                            Frontera. Other partners
                            include California Sea
                            Grant, the Planning Depart-
                            mentfor the County of
                            Tijuana, San Diego Associa-
                            tion of Governments,
                            County of San Diego,
                            Centro de Investigacion
                          1 Cientifica y de Educacion,
                            la Universidad de Baja
                            California, Instituto de
                            Culturas Nativas de Baja
                            California, and the Interna-
                            tional Boundary Water
                            Commission.

                          I------------- ---- ---









                                                                          17










                Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System


                                                 - --------- -
           Goal 3
           INFORMED                              Statutory AuthodU
           COASTAL MAN-
                                   The Congress finds and declares that it is the national policy
           AGEMENTAND              ... to encourage coordination and cooperation with and
           STEWARDSHIP             among the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies
                                   and international organizations ... in collection, analysis,
           Operate the NERRS     i synthesis, and dissemination of coastal management infor-
                                   mation, research results, and technical assistance to support
           as a national pro-
                                 I State and Federal regulation of land use practices affecting
           gram contributing to    the coastal and ocean resources of the United States. (CZMA
           informed, integrated    Section 303(5))
           management of the
           Nation Is coastal
           ecosystems.           The National Estuarine Research Reserve System's role
                                 in strengthening the protection and management of the
                                 Nation's coastal and estuarine resources will operate at
                                 four levels: national, regional, state, and local.

                                 National services will be provided by, or coordinated
                                 by, the NOAA headquarters office, with appropriate
                                 participation from the reserves.

                                      Serve as national, regional, and local centers
                                      of information, expertise, and training that
                                      support state, local, private, and other com-
                                      munity needs

                                            Develop the NERRS as a national
                                            network of regional testing grounds for
                                            applied coastal management techniques.

                                            Serve as points of contact and outreach
                                            for NOAA, state, and other relevant
                                            agencies and organizations.

                                            Provide opportunities to test new meth-
                                            ods of monitoring, research, education,
                                            and restoration management strategies.




                                           18









                          Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System



                          Species of Concern


                          Reserves provide habitatfor
                            a number offederally and
                            state endangered or
                            threatened species.
                            Among thefauna species
                            identified at reserves so
                            far are:

                          Atlantic Loggerhead Turtle
                          Green Sea Turtle
                          Hawksbill Sea Turtle
                                                                       A
                          Atlantic Ridley Turtle
                          Alabama Red-bellied Turtle
                          Gopher Tortoise
                          Finback Whale
                          West Indian Manatee
                          Shortnose Sturgeon
                          American Alligator                                   Reserves Protect Threatened and
                          Indigo Snake                                         Endangered Species such as this
                          Black Pine Snake                                     Light-footed Clapper Rail
                          Florida Black Bear
                          Florida Panther                                          Develop a strategy for identifying the
                          Indiana Bat                                              needs of coastal decision-makers, par-
                          Gray Bat
                                                                                   ticularly state CZM programs, the
                          Southern Bald Eagle                                      NERRS statutory partner.
                          California Brown Pelican
                          Light-footed Clapper Rail
                          California Least Tern                                    Serve as a source of advice to NOAA
                          Least Bell's Vireo                                       and other governmental agencies about
                          Wood Stork                                               mitigation, damage assessment, and
                          Peregrine Falcon                                         restoration of coastal habitats under such
                          Bachman's Warbler                                        authorities as Superfund, the National
                          Belding's Savannah Spar-                                 Coastal Wetlands Protection, Restoration
                            row
                          Southeastern Snowy Plover                                and Management Act, etc.
                          Piping Plover                                            Serve as a regional source of information
                          Florida Sandhill Crane
                          Scrub Jay                                                for public or private entities to ensure
                          Southeastern Kestrel                                     that ongoing or proposed actions main-
                          Red-cockaded Woodpecker                                  tain long-term sustainability of those
                                                                                   resources.





