Washington, D.C., April 2, 2002 -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing the first environmental report card on the condition of the nation's coastal waters. The report, primarily evaluating estuaries, describes the condition of U.S. coastal waters as fair to poor.
While the current condition of U.S. coastal waters is less than ideal, the findings provide EPA with baseline estimates of coastal conditions for select coastal regions. The report was developed in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This information will allow EPA to monitor the progress of ongoing coastal water quality protection programs, analyze trends, and identify data gaps.
EPA plans to do future studies to determine water quality improvements in coastal areas. Robert H. Wayland III, director of the EPA's Office of Wetlands Oceans & Watersheds, said "It took decades for the coasts to get this way and though progress has been made, there is much work still to do. Virtually, the whole landscape of the United States drains into the coasts. This report emphasizes the ecological and economical importance of these areas. We need to encourage efforts to protect the coasts by emphasizing watershed protection, restoring habitats, and reducing non-point source and point source pollution."
The Bush Administration is taking several new steps to address coastal issues highlighted in the report. The President's budget proposes $21 million in new funding for watershed protection. By protecting watersheds, EPA helps improve water quality in all waters of the country, including coastal areas.
EPA also has given grants to states to address bacterial contamination of bathing beaches. EPA is one of several agencies participating in a new Estuary Habitat Restoration Council, focusing on restoring estuaries - a valuable coastal resource.
In addition, EPA is working with states, tribes, and other federal agencies on an action plan to address the 'dead zone,' a large oxygen-starved area in the Gulf of Mexico, which threatens one of the nation's most productive and valuable fishing grounds. To reduce bacterial contamination in coastal waters, EPA also is issuing technical guidance to improve design and operation of septic systems used in many coastal areas. The report is available at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nccr/.
