National coastal news

NOAA/Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management

Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) Reauthorization - to view the bill go to the link on the Coastal State Organization (CSO).

Go to NOAA's website for information concerning NOAA's annual budget request and status.

NOAA News and Issues; Public Comment Opportunities and Calendar (including NOAA's Budget Request)

NOAA Photo Library

US Ocean Commission on Ocean Policy

Pew Commission

National Coastal Legislation

For current legislative news, visit the Coastal States Organization - CSO provides tracking and updates of key federal coastal resource management and environmental legislation, US House and Senate actions, and activities of the national Coastal Zone Management program. The highlights below are courtesy of CSO.

National Coastal Periodicals

• NOAA Magazine
• EPA Beach Currents
• Intercoast Network Newsletter - international coastal zone management produced by Coastal Resources Center
• Coastlines Newsletter - information about estuaries and near coastal waters produced by the Urban Harbors Institute

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National Coastal News/Publications

(November 2006 Updates)

New Report on US Population and the Environment Released ---
The Center for the Environment and Population has released the U.S. National Report on Population and the Environment which provides an overview of how human population factors affect America's environment and natural resource base. The report is divided into two sections. The first, entitled "Population Profile of the United States," describes the population trends in America that affect the natural environment, including rates of population growth; density; movement (including migration and tourism); composition (the make-up of a given population, such as age, income, households), and; rates and types of resource consumption. The second section consists of nine chapters that examine how those population trends are linked to, and impact, key environmental sectors, including land use, water, forests, biological diversity, fisheries/aquatic resources, agriculture, energy, climate change, and solid/toxic waste. The report notes more that 50% of all US residents live within 50 miles of the coast, in 17% percent of the total of the nations land area. An additional 25 million people are expected to move into these areas in the next decade. To view the report, visit http://cepnet.org/documents/USNatlReptFinal.pdf.

(Previous Posts)

Supreme Court Rules on Wetlands Protections ---

A Supreme Court ruling means the federal government's power to enforce wetlands regulations under the Clean Water Act will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

In the ruling (Rapanos vs. United States and Carabel vs. Army Corps of Engineers), five justices agreed to remand the case to the Sixth Circuit for more fact finding.  Justice Scalia, writing the opinion of the Court and joined by three justices, ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the lead federal agency on wetlands regulation, exceeded its authority when it denied two Michigan developers permits to build on wetlands.  The Court said the Corps had gone beyond the Clean Water Act by making landowners obtain permits to dump rocks and dirt not only in marshes directly next to lakes and rivers but also in areas linked to larger bodies of water only through a network of ditches and drains. However, while Justice Kennedy's opinion concurred with the judgment, he signaled that the Corps should use a different standard.  The difference in opinion means there was not a majority concurrence in the standard to be used.  The effect of this important Clean Water Act case was thus neither the outright rollback of federal wetlands regulation that property rights advocates have long sought nor the reaffirmation of the Clean Water Act that environmental organizations had desired. Instead, unless Congress amends the law or federal regulators change their rules, the likely outcome is more litigation in lower courts, with property owners, U.S. agencies and federal judges trying to figure out how to satisfy the standards sketched in Justice Kennedy's solo opinion.  Several justices urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clarify its regulations. 

 

New Study Released Identifies Gaps in Environmental Data ---

The H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment has published a report entitled Filling the Gaps: Priority Data Needs and Key Management Challenges for National Reporting on Ecosystem Condition.  The report identifies areas where adequate environmental data are lacking and recommends that attention be given to filling the gaps.  Data gaps in the report included:

• Analyzing remote sensing land-cover data
• Reporting on species and communities at risk of extinction of loss
• Measuring the extend and impact of non-native species
• Assessing the condition of plant and animal communities
• Determining the condition of riparian areas and stream habitat; and
• Reporting on groundwater levels.

The report also concluded that the current system for collecting and reporting environmental data is fragmented because government agencies and other organization collect data according to their own mandates, missions, interests and resources.  To view the report, visit the Heinz Center website at http://heinzctr.org/.