                                                                       19









                           Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System




                                                                         Maintain an effective program of techni-
                  Watershed Planning                                     cal assistance, both reserve-specific and
                  Partnerships                                           nationally-coordinated, based on re-
                                                                         search to promote informed coastal
                  South Slough NERR staff                                management decisions.
                  have been active partici-
                  pants in the Coos Watershed    I                       Serve as a regional source of objective
                  Association, a council
                                                                         and integrated information on the role of
                  established to promote
                                                                         estuaries in marine ecosystems, the role
                  watershed planning and
                                                                         of governments in their protection and
                  enhancement. Members of
                                                                         management, and the need for individual
                  the watershed association      I
                  include representativesfirom                           responsibility and stewardship.
                  the Port of Coos Bay,
                                                                         Develop and implement a sustained
                  Oregon Department Of
                  Forestry, Bureau ofLand                                relationship between NIERRS and other
                  Management, as well as                                 coastal decision makers.
                  local citizens. The Associa-   i
                  tion provides a framework                              Fully integrate NERRS sites and exper-
                  to coordinate and promote
                  use ofproven management                                tise into the development and implemen-
                                                                         tation of environmental regulations at the
                  practices designed to                                  national, regional, state, and local levels.
                  support environmental
                  integrity and economic
                  stability throughout the                               Proactively address land use issues
                  Coos Watershed. The            I                       within reserve boundaries, or that could
                  Association is also imple-                             potentially affect reserve resources.
                  menting a series of
                  remediation projects
                  designed to restore in-
                  stream structure and winter

                                         sto
                  habitatfor dwindling      cks
                  of anadromousfish. Many
                  other watershed planning
                  partnerships exist within the
                  System.










                                                                        20









                       Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                       Goal 4                                               Statutory AuthorLty
                       SCIENTIFIC UN-                     The Secretary shall develop guidelines for the conduct
                       DERSTANDING                        of research within the System that shall include ... a
                       THROUGH RE-                        mechanism for identifying, and establishing priorities
                       SEARCH                             among, the management issues that should be ad-
                                                          dressed through coordinated research within the System
                                                          ... and (establish) common research principles to guide
                       Design and imple-                  development of research programs within the System.
                       ment a comprehen-                  (CZMA Section 315(c))
                       sive program of
                                                          The Secretary shall ... promote and coordinate the use
                       scientific research                of the System for research purposes including - re-
                       to address coastal                 quiring that the National Ocean and Atmospheric
                       management issues                  Administration, in conducting and supporting estuarine
                       and their fundamen-                research give priority consideration to research that
                       tal underlying pro-                uses the System; and consulting with other Federal and
                       cesses.                            State agencies to promote use of one or more reserves
                                                          within the System by such agencies when conducting
                                                          estuarine research. (CZMA Section 315(d))


                                                         The NERRS Strategic Plan for Research, Site Charac-
                                                         terization, and Monitoring (the Research Plan) repre-
                                                         sents a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to
                                                         scientific and technical aspects of coastal management
                                                         problems. This plan is derived heavily from two pivotal
                                                         NOAA documents:


                                                         First, the Research Plan reflects the major program-
                                                         matic initiatives described by the NOAA Strategic
                                                         Plan's Coastal Ecosystems Health component (1995-
                                                         2005) including activities to: (1) integrate operations for
                                                         coastal ecosystem management, (2) enhance ecosystem
                                                         assessment activities, (3) develop a national comprehen-
                                                         sive monitoring program, (4) increase scientific under-
                                                         standing, and (5) provide a strong information base for
                                                         infon-ned public policy decision making.

