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QH 541.5 E8 E8 1986 19917535 MAR 27 1997 ESTUARIES COASTAL ZONE INFORMATION CENTER The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Estuarine Capabilities U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA COASTAL SERVICES CENTER 2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE CHARLESTON, SC 23405-2413 Property of CSC LIbrary U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and atmospheric Administration QH 541.5 .E8 E8 1986 ...... ---- ESTUARIES E STUARIES, the most productive of our Nation's coastal environments, are those parts of fresh- water rivers or streams that connect with the open sea, where the salt water is diluted with freshwater. Enriched by nutrients from the land, mixed by tides from the seas, and saturated by sunlight, these dynamic environments support a varied ecosytem. The estuarine brew feeds a chain of life Estuaries from protozoa, plankton, small fish, shrimp, oysters, and re the most a larger fish, to the fish-eating mammals, including man. J productive of In addition to being important sources of nutrients for z our Nation's fisheries, estuaries provide spawning and nursery grounds for most species of sport and commercial fish. Furthermore, coastal en estuaries provide essential breeding grounds and habitat Vironments. for waterfowl and other wildlife-including a large number of endangered species. Estuarine vegetation also helps pro- tect adjacent waters from upland sediments and water- 4;6" borne pollutants, by holding, filtering, or eventually break- ing down this material before it silts into the open water. NOAA's estuarine programs are best described in terms Marsh-like vegetation mitigates the erosion of upland areas of its responsibilities in information /assessment, research, caused by flood waters, reducing the impact of storm tides and management. First, NOAA's information and assess- and wave surges before they reach the land. ment programs describe the physical characteristics of estua- rine environments using a vast collection of archived and These sheltered bays, inlets, and sounds provide water- real-time data. This information is used to monitor and ways for commerce and pleasure craft, and attract residents" predict changes in environmental quality. It is also used to to their picturesque shores. In fact, it is projected that develop estuarine assessments, which provide the basis for by 1990, 75 percent of the U.S. population will live within analysis of the status, trends, and health of the estuaries on 50 miles of the coast. an individual, regional, or national basis. Because the beneficial characteristics of estuaries encour- Second to improve our understanding of estuarine environ- age so many different uses, many of which exclude other ments and predict the effects of human activities on their uses, and because these uses have increased with human ecosystems, NOAA conducts and supports research on coastal populations, there is a significant decline in the estuarine processes. NOAA also conducts research on quality of estuarine waters and their resources. It is crucial fishery resources and their habitats. These programs are that these vulnerable, productive coastal ecosystems be designed to answer questions such as: How are contaminants managed wisely, dispersed in the ecosystem? What are the effects of water- borne contaminants on fisheries? The results of NOAA's research serve to promote a comparative understanding HE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- among estuarine ecosystems but, more importantly, en- ministration (NOAA), in the U.S. Department of Com- ables us to identify solutions to problems common to many Tmerce, is the Nation's lead marine science agency. of our estuaries. As such, NOAA is charged with providing information, Finally, with this scientific and technical support, NOAA research, and management services for the Nation's ocean, encourages wise management of estuarine resources. Coastal coastal, and estuarine resources. With 25 coastal and marine resource management laws provide NOAA with the oppor- research facilities, 17 National Estuarine Research Reserves, tunity to design, with the States, approaches to strike a and direct ties to 29 universities and colleges through its balance among the various and often conflicting coastal National Sea Grant College Program, NOAA is uniquely uses. Through these laws, NOAA also emphasizes the devel- suited to address not only broad scale estuarine issues, but opment of new techniques and information systems that also specific issues affecting individual estuarine systems can be used by decision-makers at the State and local along the U.S. coastline and in the Great Lakes. level. 3 -41g, Pop, Mow "'moo "'7@Z@77- Aff, e W-71 - Ir7wl ,0--- - Ol 0. 11 oftk@ 4W` VIA&. 