 

Pilot Study Indicates Link between Land Use and Public Health Pathogens ---
Scientists from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science presented preliminary results from a study that is examining the relationship between land use, environmental factors, and levels of public health pathogens and fecal-pollution indicator organisms in water and oysters.  Early findings indicate that levels of fecal pathogens (coliforms, enterococci, coliphages) were higher at the headwaters of tidal creek systems and that most of these organisms were of animal origin.  However, the presence of Norovirus, a human-specific pathogen, suggested some human influence in the tidal creek systems.  These findings will assist environmental managers in understanding factors that control the levels of bacteria and other pathogens in estuaries and may lead to better management options.  The results were presented at the American Society for Microbiology meeting in Orlando, FL.  For more information, contact Jan Gooch@noaa.gov.

 

NCCOS Remote Sensing Tool Improves Accuracy of Coastal Ocean Assessments in the Southeast ---
The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science developed and is using a novel automated registration process to improve spatial accuracy of NOAA remote images for coastal ocean assessments of the southeastern United States.  NOAA CoastWatch Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer and Sea Surface Temperature images had spatial errors up to 10 km prior to 2004, and their use for coastal ocean assessments required costly and subjective manual correction.  Images registered with the new automated process are being applied to develop forecasts of the ecological impacts of hurricanes on near-shore aquatic habitats.  Details of the registration procedure will appear in the June issue of Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote sensing.  For more information, contact Randy Ferguson@noaa.gov.

 

Better Elevation Measures Improve Ecological Forecasting and Habitat Restoration ---

Recent improvement of elevation instrumentation to measure the height of intertidal surfaces will advance ecological forecasting and habitat restoration planning activities of the National Center for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) and NCCOS developed and tested a reconfigured instrument package that provided fast and accurate measurements in salt marshes, seagrass beds, tidal flats and oyster reefs. The unit includes a survey grade Global Positioning System receiver, a tilt-meter, and compass mounted on a custom built cart. Tests completed during May 22-25 in Beaufort, North Carolina found measurements were correct to within 2cm. The technology is being improved and protocols documented for use by the NOAA Restoration Center, the NOAA Coastal Ocean Program, and the National Aquarium in Baltimore. For more information, contact Carolyn.Currin@noaa.gov.

 

Marine Mammal Reports ---

The National Marine Fisheries Service has released the final 2005 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports. To view the reports, go to http://nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/.

 

NOAA Releases Science Brief on Ocean Acidification ---

NOAA has issued the science brief Carbon Dioxide and Our Ocean Legacy. The 4-page fact sheet details new scientific research showing that oceans are beginning to face yet another threat due to global climate change—the basic chemistry is changing because of the uptake of carbon dioxide released by human activities. According to the brief, this natural process of carbon dioxide absorption has benefited humankind by significantly reducing the greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere and thus minimizing some impacts of global warming. However, the ocean’s daily uptake of 22 million tons of carbon dioxide is starting to take its toll on the chemistry of seawater. These changes have a negative impact on corals and other sea life, especially at the base of the food chain, with potential adverse economic consequences. To view this 4-page fact sheet, go to http://pmel.noaa.gov/pubs/PDF/feel2899/feel2899.pdf.

 

EPA Releases Guidance for State Water Monitoring and Assessment Program For Wetlands ---

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released Application of Elements of a State Water Monitoring and Assessment Program For Wetlands, a document prepared to help EPA and State program managers plan and implement a wetland monitoring and assessment program within the context of the March 2003 EPA document, Elements of a State Water Monitoring and Assessment Program. It provides clarification and further information on how the original Elements document applies to wetlands. The purpose of this document is to provide specific information on the elements of wetlands monitoring programs for states that are in earlier stages of developing these programs and to promote interstate consistency in reporting progress toward increasing wetland quantity and towards the longer-term goal of improving the quality of the nation’s wetlands.  The guidance document is available at http://epa.gov/owow/wetlands/pdf/Wetland_Elements_Final.pdf.