                                                         Second, the NERRS Research Plan also reflects guid-
                                                         ance from the draft NOAA/OCRM Strategic Plan (Goal
                                                         #5 - Research and Monitoring) to "develop an inte-



                                                             21









                         Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Re   search Reserve System

                                                     grated research and monitoring capability that identifies
                                                     and addresses management questions through the
                                                     utilization of National Marine Sanctuaries, National
                 Research Synthesis Docu-            Estuarine Research Reserves, and federal, state, aca-
                 ment                                demic, public and private partnerships."
                 A report developed by
                 Sanctuaries and Reserves
                 Division analyzed the first
                'decade of OCRM-funded
                 research in the Reserve
                 System. Among the findings:

                 Number of Projects Funded:

                             156


                 Diversity of Principle
                 Investigators:

                   Academic       213
                   Federal        10
                   State Agency   23
                                                                                   03
                   Other          12


                 Diversity of Participating
                 Institutions:


                   Academic       50
                   Federal         3
                   State Agency   10
                   Other           5                     Wetland Delineation in Chesapeake Bay NERR
                                                         in Virginia
                 Length of Project Funding:

                   Length    Proiects                RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
                   I year         129
                   2 years        21                 The research section of the Research Plan was devel-
                   3 years         5                 oped for the purpose of designing and implementing a
                   4 years         I
                                                     comprehensive program of long-term scientific inquiry
                 Note: Information on non-           to address both fundamental processes and significant
                 OCRMfunded research had             coastal management issues within estuaries and estua-
                 not been compiled at the            rine ecosystems.
                 time ofplan publication.


                                                                   22










                          Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System
                                                                          Promote opportunities for original applied
                          Research Activities                             research focused on the improvement of
                                                                          coastal zone management through specific
                          Researchers at NERRS sites                      technical problems
                          have undertaken studies
                         i concerning many significant
                                                                                   Develop, refine, and update the NERR
                          basic and applied research
                                                                                   system-wide research agenda to focus on
                          topics, including.-
                                                                                   the technical assessment and resolution
                             Point Source Pollution
                                                                                   of management problems within estuar-
                             Nonpoint Source                                       ies and coastal ecosystems.
                               Pollution
                             Hydrodynamic Modeling       1
                                                                                   Facilitate cooperation and communica-
                             Habitat Mapping
                                                                                   tion between coastal resource managers
                             Floral and Faunal
                                                                                   and academic researchers (connect
                               Inventories
                                                                                   specific questions to general principles).
                             Land Erosion and
                               Accretion
                             Mangrove Restoration                         Promote opportunities for original basic
                             Salt Marsh Restoration                       research toward the advancement of a basic
                             Shore Protection                             understanding of estuarine processes.
                               Measures
                             Water Quality Monitoring                              Maintain financial and logistic support
                             Weather Monitoring
                                                                                   for scientific investigations through
                             Algal Blooms
                                                                                   continued operation of the OCRM/SRD
                             Population Dynamics
                                                                                   competitive research program.
                             Microbial Processes
                             Sea Level Rise
                                                                                   Seek matching fund contributions from
                             Exotic Species Control
                             Health of Commercially-                               other agencies and organizations to
                               Important Species                                   increase the base of support for competi-
                                                                                   tive research awards.
                             Wetland-River
                               Interactions
                             Sediment
                                                                                   Encourage other agencies to provide
                               Characterization
                                                                                   direct funds and support for research
                             Estuarine Productivity
                                                                                   conducted within NERRS, both through
                             Effects of Human
                                                                                   the competitive grants process and other
                               Disturbance
                                                                                   areas of collaboration'.
                             Bathymetric Mapping
                             Nutrient Cycling                                      Develop and maintain a long-term
                                 acts of Management
                             IMP
                                                                                   database on reserve habitats, resources,
                               Activities
                             Ecological Succession                                 and environmental trends that will
                             Economic Valuation                                    attract, enhance, and sustain future
                             Archaeological Surveys                                research projects.