041 06 ESTUARINE ASSESSMENT A SSESSMENT entails describing an estuarine sys- Climatic Data tem, including the physical environment, water and sediment quality, as well as associated animals and NOAA houses all weather records, including data on drought, plants. NOAA's programs include collecting, archiving, and freezing, precipitation, relative humidity, sea surface tem- synthesizing environmental data. From this data, NOAA perature, snowfall, visibility, and wind. Coastal engineers develops assessments of the estuarine environment that routinely use the climatic data in the construction of jetties provide a sound scientific basis for resource managers to and breakwaters to improve their resistance to storms and make decisions. Furthermore, the review and synthesis of other adverse weather conditions. Other industries have data gathered in the assessment phase helps to identify unique construction requirements that also depend on the topics where additional research is needed to support man- availability of historic climate data. The oil and gas indus- agement decisions. try, for example, uses this data in the engineering of on-shore structures, pipelines, and offshore rigs. Data Archives Fisheries Statistics Data NOAA collects and archives extensive data files for ocean- NOAA collects data on the U.S. commercial fish and shell- ographic, geophysical, climatic, fisheries, and pollution data, fish landings and on recreational catches. Fisheries of the much of which are available to the public upon request. United States, an annual publication, provides information NOAA's archives include not only data collected from con- on landings by species, region, State, and port, and on ventional observations, but also retrospective satellite images employment in fishing and from 1960, and raw satellite data on surface temperature, related industries. Such data turbidity, and pigment concentrations. These measurements were crucial in documenting the recent,decline of East Coast can provide "snapshots" depicting selected characteris- striped bass and ultimately led to more stringent regional tics of an entire estuary, and are a valuable tool for mon- management measures for that species. itoring estuarine conditions. For example, using digital sat- ellite imagery, NOAA has developed a computer model that attempts to identify quantitative relationships between marshland and fisheries production in LOL;isiana. MW Oceanographic Data NOAA maintains the world's largest collection of unclassi- -.dj fled historical marine and environmental data on water tem- peratures and currents, winds and waves, pollution, and marine organisms. These data provide historical records of environmental conditions at particular times and locations, NOAA 7 although the amount and type of data vary among the estu- maintains the world aries. These data are being used to develop Coastal Infor- 98 mation Systems (CIS) for individual estuaries. A CIS organ- lar est col- izes and summarizes voluminous amounts of environmental Ali 9 data applicable to topics such as dumpsites or critical habitat lection of locations. The system allows citizens' groups, port authori- marine and IV ties, and State management agencies to easily manipulate environmen large amounts of information. Such systems have been tal data. developed for the Hudson/Raritan estuary and the Port of 4MW New Orleans. Another is being developed for the Chesapeake Bay. 5 Pollution Data The National Coastal Pollutant Discharge Inventory (NCPDQ is a NOAA data base that identifies pollutant discharges-both point and nonpoint source-into estuarine and coastal /Awn waters (except the Great Lakes). Data extend upstream to the head of estuaries and seaward to the boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone. The NCPDI estimates pollutant discharges from 1980 to 1985, for a variety of contaminants JA14 such as nutrients, heavy metals, and sludges. This informa- tion is being used to evaluate the relationship between pollutant discharges and their effects on environmental quality. Data and Information Services NOAA's library of environmental information can be accessed 'Ai via computer terminal connected to the national biblio- L Assessment graphical data bases and catalogues. NOAA also oper- entails ates the National Environmental Data Referral Service (NEDRES), a computer catalog of environmental informa- describing tion which has been used to organize data in the Chesapeake water Bay Program Computer Center. Accessible by computer quality terminal over commercial telephone lines, the NEDRES sys- tem allows the user to locate these environmental data sets AV parameters. rapidly. Data Synthesis One co-mponent.of the NEI is a report on the Status of Data synthesis entails gathering information from a variety Coastal Wetlands. This project summarizes the distribution of sources and standardizing it. NOAA's data synthesis of 15 types of wetland habitats by coastal county. Informa- activities include building data bases on physical, chemi- tion from the National Wetlands Inventory of the U.S. Fish cal, and biological factors, as well as on land-use patterns. and Wildlife Service is translated to wetlands maps by using Much of this information is currently being incorporated a grid sampling technique. The data can be organized by into a comprehensive data base, the National Estuarine estuarine drainage area or by county to produce summaries Inventory. of wetlands acres. Also integrated into the NEI is informa- tion from the National Shellfish Register, which classifies The National Estuarine Inventory (NEI) 20.6 million acres of shellfish waters according to their ability to support shellfish that are safe for human con- The NEI is the framework in NOAA's efforts to assess the sumption. In a recent effort to refine the shellfish data, health of the Nation's estuaries. The NEI identifies 92 estu- NOAA identified those areas which were classified as unsafe aries within the contiguous United States and compiles for reasons other than water quality. For example, in 1985, data on their important physical, hydrological, biological, Louisiana converted all its shellfish