 

Development of Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast Model ---

National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science NCCOS) managers and NCCOS-funded researchers have been working with state shellfish managers to develop an implementation plan for transitioning models to predict harmful algal bloom (HAB) transport and shellfish toxicity from a research to an operational mode. The plan involves the development of an observational network of HAB sensors to meet the short-term (1-3 days) warning needs of coastal managers. The network will provide data for the models to develop longer-term predictions. A workshop planned for next year will showcase progress on the prototype network. This project is part of an ongoing NCCOS effort to develop an integrated forecasting capability in the Gulf of Maine by linking together observing systems, sensors, process studies, and models. For more information, contact Quay.Dortch@noaa.gov.

 

Wetlands Status Report ---

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has released a report entitled, Conserving America's Wetlands 2006: Two Years of Progress Implementing the Presidents Goal. In 2004, the President set a goal to move beyond “no net loss” of wetlands and attain an overall increase in the amount and quality of wetlands in America. The report states that 1,797,000 acres of wetlands have been restored, created, protected, or improved. This includes 588,000 acres of created wetlands that did not exist in 2004. See http://whitehouse.gov/ceq/wetlands_200604.pdf.

 

GAO Publishes Report on US Tsunami Preparedness ---
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published a new report entitled: US Tsunami Preparedness: Federal and State Partners Collaborate To Reduce Potential Impacts, But Challenges Remain.  Key findings from the report include:

To read the report, visit the GOA website at http://gao.gov/new.items/d06519.pdf.

 

Interagency Collaboration for Watershed Management ---

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers have agreed to establish a collaborative watershed partnership. The partnership aims to improve economic development, protection, and restoration efforts on all levels by streamlining communication, as well as combining the strengths and capabilities of the two agencies as they relate to watershed management. The collaboration was established to enable EPA and the Corps to work together to resolve conflicts between the different interests involved in watershed disputes. A copy of the partnership agreement and other information can be provided by the Army Corps of Engineers or EPA. (posted 1-10-05)

 

Model Allows Coastal Managers to Predict Boat Wake Impacts ---
Scientists from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) have designed a model for coastal managers to predict the impact of boat wake on shallow water habitats. The model will be used primarily in natural resource damage assessments, but also have application in circumstances including restoration projects. The model incorporates sophisticated software for wave propagation and refraction and will be accessible through a user-friendly CD-ROM. The model is currently being tested and field verification is expected to begin in December 2004 with funding from NOAA's Restoration Center. For more information, contact Mark Fonseca.

 

EPA Releases Final Standards for Beach Act ---

EPA released final water quality standards for bacteria in recreational waters of the coastal and Great Lakes states required under the Beach Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act (BEACH). These water quality standards will apply to states that do not already have their own bacteria standards in place. Of the 35 states and territories that have coastal or Great Lakes recreational waters, 14 have adopted water quality standards that are as protective of health as EPA's recommended standards, five states have adopted the standards for some of their coastal recreation waters, 13 states are in the process of fully adopting the standards and three have not begun the process. EPA will continue to grant funding to all BEACH Act states and territories regardless of their status under this action. Since the inception of the Act, EPA has provided approximately $32 million in grants to help states implement this monitoring program. For more information, visit http://epa.gov/beaches/.

 

Pew Oceans Commission Issues Report ---
Citing the continuing decline in the abundance of ocean wildlife, loss of coastal and estuarine habitat and the potential collapse of marine systems, the Pew Oceans Commission issued a report recommending comprehensive reforms to U.S. ocean management. The report, entitled America's Living Oceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change, is the first review of U.S. ocean policy since the Stratton Commission in 1969, and presents solutions for restoring ocean wildlife, preserving coastal habitat, cleaning coastal waters, and reforming ocean governance. To download the summary or full report, visit the Pew Ocean Commission website.

