For additional information, contact EPA’s

Oceans and Coastal Protection Division

 at (202) 260-1952 or visit our home page at

www.epa.gov/owow/oceans.

	

 
	 
	


	


	

port your local estuary program (www.epa.gov/owow/

uaries/nep.html).

u know that there is a National Estuary Program that

in addressing the impact of sewage on the aquatic

nment?

tional Estuary Program (NEP), established in 1987 under

an Water Act, is a collection of 28 community-based

ships that take responsibility for managing their estuaries.

Ps have played a significant role in establishing NDZs,

ng awareness about clean boating, and establishing

ut and dump facilities. For example:

 Francisco Estuary Program assisted in the designation of

hardson Bay as an NDZ.

et Sound Estuary Program led the development of public

 private partnerships to improve the availability of

mpout stations and educate boat owners.
humans.

he early 1920s

. Public Health

 has been

ring the

 shellfish

for bacterial

ination. Today

vest of

h is restricted or prohibited in approximately

ent of all shellfish growing waters because of

ater quality. Untreated sewage discharge from

ccounts for about 13 percent of those restrictions.

Vessel sewage discharges increase bioerosion of coralreefs, making them more susceptible to collapse.

Fewer shellfish bed closures result in saferand more abundant harvests for consumers.

cial and recreational fisheries.Coral reefs protectnearby coastal areas. They reduce shoreline erosion andprovide protection from storms by acting as natural stormsurge barriers. They are also believed to be importantuntapped sources of medicines. Coral reefs are extremelysensitive to sewage discharge and often act as indicatorsthat the ocean waters in which they live are polluted.Unlike shellfish beds, however, once they are gone, theyare gone forever.Sadly, it is estimated that 10 percent of all coral reefs worldwide have been damaged beyond repair, and another30 percent are in critical condition and likely to die within10 to 20 years. Impacts from sewage play a role in thedecline of coral reefs.
rable health

humans.

he early 1920s

. Public Health

 has been

ring the

 shellfish

for bacterial

ination. Today

vest of

h is restricted or prohibited in approximately

ent of all shellfish growing waters because of

ater quality. Untreated sewage discharge from

ccounts for about 13 percent of those restrictions.

Vessel sewage discharges increase bioerosion of coralreefs, making them more susceptible to collapse.

Fewer shellfish bed closures result in saferand more abundant harvests for consumers.

valuable commercial and recreational fisheries.Coral reefs protectnearby coastal areas. They reduce shoreline erosion andprovide protection from storms by acting as natural stormsurge barriers. They are also believed to be importantuntapped sources of medicines. Coral reefs are extremelysensitive to sewage discharge and often act as indicatorsthat the ocean waters in which they live are polluted.Unlike shellfish beds, however, once they are gone, theyare gone forever.Sadly, it is estimated that 10 percent of all coral reefs worldwide have been damaged beyond repair, and another30 percent are in critical condition and likely to die within10 to 20 years. Impacts from sewage play a role in thedecline of coral reefs.
humans.

he early 1920s

. Public Health

 has been

ring the

 shellfish

for bacterial

ination. Today

vest of

h is restricted or prohibited in approximately

ent of all shellfish growing waters because of

ater quality. Untreated sewage discharge from

ccounts for about 13 percent of those restrictions.

Vessel sewage discharges increase bioerosion of coralreefs, making them more susceptible to collapse.

Fewer shellfish bed closures result in saferand more abundant harvests for consumers.

cial and recreational fisheries.Coral reefs protectnearby coastal areas. They reduce shoreline erosion andprovide protection from storms by acting as natural stormsurge barriers. They are also believed to be importantuntapped sources of medicines. Coral reefs are extremelysensitive to sewage discharge and often act as indicatorsthat the ocean waters in which they live are polluted.Unlike shellfish beds, however, once they are gone, theyare gone forever.Sadly, it is estimated that 10 percent of all coral reefs worldwide have been damaged beyond repair, and another30 percent are in critical condition and likely to die within10 to 20 years. Impacts from sewage play a role in thedecline of coral reefs.
 For additional information, contact EPA’s

Oceans and Coastal Protection Division

 at (202) 260-1952 or visit our home page at

www.epa.gov/owow/oceans.

	

 
	 
	


	


	

port your local estuary program (www.epa.gov/owow/

uaries/nep.html).

u know that there is a National Estuary Program that

in addressing the impact of sewage on the aquatic

nment?

tional Estuary Program (NEP), established in 1987 under

an Water Act, is a collection of 28 community-based

ships that take responsibility for managing their estuaries.

Ps have played a significant role in establishing NDZs,

ng awareness about clean boating, and establishing

ut and dump facilities. For example:

 Francisco Estuary Program assisted in the designation of

hardson Bay as an NDZ.

et Sound Estuary Program led the development of public

 private partnerships to improve the availability of

mpout stations and educate boat owners.
For additional information, contact EPA’s

Oceans and Coastal Protection Division

 at (202) 566-1200 or visit our home page at

www.epa.gov/owow/oceans.

	

 
	 
	


	


	

port your local estuary program (www.epa.gov/owow/

uaries/nep.html).

u know that there is a National Estuary Program that

in addressing the impact of sewage on the aquatic

nment?

tional Estuary Program (NEP), established in 1987 under

an Water Act, is a collection of 28 community-based

ships that take responsibility for managing their estuaries.

Ps have played a significant role in establishing NDZs,

ng awareness about clean boating, and establishing

ut and dump facilities. For example:

 Francisco Estuary Program assisted in the designation of

hardson Bay as an NDZ.

et Sound Estuary Program led the development of public

 private partnerships to improve the availability of

mpout stations and educate boat owners.