waters to conditionally and economic characteristics. Data are compiled by estua- approved for management reasons unrelated to water quality. rine drainage area. The National Estuarine Inventory Data Waters in Louisiana are now sampled monthly and are opened Atlas illustrates characteristics of the estuaries identified in or closed based on immediate conditions. The Living Marine the NEI. Additional projects are being incorporated into the Resources component of the NEI will include information on NEI framework. These studies are summarized below. the distribution and abundance of 150 fish and invertebrates in 6 those estuaries included in the NEI as well as additional estuaries of biological importance. Finally, the NEI will include information on the distribution and characteristics of public 4 marine recreational activities in the coastal areas of the United States. NOAA has analyzed public expenditures on outdoor recreation and conducted a survey on consumer spending and usage in selected public recreational areas. Environmental Studies NOAA prepares regional studies of major estuaries, such as the Chesapeake and San Francisco Bays, and Puget Sound, to assess the effects of weather and oceanographic condi- ,117A11 tions on three economic sectors: fisheries, recreation, and transportation. For example, synthesis of ice data for the Chesapeake Bay led to projections that icy conditions would prevent the watermen in Maryland from harvesting oysters NOAA research vessels ply the Nation's for an entire fishing season. In response to this information, the State of Maryland extended the oyster season to miti- coastal waters. gate the potential hardship. Environmental Description A number of NOAA's programs describe the status of estu- Finally, NOAA refines predictions of the harvestable stock arine systems, resources, or levels of contaminants, relying by analyzing the catch from selected commercial bait shrimp on observational and remotely sensed data collection. vessels. The data generated are used to predict trends in environ- Monitoring mental quality and abundance of living resources. NOAA's National Status and Trends Program (NS&T) moni- Nautical Charting tors levels of toxic chemicals in sediments, fish, and shell- For the maritime industry and the recreational boater, NOAA is fish. The program also measures the biological effects of the predominant source of navigational information on the environmental degradation. It is the only national program Nation's harbors and estuaries. NOAA produces charts for that collects information on contaminant levels throughout all navigable estuaries depicting boundary limits and other the Nation's coastal and estuarine environments using uni- restrictions. In addition, NOAA produces the nine-volume form procedures. The NS&T program has two major sam- set, U.S. Coast Pilots, which contains narrative navigational pling components: the National Benthic Surveillance Proj- information. ect and the Mussel Watch Project. For the Benthic Sur- veillance Project, sediments and bottomfish are sampled and Fisheries Stock Assessment analyzed for contaminants at 50 sites. Data collected in 1984, the first year of sampling for the Benthic Surveillance NOAA estimates the population sizes and distribution of Project, demonstrate that the Northeast and urban west fisheries that are dependent upon estuarine habitat during coast contain elevated levels of most of the contaminants portions of their life cycle. For example, accurate predic- measured. For the Mussel Watch Project, mussels (and tion of the harvest of Gulf brown shrimp, the Nation's top other suitable bivalves) and sediments are collected annu- value seafood, is very important to the seafood industry. To ally from 150 sites to measure contaminant loads. Annual meet this need, NOAA first monitors the influx of post larval sampling for this Project began in 1976. Data from the shrimp into Galveston Bay, then uses mark and recapture NS&T program will help identify priority areas for restora- techniques in the Bay's marshes to monitor these resources. tion and protection. 7 7k dr, 44 IF- If 1w 49 ESTUARINE RESEARCH im@mingill@ll MPROVING the knowledge of the physical and ecologi- NOAA is funding research at the New Bedford Harbor, Mas- cal dynamics that drive the estuarine system is a signifi- sachusetts Superfund site. cant thrust of NOAA's estuarine research program. Equally Ecosystem and Nutrient Dynamics important is research on fisheries and their habitats as well as documenting, the effects of contaminants on food chain Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems on organisms, the fish, and their subsequent consumption by Earth, due in part to the stimulation of biological growth by humans. nutrients. Much is still unknown, however, about how nutri- ent dynamics, primary production, and decomposition com- Physical Processes bine to create a constantly varying environment. To better The semi-enclosed nature of estuaries and the continuous understand these relationships, NOAA researchers are in- mixing of river and ocean water create unique circulation vestigating the dynamics of estuarine food webs and the patterns. These tides and currents, and the accompanying role of nutrients and physical conditions affecting pro- chemical and biological processes, are important in deter- ductivity. mining the fate of contaminants introduced into an estuary. Therefore, NOAA's research programs include studies on Plant Productivity circulation