 

EPA Publishes Community-Based Watershed Management: Lessons from The National Estuary Program ---

EPA recently published Community-Based Watershed Management: Lessons from the National Estuary Program (NEP), a handbook designed for all individuals and organizations involved in watershed management, including states, tribes, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations. The handbook describes innovative approaches to watershed management implemented by the 28 National Estuary Programs, which are community-based watershed management organizations that restore and protect coastal watersheds. Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience, readers will learn how the NEPs organize and maintain effective citizen involvement efforts, collect and analyze data, assess and prioritize problems, develop and implement management plans, and communicate results of program activities. While estuaries and their coastal watersheds are the focus of the NEPs, their experience can also be adapted to non-coastal watershed initiatives. For more information and to download this handbook (in PDF format), visit: http://epa.gov/owow/estuaries/nepprimer. Also, you can receive a free copy of this handbook by contacting the National Service Center for Environmental Publications via phone at 1-800-490-9198 or via the web at www.epa.gov/ncepihom and requesting Publication # EPA 842-B-05-003.

EPA Publishes Measures for Nonpoint Pollution from Forestry ---

EPA recently published the National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Forestry, a new technical guidance and reference document for use by states, territories, and authorized tribal managers as well as the public in the implementation of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution management programs in forest settings. The new guidance contains information on the best available, economically achievable means of reducing nonpoint source pollution that can result from forestry activities.

LTA and TPL Release New Conservation Easement Handbook ---

The Land Trust Alliance (LTA) and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) have revised and expanded the Conservation Easement Handbook, a resource for professionals developing a land conservation easement program to meet local acquisition needs. Originally published in 1988, this new edition draws on 17 years of experience from more than a thousand American land trusts and offers something for everyone: practical how-to tips and checklists for land trust staff and board members; detailed drafting guidelines for attorneys; and many sample documents (565 pages with a companion CD-ROM).

Second Volume of Restoration Monitoring Manual Available ---

The second volume, Tools for Monitoring Coastal Habitats, of the two-volume restoration monitoring manual titled Science-Based Restoration Monitoring of Coastal Habitats is now available online. Volume Two provides tools and information for the development and implementation of restoration monitoring plans for 13 types of coastal habitats. Scientists from the NCCOS coordinated development of the manual. Over 35,000 copies of the first volume have been requested, and demand for Volume Two is anticipated to be even greater. For more information, contact Restoration.Monitoring@noaa.gov.

Study Finds More Work Needed on Increasing Light Availability Under Docks and Piers for SAV ---

One factor influencing submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) growth and abundance is light availability, which can be severely curtailed by over-water structures such as docks. As coastal areas become more developed, shading of SAV beds becomes an increasing environmental concern. A recent study evaluated the utility of a 19th-century technology in addressing this 21st-century problem. The investigators explored whether docks constructed with embedded hexagonal glass prisms like those used to provide light below-decks in wooden whaling vessels would allow SAV to thrive underneath. Light penetration, water quality and SAV cover were measured under experimental docks with prisms, docks without prisms, and in control areas without docks in the St. Johns River, Florida. Unfortunately, this clever solution did not work as expected: There was no difference in SAV growth under the two dock types. SAV declined in all areas due to water quality problems, but declined most rapidly under all docks (compared to open water control areas). SAV recovery did not occur under either type of dock, leading to the conclusion that the additional light penetration allowed by the prisms was not sufficient to promote SAV growth. The authors note that reduced light magnifies the susceptibility of SAV to environmental stressors. They add that dock placement should be considered carefully to minimize impacts on SAV, and that other alternate dock designs allowing greater light penetration should continue to be pursued. Source: Steinmetz, A. M., M. M. Jeansonne, E. S. Gordon and J. W. Burns, Jr. 2004. An evaluation of glass prisms in boat docks to reduce shading of submerged aquatic vegetation in the lower St. Johns River, Florida. Estuaries 27(6): 938-944. (posted 3-21-05)

 