                                                                        23










                            Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                                                                    Enhance the infrastructure of the Reserve
                   Research Partners                                System to ensure its long-term utility to agency
                                                                    scientists and outside investigators

                   Universities
                   Auburn University                                         Secure the SRD staff position of Research
                   Boston University                                         Coordinator with responsibilities to pro-
                   California State University                               mote research opportunities and facilitate
                   Case Western Reserve U.                                   on-site scientific investigations.
                   Duke University
                   Florida State University                                  Develop a program for on-site funding of
                   Heidelberg College                                        graduate-level scholarships or fellowships
                   Kent State University                                     to support estuarine research at the national
                   Louisiana State U.                                        level that is linked to use of the reserves.
                   North Carolina State U.
                   Ohio State University                                     Ensure that all reserves have on-site access
                   Portland State University                                 to necessary field equipment, adequate
                   Rutgers University
                   San Diego State U.                                        laboratory facilities, and suitable overnight
                   Smith College                                             accommodations.
                   Stanford University
                   University ofAlabama                             Investigate and develop new administrative and
                   University of California at                      analytical approaches to integrate appropriate
                     Santa Cruz                                     technical information into the coastal resource
                   Univeristy of Florida                            management decision-making process
                   University of Georgia
                   University of Maine                                       Institute a procedure to communicate the
                   University of Maryland                                    results and implications of scientific inves-
                   University of Massachusetts                               tigations to the on-site manager and educa-
                   University of Michigan
                   University of New Hamp-                                   tion coordinator.
                     shire
                   University of North Caro-                                 Facilitate the transmission of results in a
                     lina                                                    usable form to coastal managers.
                   University of Oregon
                   University of Puerto Rico                                 Promote dissemination of research findings
                   University of Rhode Island                                through traditional means of scientific
                   University of Washington                                  communication (abstracts, seminars,
                   Virginia Institute of Marine                              technical reports and publications).
                     Science
                   Woods Hole Oceanographic
                     Institution                                             Periodically synthesize the results of
                   Yale University                                           independent research investigations carried
                                                                             out on related topics at reserve-specific and
                                                                             national levels.




                                                                           24










                          Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                                                                                SITE INVENTORY AND
                          Additional Research
                            Partners                                 CHARACTERIZATION OBJECTIVES


                          State Agencies                          The environmental characterization section of the
                          Florida Dept. of Environ-               Research Plan seeks to enhance research efforts by
                            mental Protection                     developing inventory information and synthesizing
                          Maine Dept. of Conserva-                baseline data concerning estuarine resources and habi-
                            tion                                  tats administered by the System.
                          Maryland Dept. of Natural
                            Resources
                          New Hampshire Fish and                           Develop site characterizations for all reserves
                            Game Department                                within the NERR System
                          New York State Dept. of
                            Environmental Conserva-                                Identify NERRS-wide information gaps
                            tion                                                   to be addressed by the Site Profiles.
                          North Carolina Dept. ofEn-
                            vironment, Health, and                                 Develop a NERRS-wide milestone
                            Natural Resources                                      schedule for the completion of Site
                          Ohio Dept. of Natural                                    Profiles for all sites.
                            Resources
                          Oregon Dept. of Fish and                                 Secure an adequate funding base to
                            Wildlife
                          Oregon Div. of State Lands                               support writing, publication, and distri-
                          Puerto Rico Dept. of Natu-                               bution of completed Site Profiles to
                            ral and Environmental                                  agency researchers, academic investiga-
                            Resources                                              tors, and coastal zone managers.
                          Rhode Island Dept. of
                            Environmental Mgmt.
                          Washington State Depart-                                     MONITORING
                            ment of Ecology

                          Other Institutions                      The monitoring section of the Research Plan seeks to
                          Centerfor Energy and                    define criteria necessary to maintain long-term site
                            Environmental Research                integrity by establishing a national monitoring program
                          Elkhorn Slough Foundation               with standardized sampling parameters. The monitoring
                          Hudsonia Limited                        program will be augmented by monitoring local vari-
                          Inst. of Ecosystem Studies              ables to measure effectiveness in maintaining site
                          Institute of Tropical Forestry          integrity and link into/support/participate in national/
                          Marine Environmental                    regional network.
                            Sciences Consortium
                          Norwalk City Schools                             Develop, fund, and operate a comprehensive
                          Pacific Fisheries Enhance-                       System-wide environmental monitoring
                            ment Corporation
                          Smithsonian Institution                          program designed to describe, track, and