dynamics and contaminant transport. Microscopic plants are important components of the estuarine Circulation Dynamics and marine food chains. Understanding the processes NOAA is dramatically improving its ability to describe and governing their growth, including the effects of human activi- predict water levels and estuarine circulation. Using real- ties, is critical. Because plants require nutrients to grow, time data on currents, water levels, and winds, NOAA is NOAA is conducting studies of nutrient cycling and the incorporating this information into numerical circulation effects of excess nutrients on production. NOAA also is models. These models assist ships to navigate safely over a developing models to integrate the relationships among longer portion of the tidal cycle with greater cargo loads. nutrients, plants, and animals in both the water and the These models were used to produce NOAA's first tidal sediments. These evolving models will help predict potential circulation and water level forecast atlas and will be effects of changes in nutrient inputs. coupled with a water quality model for Long Island Sound. Eutrophication In another effort, NOAA-sponsored research is demonstrat- Excessive nutrients can lead to rapid growth of algae. ing that physical oceanographic factors during the summer months are critical in determining annual recruitment of Nuisance algae can clog waterways and create noxious the blue crab larvae into the Chesapeake Bay. odors. As algae die, oxygen levels may be reduced, harming finfish and shellfish. Excessive nutrients also reduce the Transport of Contaminants penetration of light into the water column, which can lead Contaminants in estuarine systems can be transported as to massive reduction of submerged aquatic vegetation, a materials bound to particles, as substances dissolved in critical fishery habitat. NOAA is exploring the causes and the water, or by disturbances in the bottom sediments. extent of low oxygen levels along the Atlantic and Gulf Better understanding of these transport mechanisms is coasts and is investigating the links between anoxia, nutrient necessary to determine the exposure of fishery resources inputs, meteorology, and physical conditions. Results of to contaminants. Several years of NOAA research on con- these studies will help managers regulate the volume of taminant transport in Puget Sound has revealed that this nutrients released into estuaries. estuary traps dissolved as well as particle-borne pollutants, Living Resources and that circulation plays a dominant role in this accumula- tion. In fact, research results indicate that over 90 percent To understand natural and human-induced factors affecting of lead and copper entering Puget Sound are retained in the the productivity of our estuarine fishery resources, NOAA sediments. Activities of bottom-dwelling invertebrates also investigates the life history and disease patterns of a number may affect the release of contaminants into the water. To of species. NOAA also conducts aquaculture research by examine the invertebrate's role in re-suspending and artificially creating environments that can support valuable transporting polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) laden sediments, living resources. 9 Life History Fisheries-Habitat Interactions NOAA provides information to fishermen and managers Estuarine habitats provide food and shelter for a variety of to help them predict the size of fishery populations. As economically important species. In the Southeast, for exam- part of this effort, NOAA is determining the requirements ple, NOAA estimates that as much as 90 percent of these that economically important fish need to survive during fishery resources depend on estuarine habitat during part various life stages. In the Everglades National Park, NOAA of their life cycle. However, matching the needs of individual research has revealed that larval gray snapper and spotted species with specific habitat types is difficult. This difficulty sea trout settle from the water column into seagrass beds stems not only from identifying the habitat requirements of and mangroves where they remain during early develop- adults, but also of juveniles and larvae. NOAA, therefore, is mental stages. The link between seagrasses and life history evaluating the importance of marshes and seagrass beds to will assist in habitat management. the growth and survival of fishery resources throughout Diseases their life cycle. Research results are used in deciding whether to grant permits for development projects which effect habi- NOAA is studying the health of our fisheries. After finding tats. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently relied on cancer and other diseases in finfish and shellfish from con- NOAA research to impose seasonal restrictions on dredge taminated estuarine regions, NOAA has increased its re- and fill permits in New Jersey estuaries that serve as critical search into the causes of these diseases and their effects habitat for winter flounder. on fisheries. Recent projects have demonstrated that blood sarcomas in soft clams of several Northeast estuaries have Habitat Alterations resulted in extensive population losses. In conjunction with Complementing its program in fisheries-habitat interactions, these efforts, NOAA is determining how disease limits the NOAA is assessing the effects of physical habitat losses marketability and economic value of fishery products and and alterations on