Bacteria Resistant to Multiple Antibiotics Found in Dolphins ---

Scientists from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) have found antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli bacteria in wild dolphin populations in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida and Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. Twenty percent of the Florida dolphins captured and 70% of the South Carolina dolphins captured exhibited resistance to one or more of 26 antibiotics evaluated. This study, part of NCCOS' larger Dolphin Health and Risk Assessment Project assessing dolphin health relative to environmental factors, furthers understanding of the transfer and potential impacts of antibiotic resistance in coastal dolphins. For more information, contact john.bemiss@noaa.gov. (posted 3-21-05)

 

NOAA Releases Report on Coastal Population Trends ---

On March 1, 2005 NOAA released a new report titled Population Trends Along The Coastal United States: 1980-2008. This report details the ever increasing movement of the U.S. population to coastal counties and the implications of those trends for the future. This publication updates an earlier version of the report that was compiled over a decade ago as part of a Coastal Trends Report Series. CSO issued a statement on the Report that was picked up and included in several news stories around the country: in the Washington Times, Scripps, and the Los Angeles Times.

 

CSO Releases Report on Translating Science into Management ---

The Coastal States Organization (CSO) has released the first report in a series which examines the relationship between science and management in the coastal zone. The report, titled Translating Science to Management: Challenges and Opportunities for the Coastal Community, discusses several factors to consider when linking science and management including: the limitations of science; scientific uncertainty; the role of scientists in resource management; the importance of communication; and the role of stakeholders and public participation. One key conclusion in the report is the need for forums that bring scientists and managers together to identify managers' needs, share research information, and improve communication. This paper was undertaken as part of CSO's multi-year CSO Science to Management Initiative. A copy of the report is attached and can also be found on the CSO home page.

 

Final Report From Ocean Future Roundtables - NOAA National Ocean Service ---
A final report from the Ocean Future Roundtables hosted by NOS Assistant Administrator Dr. Richard Sprinrad in early 2004 - the roundtables provided an important opportunity for constituents from academia, private industry, trade associations, research institutions, environmental groups and marine conservation organizations, to discuss current NOS initiatives with senior NOS program officials and NOAA Ocean Council members.  Anumber of common themes emerged during roundtable discussions - participants at all of the meetings recognized the need to raise public understanding of the role of the ocean in sustaining the nation's economy and environment; nearly everyone agreed that the ocean community should work together to support the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy; and, many participants stressed the need to better link scientific and management efforts, and noted the important role that an integrated ocean observing system could play in furthering the understanding, sustainable use, and management of ocean and coastal resources.

 

NOAA FY05-FY10 Strategic Plan ---

Serves as a blueprint for managing its programs, as well as to guide future programmatic, budgetary and policy d

decisions.

 

NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS) FY05-FY10 Strategic Plan ---

Charts NOS' course for preserving and enhancing ocean and coastal ecosystems while supporting long-term economic growth over the next five years and beyond. The NOS Plan (PDF) is aligned with the new NOAA Strategic Plan, and guides NOS science, service, and management efforts toward achieving the agency's overarching goals.

 

Manual on Coastal Habitat Restoration - NOAA ---

This manual compiles key restoration monitoring information applicable to coastal habitats nationwide. "Science-Based Restoration Monitoring of Coastal Habitats, Volume One: A Framework for Monitoring Plans Under the Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000 (Public Law 160-457)" offers technical assistance, outlines steps, and provides useful tools for developing and carrying out monitoring of coastal restoration efforts. Prepared by the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, the manual offers coastal resource managers, practitioners and the public a consolidated set of science-based tools for planning and conducting monitoring associated with restoration in habitats throughout U.S. coastal waters habitats. Learn more...

 

DRAFT National Coastal Condition Report II - EPA ---

The EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds DRAFT National Coastal Condition Report II describes the ecological and environmental conditions of U.S. coastal waters.  It rates the overall condition of coastal waters as fair to poor, varying from region to region. The Report is a coordinated effort among EPA, NOAA, USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the coastal states.

 

Draft Wetland Mitigation Guidelines - Corps Districts ---

In accordance with a National Mitigation Action Plan, the Corps sought to establish a consistent baseline of information on mitigation and monitoring guidelines for every Corps District. The purpose of the plan is is to further the goal of "no net loss" of wetlands by undertaking a series of actions to improve the ecological performance and results of compensatory mitigation under the Clean Water Act and related programs.

