Since
1987, The National Estuary Program (NEP) has worked to recognize
and protect "estuaries of national significance." Today, the
NEP encompasses 28 selected estuaries, located in every coastal
region in the country. Many of the program's estuaries are in
good health, but need additional protection if they are to remain
that way. Others are suffering from the consequences of rapid
growth and development, and require assistance to repair damage
to their habitats, fisheries, or water quality. All are cornerstones
of their community's economic and environmental well being -
as well as its cultural identity.
For these
reasons, we bring you this 'ANEP Online' feature ... the "NEP
Spotlight." Beginning in February 2003, you can learn the ABCs
of our featured NEP . Each month, the spotlight shifts to tell
the story of another NEP's early years, it's continuing mission,
and how local stewardship has helped make it's efforts that
more effective. Also, get some fast facts on the nation's estuaries.
What's the second largest estuarine system in the nation, next
to the Chesapeake Bay? Which one holds the record for third
largest concentration of recreational boats in the US? Nearly
three-quarters of which national estuary's watershed in the
northeast is forested or open lands? Another has the largest
port on the US east coast and is among the largest in the world.
And which of the 28 is the only NEP outside of the continental
US?
Spend a
little time each month with us and brush up on your estuarine
knowledge. We'll get you to the head of the class.
Still not
convinced why you should be interested in knowing more about
the NEPs?
They're
where you live . Today, most Americans live within 50
miles of the coast, and thousands of newcomers arrive every
day.
Their
reach stretches across the nation . More than 42 percent
of the continental US shoreline is now included in the National
Estuary Program, and 15 percent of all Americans live within
NEP-designated watersheds.
They're
where your seafood comes from . As many as 80 percent
of the fish we catch for food or fun depend on estuaries for
all parts of their lives.
They
bring in big bucks . Commercial and recreational fishing
contribute $4.3 billion to the nation's economy each year. Tourism
and recreation generate an estimated annual economic impact
of $16.3 billion.
Their
wellbeing is in your hands . Although each estuary has
a unique local character and heritage, the NEP has served to
highlight problems common to all - such as water quality degradation,
fish and wildlife habitat loss, and alteration of freshwater
flows. The knowledge that these threats are shared nationwide
has helped to increase awareness of estuaries as significant
national resources and has galvanized support for preserving
and restoring these "cradles of the sea."
Current
Spotlights:
Future
Spotlights:
- Barnegat
Bay
- Buzzards
Bay
- Casco
Bay
- Charlotte
Harbor
- Coastal
Bend and Bays
- Delaware
Estuary Program
- Delaware
Inland Bays
- Galveston
Bay
- Indian
River Lagoon
- Long
Island Sound
- Lower
Columbia River Estuary
- Maryland
Coastal Bay
- Massachusetts
Bays
- Mobile
Bay
- Morro
Bay
- Narragansett
Bay
- New
Hampshire Estuaries
- New
York- New Jersey Harbor
- Peconic
Bays
- Puget
Sound
- San
Francisco Bay
- San
Juan Bay
- Santa
Monica Bay
- Sarasota
Bay
- Tampa
Bay
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