fisheries. For example, research has is assisting government officials in identifying severity of begun to link changes in freshwater inflow in Pamlico Sound, the diseases. North Carolina, to shifts from economically important spe- Aquaculture cies (such as oysters) to less valuable species (such as As natural stocks of fish and shellfish decline, aquaculture catfish). In addition, NOAA is using life history data to develop of seafood species is becoming increasingly important for models to predict the cumulative effects of habitat altera- enhancing wild stocks. To assist the infant aquaculture tions. These models will show whether alterations can be industry, NOAA is developing technology to culture species detected within the natural variation of fishery populations. such as salmon, striped bass, and shrimp. These programs provide technology for rearing animals in ways that are Habitat Enhancement economically feasible and to find solutions to diseases that NOAA is developing techniques to restore damaged habi- can plague aquaculture projects. Recently, NOAA has taken tats and to generate high quality habitat. NOAA has developed the lead in developing aquaculture technology for estuarine population growth models for the four major seagrass spe- and Great Lakes species. NOAA's Sea Grant Aquaculture cies of North America based on data from over 85,000 Plan has provided guidance for future research programs transplants in different climate zones around the country. on topics such as genetics and breeding, nutrition, disease/ Studies in Beaufort, North Carolina, the Florida Keys, parasites, and economics. California National Estuarine Research Reserves at Elkhorn Estuarine Habitats Slough, Tijuana River, and San Francisco Bay have de- monstrated that damaged habitats can be restored in a Estuarine habitats, vital to commercial and recreational cost-effective manner. To meet requests for guidance from fisheries, are threatened by disposal of sewage and industrial State agencies and the public, NOAA has developed marsh wastes, dredging, filling, freshwater diversions, damming, and seagrass transplant handbooks. and channelization. Through its research programs, NOAA is determining the effects of habitat loss on fishery re- It may take years for grasses in restored habitats to catch sources and the potential benefits of habitat restoration, up with the level of growth of grasses in a natural habitat. enhancement, and mitigation. During this lag time, the restored habitat has a much smaller 10 effects that ocean discharges of industrial wastes have on copepods; a critical link in fisheries food chains. Results show that copepods exposed to these discharges experience a decline in reproductive capability. Future discharge limita- _rk@j tions, therefore, should incorporate criteria that protect not only the fish, but also their food sources. Contaminants in Fish Products The public health significance of contaminants in fish and shellfish must not be overlooked. To support this need, NOAA scientists are studying the NOAA is assessing the kinds and levels of contaminants in prevalence of diseases in fish from tissues of fishery products. Congress requested NOAA, for contaminated waters. example, to coordinate a study describing PCBs in bluefish along the East Coast. The two-year survey, conducted with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Own I No Drug Administration, yielded data that identified the health risks. Based on a preliminary examination of this data, FDA has concluded that the level of PCBs in commercially availa- capacity to sustain fishery resources. Even after growth has ble bluefish does not present a health concern for the pub- peaked in restored habitat, it is questionable whether this lic. Levels of pesticides measured in conjunction with the habitat can sustain the same level of productivity as natural analyses for PCBs were not significant enough to require habitat. NOAA, therefore, is comparing the ability of restored regulatory action. habitat to sustain fisheries with undamaged habitat. These Chemical Interactions studies will help managers assess the utility of mitigation procedures. Mercury is widely distributed in the marine environment. Trace amounts of methylmercury, a toxic form of the metal, Contaminant Effects can be found in edible tissues of fish. Based on consumer NOAA draws from a pool of research experts and facilities health concerns, FDA established guidelines for mercury to examine the biological effects of pollutants such as syn- concentrations. These guidelines, however, do not take into thetic organics (e.g. pesticides and PCBs), toxic metals, account the role that selenium, an essential trace element petroleum hydrocarbons, and excessive nutrients on living for humans and also found in seafood, can play in reducing resources. NOAA examines not only the effects of contami- the toxicity of methylmercury. NOAA is examining how methylmercury and selenium interact to decrease the nants on edible fish and shellfish, but also on food chain organisms. potential health risk to the consumer. The results of the research will assist FDA in evaluating its mercury guide- Living Resource Effects lines. NOAA is documenting the uptake by fish and shellfish of Contamination of Shellfish chemicals from contaminated sediments, water, and food. Virus contamination of shellfish has led to numerous cases NOAA is assessing how these pollutants affect behavior, of illness among consumers. Many of these