May 2009

U.S. Coral Reef Task Force

Federal Member Coral Profiles

U.S. Coral Reef Task Force

Federal Member Coral Profiles

● NOAA CRCP: The Coral Reef Conservation Program has a large grant program funding major coral reef 

research and management initiatives in the US and abroad.

● FWS: Fish and Wildlife Service manages 15 coral reef National Wildlife Refuges and 4 National Marine 

Monuments which represent the largest and most ecologically comprehensive series of fully-protected marine 

areas under unifi ed conservation management in the world.

● MMS: Since the 1970s, the Mineral Management Service has sponsored long-term monitoring in the coral reef 

ecosystem of the Flower Garden Banks located in the Gulf of Mexico.

● NPS: The National Park Service has 10 National Parks in the Pacifi c, Florida and the Caribbean with coral reef ecosystems.

● OIA: Offi ce of Insular Aff airs, through its Coral Reef Initiative, funds coral reef conservation and management 

projects in the US insular areas.

● USGS: The U.S. Geological Survey developed a “Strategic Science for Coral Ecosystems 2007-2011,” a 

comprehensive planning document encompassing marine reserves and reef structure, pollution and local 

impacts, and responses to global change.

● USAID: The US Agency for International Development provides core support to the WorldFish Center, 

which published a “Lessons Learned and Best Practices in the Management of Coral Reefs,” providing a 

comprehensive analysis of 30 projects worldwide.

● USCG: The US Coast Guard provides assets to assist with the removal of fi shing gear and other debris aff ecting 

coral reefs; removing over 510 metric tons from Hawai`i since 1996.

● USDA: The Department of Agriculture staff produces and maintains Field Offi ce Technical Guides, with information 

on conservation, water, air and biological resources, as well as maps, cultural resources, and protected species.

● DOD - Navy: The Department of Defense funds a vast array of environmental research via the Strategic 

Environmental Research and Development Program, focusing the areas of cleanup, compliance, conservation 

and pollution prevention technologies.

● USACE: The Army Corps of Engineers maintains an Institute for Water Resources, off ering education and 

training opportunities in water resource management.

● DOS: The Department of State provides substantial support to the International Coral Reef Initiative and the 

Coral Triangle Initiative.

● EPA: The Environmental Protection Agency maintains the Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed 

Protection, a database with funding from many Federal agencies.

● NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration conducts cutting-edge coral monitoring and imaging 

research, including the Millennium Coral Reef Mapping Project, which maps all reefs found in all tropical oceans.

● NSF: The National Science Foundation supports projects targeted to advancing knowledge of coral reef 

ecosystems, including long-term and inter-disciplinary research.

These Coral Profi les provide a concise overview of the United States Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) 

Federal members’ mission, role, authorities, programs, activities, and resources (grants, tools, training, 

etc) related to coral reefs and associated ecosystems. The intent of the Coral Profi les is to better capture 

each Federal member’s role in coral reef conservation and to facilitate better planning and collaborative 

action among and between USCRTF members, including jurisdictions, and help the USCRTF better direct 

its collective activities. The Coral Profi les present and introduce individual Federal agencies to the general 

public, and highlight funding opportunities available to jurisdictions and NGOs. The Coral Profi les also 

contain many coral reef highlights from each agency. Below is a sample from each one:

About Coral Profiles
Agency Contributors

This document was produced with the assistance and collaboration of the members and 

staff of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF). This report involved collecting, assessing, 

and presenting information on coral reef activities from the Federal members of the USCRTF. 

We thank all of the individuals who committed their time to drafting this report.

Lead Editors:

Paulo Maurin – Paulo.Maurin@noaa.gov Sarah Bobbe – Sarah_Bobbe@ios.doi.gov 

These individuals drafted or assisted in drafting the coral profile sections for their agencies: 

NOAA Beth Dieveney, Steve Thur

DOI Terry Holman 

FWS Andrew Gude, Bret Wolfe 

MMS Tom Ahlfeld, Gregory Boland 

NPS Cliff McCreedy 

OIA Karen Koltes 

USGS Colleen Charles, Gary Brewer, Mike Field 

USAID Barbara Best

USCG LCDR Chris Barrows, Steven Tucker, Chris German

USDA Howard Hankin 

DOD - Navy Tom Egeland, Lorri Schwartz, Susan Levitt

DOD - USACE Russell Kaiser, Joe Wilson

DOS Christine Dawson

EPA Hazel Groman, Lucinda Power

NASA Paula Bontempi, Liane Guild

NSF Phil Taylor
Contents

Photo Credits....................................................................................................... 6

The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force....................................................................... 7

NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program................................................. 11

Department of the Interior............................................................................ 18

Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI)..................................................................... 19

Minerals Management Service (DOI)........................................................ 27

The National Park Service (DOI).................................................................. 30

Offi ce of Insular Aff airs (DOI)........................................................................ 35

U.S. Geological Survey (DOI)......................................................................... 39

U.S. Agency for International Development........................................... 46

U. S. Coast Guard............................................................................................... 53

U.S. Department of Agriculture................................................................... 64

Department of Defense - Navy.................................................................... 72

Department of Defense - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.................... 80

Department of State........................................................................................ 85

Environmental Protection Agency............................................................. 88

National Aeronautics & Space Administration....................................... 98

National Science Foundation.......................................................................106

Acronyms............................................................................................................110
Cover Photo - Corals of the Dendrophylliidae family, Turbinaria genus, on the Tokai Maru, 

 in Apra Harbor, Guam (David Burdick). 