 

Summary Report from Capitol Hill Oceans Week - National Marine Sanctuary Foundation ---

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (NMSF) provides a summary report of the annual Capitol Hill Oceans Week. In 2004 the week focused on managing our marine resources and ocean exploration, monitoring and education. The event includes participants from the federal government, academia, industry, non-profit organizations, and members of Congress and their staff.

 

2004 Guidelines for Nonpoint Source Program - EPA ---

Guidelines for the National Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program, implemented under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, focus approximately one-half of Section 319 dollars on the remediation of impaired waters through the development of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), and the development and implementation of watershed-based plans. These plans provide an analytical framework for assessing the sources of water pollution; estimating the amount of pollutant reduction needed to achieve water quality standards; identifying the management measures whose implementation will enable those reductions to be achieved; and identifying financial and regulatory tools, as appropriate, that will enable the watershed plan's goals to be achieved.

 

Booklet on Rebuilding Sand Dunes - Sea Grant ---

Tips for rebuilding eroded dunes, such as those destroyed along the East Coast by Hurricane Isabel, are featured in this 32-page publication from the North Carolina Sea Grant. The Dune Book (PDF) explains how erosion occurs and describes several effective dune management practices along developed shorelines where people, buildings, and roads are already in place. The book describes effective types of live plants for securing and building dunes and the optimum time and method for planting each species.

 

Report on Coastal and Ocean Economics - National Governors Association (NGA) ---

Report titled The Changing Ocean and Coastal Economy of the United States (PDF), authored by Dr. Charlie Colgan, the chief economist of the National Ocean Economics Project (NOEP), provides a summary of key findings on the socio-economic factors influencing the coastal and ocean economy and explores the implications of identified trends. The report also highlights implications of the data to state and national policy in several different areas, including coastal resource management, transportation, land use planning, economic development and state economic data collection and management.

 

Fishery Statistics of the United States ---

Annual reports summarize U.S. commercial fishery statistics on landings, production, cold storage holdings, imports, exports, supply, per capita consumption, and prices, as well as recreational fishery statistics on fishing effort, participation, total catch, and harvest. For report highlights and previous reports, see: NMFS publications.

 

GAO Report on Invasive Species Management Challenges - General Accounting Office (GAO) ---

Report titled, Invasive Species: State and Other Nonfederal Perspectives on Challenges to Managing the Problem (PDF), provides the final results a survey that focused on state perspectives on (1) gaps in, or problems with, federal legislation addressing invasive species, (2) barriers to managing invasive species, (3) effective leadership structures for addressing invasive species, and (4) integrating federal aquatic and terrestrial invasive species legislation and the potential gains and drawbacks of such legislation.

 

State of the Beach Report - Surfrider Foundation ---

Annual State of the Beach report rates issues such as beach access, surf zone water quality, beach erosion, beach nourishment, shoreline structures, surfing areas and the availability of this type of information to the public. The report also provides a state-by-state breakdown.

 

Report on the Environment - EPA ---

National picture of U.S. environmental quality and human health.

 

Annual Natural Resources Inventory - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service ---

Annual National Resources Inventory (NRI) looks at various natural resource conditions and trends on nonfederal lands, such as soil erosion, land use, urbanization and development.

 

National Shoreline Management Study - US Army Corps of Engineers ---

A National Shoreline Management Study examined the status of the Nation's shoreline for the first time in 30 years to provide a basis for Federal shoreline management actions. The first report from this study is entitled The Corps of Engineers and Shore Protection: History, Projects, Costs.

 

NOAA State of the Coast Web Site - February 1998 - November 2001 ---

The project produced 17 essays on a variety of coastal topics, three CD-ROMs, and a short video featuring former members and associates of the Stratton Commission. The essays remain available here as PDF files.

 

Clean Water Act of 2000 ---

The Clean Water Act is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the United States.