                                                                        25









                             Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System
                                                                      predict long-term changes in the status, integ-
                                                                      rity, and biodiversity of estuarine ecosystems
                    1 Environmental Site
                                                                      and coastal watersheds
                    Profiles

                      As part of the NERRS                            Assessment and monitoring of estuarine and
                    Research Program, indi-                           coastal biodiversity
                    vidual reserves are expected
                    to develop a comprehensive
                                                                              Develop a three-phased monitoring
                    I site profile. Development Of                            program that incorporates information of
                    this document involves                                    direct relevance w the sites, the region,
                    compilation and synthesis o
                                                                              and the national system:
                    contemporary and historical
                    research.                                                          Phase I will constitute a compre-
                      The profiles describe the                               hensive Water Quality Monitoring Pro-
                    biology, geomorphology,
                    and hydrology of the reserve                              gram, in which basic environmental
                    and surrounding areas.                                    parameters are measured consistently
                    These documents provide                                   across the NERRS, and are compiled,
                    researchers, students,                                    synthesized, summarized, and dissemi-
                    managers, and the public        i                         nated by a Centralized Data Management
                    with a detailed summary of                                Office operated by a reserve site;
                    what is known about a site,
                    along with a discussion Of
                                                                                       Phase 11 will constitute a broad-
                    issues ofparticular concern.                              based Biodiversity Monitoring Program
                      Site profiles have been
                    completedfor two reserves -                               in which sites will design ecological
                    Tijuana River, CA NERR                                    surveys to assess the status and trends of
                    and the Great Bay, NH                                     locally, regionally, and nationally impor-
                    NERR, with several more in                                tant critical habitats, species, and func-
                    i progress.                                               tions;

                                                                                       Phase III will constitute a long-
                                                                              term Land Use Change Analysis in which
                                                                              sites will assess patterns of change in
                                                                              human uses of surrounding watersheds,
                                                                              and relate those activities to environmen-
                                                                              tal processes of immediate management
                                                                              concern (e.g., nonpoint pollution, habitat
                                                                              loss, introduced exotic species, etc.).


                                                                              Collect on-site baseline data to establish
                                                                              monitoring parameters and establish a
                                                                              standardized system to record and archive
                                                                              database information.



                                                                             26









                           Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System
                                                                                    Promote research within reserves through
                           Program Development                                      accumulation of valuable baseline data:
                           Grants
                           Several NERRS sites have                                         Develop a national program for
                           traditionally experienced                                        monitoring selected parameters to
                           difficulty in obtaining                                          compile a long-term database
                           competitive researchfunds.                                       directed towards assessing changes
                           Contributing factors include                                     in estuaries;
                           a lack of (1) basic research
                           infrastructure or equipment;                                     Develop a database management
                           (2) baseline site character-                                     program to provide information for
                           izations and monitoring                                          researchers.
                           data; and/or (3) preliminary
                           project-specific data toform                             Develop a System-wide program for
                           testable hypotheses. In                                  monitoring protocol and data quality
                           order to correct this situa-
                                                                                    assuirance/quality control.
                           tion andfoster a strong
                           system-wide research                                     Implement, test, and refine estuarine
                           program, SRD has initiated                               habitat assessment protocols to improve
                           a program of grants to
                         ,,address the above deficien-                              monitoring capabilities within estuarine
                           ciesfor individual sites.                                ecosystems.
                           Priority consideration is
                           given to sites not receiving                             Achieve Long-Term Ecological Research
                           competitive research grants                              (LTER or equivalent) site status for repre-
                           during the previous two                                  sentative NERR sites within coastal biore-
                           year period. The program
                                                                                    gions.
                           was initiated in FY93 with
                           widespread supportfrom                                   Integrate results from on-site monitoring,
                           NERRS Research Coordina-
                                                                                    aerial photography, satellite imagery, and
                           tors and has resulted in
                           grants to Weeks Bay NERR,                                relevant research data within the context of
                           Wells NERR, South Stough                                 a Geographic Information System (GIS).
                           NERR, and Jobos Bay
                           NERR in its initial two                                  Integrate NERRS monitoring efforts with
                           years.                                                   other programs (e.g., Status and Trends,
                                                                                    EMAP, National Coastal Monitoring Act)
                                                                                    and support other program application
                                                                                    requirements (e.g., Coastal Nonpoint
                                                                                    Source Pollution Control).