viruses are survival, and reproduction of fish and shellfish. In one sewage-related, but their presence and spread are not project, NOAA scientists are exposing hard clams to clean easily monitored. NOAA research is developing new ways to and contaminated waters from Long Island Sound to examine extract and assay viruses from oysters and clams. In addi- the effects of various levels of contaminants on egg viability tion, NOAA scientists are examining pathogens in the estu- and production and sperm mortality. arine environment and monitoring the ability of selected Pollutants also effect food organisms that support many shellfish to purify themselves of pathogens. Knowledge of fish species. As part of NOAA's efforts to examine this the time required for shellfish to cleanse themselves before relationship, the Agency is funding a project to identify the they are consumed is critical for protecting human health. 11 44 Aia 4X- ESTUARINE MANAGEMENT M ANDATED to encourage wise management of our protect marine mammals and endangered or threatened estuarine resources, NOAA administers programs species. NOAA's regulations limit collection of such spe- for managing the Nation's marine fisheries, pro- cies to research and public display purposes. Even the tecting valuable marine and estuarine habitats, and balanc- number of animals caught incidental to fishing are restricted. ing coastal development and conservation activities. Addi- Estuarine species of principal concern are the short-nose tionally, NOAA provides expertise to Federal and State sturgeon, sea turtles, seals, and sea lions. agencies that have management responsibility in coastal areas. Habitat Resources Living Resources NOAA recommends modifications to proposed Federal proj- ects to ensure that their effects on living marine resources NOAA is mandated to manage the Nation's living marine and their habitats are minimized. NOAA also provides simi- resources. These mandates extend to both finfish and shellfish lar advice to the States. The Habitat Conservation Policy as well as to endangered species and marine mammals. provides a focus for NOAA's habitat conservation activities Through its fishery conservation and grant programs, NOAA and integrates these activities throughout the Agency. supports the management of estuarine living resources. Habitat Advisory Services Federal Fisheries Management To reduce damage to habitat, NOAA recommends innova- The Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act tive techniques or modifications in project design to Federally of 1976 is designed to assure that fishing harvests are kept constructed or regulated projects. NOAA is often asked to within sound biological and economic limits. The law author- bring this expertise to bear in court. In a 1985 court case, izes the Federal Government, in cooperation with fishermen NOAA testified that landfill from New York's proposed and other interested citizens, to manage most fishing within a conservation zone between 3 and 200 miles off our coasts. (The coastal States are responsible for resource manage- ment within 3 miles offshore.) Because a majority of species for which NOAA has management responsibility spend por- tions of their life cycle within estuaries, NOAA provides information and expertise to the States to assist them in their management programs. Interstate Fisheries Grants and Management Through the Commercial Fisheries Research and Develop- ment Act and the Anadromous Fisheries Conservation Act, NOAA provides grants to States, universities, and other s,,: organizations to characterize estuarine fisheries. These funds enables States to improve their fishery statistics programs A and thereby enhance their stock assessment capabilities. In addition, NOAA is a member on each of the Interstate Fishery Management Commissions assisting the States identify research priorities and estuarine species needing management measures. NOAA encourages wise management Protected Species Management of our estuarine resources. I . ............. The Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Pro- tection Act give NOAA the responsibility to conserve and 13 Westway Highway Project would severely affect striped bass in assisting (1) the States in managing anadromous fishery habi- the Hudson River. This testimony, based on 10 years of tats; (2) developers in pre-permit application planning; (3) NOAA studies, was instrumental in the court's decision to and the public in communicating habitat conservation infor- reject the project's Environmental Impact Statement for mation to constituents. Pre-application has accelerated insufficiently considering the effects on striped bass. In the the permit process by exposing potential habitat impacts Southwest, NOAA staff participated in the Trinity River Task early. NOAA staff also recommend modifications in the Force, which recommended a 10-year program to rehabili- project design that will reduce adverse impacts and there- tate fish and wildlife populations, including artificial pro- fore save the applicant time and money. Recently, the proc- duction of salmon, restoration of salmon spawning areas, ess enabled the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite a and appropriate fishery management measures. permit to the State of New Jersey for work in man-made lagoons, piers, and breakwaters by stipulating design details that minimized adverse environmental effects. Habitat Resource Planning NOAA's Habitat Conservation Policy encourages