                                                                                    Provide opportunities for volunteers to
                                                                                    participate in activities associated with the
                                                                                    NERRS monitoring program.


                                                                       27









                        Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                Goal 5                                                    StatutoryAutho
                EDUCATION                            The Secretary may designate an estuarine area as a na-
                                                     tional estuarine reserve if -... the Secretaryfinds that ...
                Design and imple-                    designation of the area as a reserve will serve to enhance
                ment a comprehen-                    public awareness and understanding of estuarine areas,
                sive program of                      andprovide suitable opportunities for public education and
                education and inter-                 interpretation. (CZMA Section 315(b)(2)(Q)
                pretation based on                 Education, training, and outreach activities are con-
                solid scientific prin-             ducted at the national, regional, state, and local level.
                ciples to strengthen               These include a broad spectrum of activities ranging
                the understanding,                 from training state and local permit administrators who
                appreciation, and                  must apply stewardship principles in daily work prac-
                stewardship of estu-               tice, to assisting teachers in meeting state continuing
                aries, coastal habi-               education requirements while bringing knowledge of
                tats, and associated               estuaries into the classroom, to providing information
                                                   and assistance to the general public on issues of indi-
                watersheds.                        vidual and local importance.

                                                   The national office coordinates with other federal
                                                   agencies, national education, scientific and environmen-
                                                   tal organizations, and interest groups. Each reserve is an
                                                   active member of the local and regional education
                                                   community and a representative of the state and NOAA
                                                   stewardship community.

                                                           Develop education programs that will further
                                                           the goals of the System

                                                                   Provide on-site and outreach educational
                                                                   experiences.

                                                                   Educate about estuaries holistically to
                                                                   include ecological, cultural, historical,
                                                                   sociological, aesthetic, and economic
                                                                   perspectives.

                                                                   Promote a sense of stewardship and
                                                                   individual responsibility.




                                                                 28









                         Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                         Education and Outreach                                  Address local, regional, state, and
                         Programs                                                national coastal issues.

                         Education and outreach
                         programs in the reserves                                Approach estuarine education through a
                         have taken a number of                                  perspective that includes watersheds,
                         forms over the years,                                   bioregions, and biogeographic regions.
                         including:
                                                                                 Increase understanding and appreciation
                             Teacher Training Work-                              of the National Estuarine Research
                               shops                                             Reserve System.
                             Oil Spill Contingency
                               Training                                 Target a culturally diverse audience of educa-
                             Interpretive Trails                        tors and students, environmental profession-
                             Coastal Resource
                                                                        als, coastal resource decision-makers, and
                               Management Work-
                                                                        resource users
                               shops
                             Technical Assistance to
                               Coastal Managers                         Function as a "system of sites" to nationally
                             Visitors Centers                           coordinate estuarine education efforts
                             School Field Trips
                             Brochures                                           Coordinate education programs among
                             Posters                                             reserve sites and between the sites and
                             Wildlife Guides                                     NOAA/SRD.
                             Nature Walks
                             Guided Canoe Trips                                  Promote partnerships, leverage funds
                             Youth Summer Programs                               and resources, and coordinate with
                             Curricula Development
                                                                                 federal, state, and local agencies and
                               for Schools
                                                                                 organizations.
                             Bilingual Materials
                             Mentor Programs
                             AudiolVisual Programs                      Develop NERRS as resource centers special-
                             Traveling Exhibits                         izing in estuarine and watershed education
                             University Courses
                             Adult Education Courses                             Develop and adopt standards to be
                             Conferences-                                        pursued system-wide, taking into ac-
                             Dissemination of Re-                                count the diversity of differences of each
                               search Results                                    reserve site.
                             Guest Lectures
                             Coastal Cleanups                                    Promote the NERRS as settings to
                             Estuary Day activities
                                                                                 engage people in learning about estuar-
                             Earth Day activities                                ies.



                                                                      29









                          Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                                                                        Ensure that education programs incorpo-
                  Coastal Resource                                      rate innovative and appropriate technolo-
                  Management Workshops                                  gies and education practices.

                  Coastal Resource Manage-                              Secure resources for effective and
                  ment Workshops are a series.,                         efficient programs.
                  of one-day technical train-
                  ing workshops that are
                  offered to environmental
                  professionals involved in
                  planning, regulation, and
                  management. Rookery Bay
                  NERR initiated the program
                  and has been conducting
                  these workshops bimonthly                                            Ire
                                                                                     -0
                  since 1989. Topicsfor
                  workshops have included
                  stormwater management,
                  exotic plant control, mitiga-
                  tion banking, and watershed
                  restoration. In 1993, the
                  Florida Coastal Manage-
                  ment Program provided
                  assistance to expand the
                  workshops statewide. Due
                  to the success of these                   Reserves Develop Education Programs for All
                  workshops, thisprogram is                  Audiences
                  now being expanded
                  System-wide in partnership                    Capitalize on NERRS' ability to directly link
                  with state Coastal Zone
                  Management Programs.                          education, research, stewardship, resource
                                                                management, and restoration

                                                                        Facilitate an understanding of the scien-
                                                                        tific process and research results.

                                                                        Provide infori-nation and expertise to
                                                                        decision-makers for wise use of coastal

                                                                        resources.


                                                                        Use education as a proactive tool of
                                                                        resource protection and stewardship.




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                          Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                                                                                 Ensure education programs are compat-
                                                                                 ible with resource management.
                          System-Wide Education
                          Grants                                                 Use historical infon-nation on cultural
                                                                                 resources and coastal archaeology to
                          The System offers grants for                           illustrate the traditional uses of coastal-
                          both education projects
                                                                                 habitats.
                          targetedfor specific re-
                          serves andfor education
                          projects that benefit the
                                                                         Ensure education priorities are based on
                          system as a whole. One such
                                                                         program evaluation results
                          1 system-wide program
                          involves a cooperative effort
                                                                                 Continually assess and evaluate educa-
                          with the National Geo-
                          graphic Society. In this                               tional programs and products and imple-
                          project, coordinated by the                            ment changes where needed.
                          Great Bay NERR in New
                          Hampshire and involving 15                             Continually assess changes in the operat-
                          reserves, NERRS sponsors      1
                                                                                 ing environment (resources, audiences,
                          75 schools across the
                                                                                 technologies, and threats on national and
                          country to participate in the
                                                                                 local levels) and respond to these
                          Kids Network 'What's in
                          Our Water?" Program.                                   changes as needed.
                          Through KidsNet, fourth-,
                          !fifth-, and sixth-graders                             Coordinate the development of a system-
                                                                                 w
                          learn about pollution                                    ide evaluation program.
                          sources, sample their local
                          drinking water, exchange                       Encourage NERR education coordinators to
                          information and observa-                       be active participants in the education com-
                          tions, andformulate and                        munity
                          test hypotheses with other
                          i schools using an on-line
                          system designed by National                            Promote professional development for
                          Geographic. The program                                education coordinators.
                          allows students to explore
                                                                                 Encourage participation in local, re-
                          their estuarine environment
                          through hands-on research                              gional, state, and national associations.
                          and peer interaction while
                          i teaching telecommunica-
                          tions skills.