greater Coastal Resources participation by the Regional Fishery Management Coun- cils and State fishery agencies in habitat conservation. The The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) authorized the Policy contains a dozen implementation strategies that include first national program to promote the wise use and protec- A 4 7 Alterations i Ic of crit 'al wetlands 4 habitat is a focus of NOAA's hab- 7, @ "-4 itat advisory services 4, 44 14 National Estuarine Research Reserves In conjunction with the States, NOAA operates a National Estuarine Research Reserve System, which is a network of land and water areas that are managed as natural laborato- ries for scientists and the public. Each reserve has an on-site manager and many have laboratories, boats, or public educa- tion facilities. At Elkhorn Slough, for example, a visitor center was recently opened complete with an audio-visual area and educational displays. The Reserves System yields not only long-term, comparative data sets for a network of sites, but also protects vital habitats for estuarine- dependent and endangered species. To date, NOAA has We can pre_ designated 17 Estuarine Research Reserves nationwide, dict with representing distinct biogeographic regions and estuarine types. certainty that Pres- Public Outreach sure on the Communication is an integral component of NOAA. The estuaries National Sea Grant Program funds universities and institu- e will con- tions to develop products for the public that communicate tinue to rise. scientific, legal, and policy-related findings. In 1985, Sea Grant produced a film, "The Chesapeake Bay-A Twilight Estuary," to educate the public regarding the stresses on the Chesapeake system and the role that research played in identifying the stresses. Publications providing techni- cal advice to mariners and fishermen also are part of the tion of coastal land and water resources. This Act, admin- program. istered by NOAA, provides funds, policy guidance, and techni- Marine Advisory Service cal assistance to coastal States to help them establish and maintain coastal zone management programs and National Marine advisory programs assist all who use the water, Estuarine Research Reserves that meet Federal objectives. whether in fishing, marine recreation, or marine trades. The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service, Coastal Resources Programs for example, frequently assists the local commercial fishing Under the CZMA, NOAA makes grants to coastal States to communities with problems such as recovering damages implement programs to manage the coastal zone. Grants for nets snagged on unmarked submerged cables, and com- are available to preserve areas that contain significant coastal municating unwritten "rules of the road" to Vietnamese resources, redevelop deteriorating urban waterfronts, and fishermen in the area. provide access to public beaches. Coastal States can acquire critical estuarine wetlands and conduct estuarine research Estuarine Education through the grant program. States also are provided grants Under the National Sea Grant College Program, NOAA pro- to coordinate coastal planning for areas adjacent to more vides educational opportunities, including fellowship and than one State. In the Chesapeake Bay, for example, Mary- internship programs, to the public. Most institutions funded by land, Virginia, and Pennsylvania used interstate grants to the program support graduate and undergraduate students acquire computer hardware and conduct studies on striped in marine related disciplines, and expand conventional cur- bass, oysters, and seagrasses. The funds also enabled ricula with marine and social science materials. Some insti- the States to standardize data bases used to analyze the tutions have teacher training programs in marine and estu- Bay's resources and to implement clean-up programs. arine sciences in public school districts. 15 PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE W HAT lies in store for the future? We can predict careful planning. NOAA, therefore, is evaluating its pro- with certainty that pressures on the estuaries will grams to ensure that they meet the future's estuarine needs. continue to rise. Our attraction to the coast will in- NOAA has already taken the first step in this introspective evitably lead to more development, and with that develop- process by establishing a separate office - the Estuarine ment, an array of stresses-more human and industrial Programs Office to coordinate NOAA's diverse estuarine wastes to be disposed of, higher volumes of runoff with activities both internally and with other organizations. This sediments and contaminants to be controlled, more altera- Office is pursuing the second step, which is to develop a tion of fish and wildlife habitat. comprehensive estuarine plan for the Agency. The plan will be complete in 1987 and %@ill guide NOAA's estuarine assess- ment, research, and management activities well into the To anticipate and manage these stresses, Federal and 1990s. With the estuarine plan as a blueprint, NOAA will be State agencies must work with the public to develop innovative equipped with a list of priorities for the future and a pathway strategies. It is a time for cooperation, introspection, and for implementation. 41 g We must plan for the future to -7- maintain the bounty of our bays. 01 OF CO 1911, For more information a ns, contact the NOAA Estuarine Programs Office, 1825 iington, D.C. 20235. rEs OV 3 6668 00 02 8318