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        Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

                                                Appendices


















                                                              32









         Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System


                                        Appendi A

                                     Glossary of Acronyms

                  CZM       coastal zone management
                  CZMA      Coastal Zone Management Act
                  NERR      National Estuarine Research Reserve (one site)
                  NERRA     National Estuarine Research Reserve Association
                  NERRS     National Estuarine Research Reserve System
                  NMFS      National Marine Fisheries Service
                  NMSP      National Marine Sanctuary Program
                  NOS       National Ocean Service
                  NOAA      National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
                  OCRM      Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
                  SRD       Sanctuaries and Reserves Division of OCRM





































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                Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System



                                                            Appendix B


                                              NERRS Review Panel Recommendations


                              1.     NOAA should initiate a focused effort to better articulate and imple-
                                     ment a coherent and comprehensive national dimension for the
                                     NERRS program

                              2.     NOAA should put in place a process to develop a nationally coordi-
                                     nated research agenda of management-related research needs

                              3.     NOAA should design and adopt a "strategic planning process" for
                                     the NERRS program

                              4.     NOAA should seek to significantly expand the funding available for
                                     management-related research within NERRS

                              5.     NOAA, via NERRS, should provide leadership in creating a national
                                     estuarine coordinating capability within the federal government

                              6.     NOAA should strive to develop the NERR System to be fully
                                     representative of all the important estuarine types found in the U.S.

                              7.     The NERRS Education Program must be elevated to a more promi-
                                     nent position in the planning and operations of the System

                              8.     NOAA should make a concerted effort within the Administration
                                     and with Congress to secure substantially increased funding for
                                     NERRS


                              9.     NOAA should strive to further strengthen the partnership that exists
                                     with the states and with NERRA


                              10.    NOAA should form a NERRS Program Office, possibly in closer
                                     organizational proximity to the CZM Program







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             Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System


                                                         Appendix B (cont.)

                            11.    NOAA should embrace the nonprofit organizations that exist in support of
                                   NERRS and solicit their thoughts on ways to strengthen such groups

                            12.    The NERRS Program staff should become acquainted with international
                                   programs having similar objectives

                            13.    NOAA should reexamine its policies concerning multiple component
                                   reserves so as to ensure that each reserve has some central location and
                                   identity





                     Review Panel on the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. The National Estuarine
                     Research Reserve System: Building a Valuable National Asset. A Report to the National Oceanic
                     7nd Atmospheric Administration


                     Panel Members:
                        Dr. Franz E. Anderson, University of New Hampshire
                        Mr. William Eichbaum, World Wildlife Fund
                        Dr. Rosanne Fortner, Ohio State University
                        Mr. John Humke, The Nature Conservancy
                        Professor Robert Knecht, University of Delaware
                        Mr. Mort Mather, Laudholm Trust
                        Mr. Allen Putney, U.S. Office of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and
                        Natural Resources
                        Mr. David Slade, Coastal States Organization

                        Research Associate: Mr. Marc Suddleson, University of Delaware















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                   Strategic Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System


                                                                     Appendix C


                                                                     Photo Credits


                                   p. 3    Courtesy of North Carolina Coastal Management Program
                                   p. 4    Courtesy of Maine Coastal Zone Management Program
                                   p. 6    Courtesy of Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program
                                   p. 14   Courtesy of Maryland Department of Natural Resources
                                   p. 16   Courtesy of Wells NERR
                                   p. 19   Courtesy of Tijuana River NERR
                                   p. 22   Courtesy of Chesapeake Bay NERR (VA)
                                   p. 30   Courtesy of Apalachicola NERR


































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