Page 4 & 5 - Coral reef in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (David Burdick).

Page 6 - A shrimp (Rhynchocinetes sp.) on a colony of star coral, Montastrea faveolata, at East Bank, 

 Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (David Burdick).

Other photographs in this report were provided by respective agency staff .

Photo Credits
USCRTF Coral Profiles 7 

The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force

The United States Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) was established in 1998 by Presidential 

Executive Order 13089 to lead U.S. efforts to preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. Cochaired by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce though the National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the USCRTF includes leaders of 12 Federal agencies, 

seven U.S. states, territories, commonwealths, and three Freely Associated States. The USCRTF 

helps build partnerships, strategies, and support for on-the-ground action to conserve coral reefs.

Presidential Executive Order “13089: Coral Reef Protection” was issued to enhance the role of 

Federal agencies in the preservation and restoration of coral reef ecosystems. The Executive 

Order establishes a policy framework to guide Federal action and its impacts on coral reefs, and 

mandates that: 

(1) The Federal agencies utilize their programs and authorities to protect and enhance 

the conditions of U.S. coral reef ecosystems, and

(2) To the extent permitted by law, ensure that any actions they authorize, fund or carry 

out will not degrade the conditions of such ecosystems.

The USCRTF is responsible for overseeing implementation of the Executive Order, and 

developing and implementing coordinated efforts to map and monitor U.S. coral reefs; research 

the causes of, and solutions to coral reef decline; reduce and mitigate coral reef degradation 

from pollution, over-fishing and other causes; and implement strategies to promote conservation 

and sustainable use of coral reefs internationally.

In 2000, the USCRTF adopted the National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs (National 

Action Plan), the first national blueprint for U.S. domestic and international action to address 

the growing coral reef crisis. The National Action Plan outlines 13 integrated conservation 

strategies within two fundamental themes to address the most pressing challenges facing reefs 

today. To help implement the National Action Plan, the USCRTF launched a variety of 

initiatives and provides a forum to support collaborative action of its members and partner 

organizations. In 2002, the USCRTF developed the U.S. Coral Reef National Action Strategy 

(National Action Strategy) to further implement the National Action Plan as called for in the 

Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (CRCA) (16 U.S.C. ß6401 et seq.). These documents 

provide the guiding framework for the priorities, strategies, and actions of the USCRTF and its 

members.

USCRTF Members

The USCRTF membership, as established in 1998, included members of 11 Federal agencies, 

which has since grown to include 12 Federal agencies, 7 U.S. states, territories, 

commonwealths, and 3 Freely Associated States. 

Recognizing that coral reef ecosystems are largely in state and territorial waters, one of the first 

actions the USCRTF took in 1999 was to invite the Governors of American Samoa, the 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the 

U.S. Virgin Islands to join the USCRTF as full members and partners. 
 

USCRTF Coral Profiles 8 

In 2000, the Presidents of the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, 

the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau were invited to participate in the 

USCRTF as non voting members. 

Co-Chairs: 

Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 

Department of the Interior (DOI) 

Federal Agency Members 

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) 

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

Department of Defense (DOD) 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard 

Department of Justice (DOJ) 

Department of State (DOS) 

Department of Transportation (DOT) 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) 

National Science Foundation (NSF) 

State and Territories Members 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 

State of Florida 

State of Hawaii 

Territory of Guam 

Territory of American Samoa 

Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands 

Freely Associated States 

Federated States of Micronesia 

Republic of the Marshall Islands 

Republic of Palau 

USCRTF Renewed Call to Action 

At the 2008 USCRTF meeting in Kona, Hawaii, the USCRTF celebrated its 10-year anniversary 

and issued a renewed call to action to conserve and protect coral reefs, noting the severity of the 

threats facing coral reefs and the immediate need to take action: 

It is clear that the USCRTF, with partners, must significantly increase our collective effort to 

address the factors over which we can exercise control. The USCRTF must take immediate 

action to respond to these threats and, in turn, seek to sustain our coral reef ecosystems and the 

communities that depend upon them....

Science has demonstrated that reef communities can recover when they are protected and 

stressors are removed. Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the 

meantime, precious time for coral reef ecosystems can be secured through increased protection 

from land and marine pollution, unsustainable fishing, development, and other stressors, all of 

which we know can damage coral health. The time to act is now.
USCRTF Coral Profiles 9 

Decision Items

The USCRTF works by consensus with all individuals providing input and expertise. USCRTF 

members address new topics and issues that are priority concerns for the long-term health and 

sustainability of coral reef ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. One 

mechanism by which this is accomplished is through the passage of resolutions. Resolutions 

define the issue or problem and then set out a plan of action. Any USCRTF or Steering 

Committee member can present resolutions for the USCRTF to consider at its biannual 

meetings. In the fall of 2008, the Steering Committee adopted new “Guidelines for preparing 

proposals for consideration by the USCRTF” that are intended to clarify the proposal and 

decision-making process and promote more efficient, effective and accountable action. For more 

information please visit www.coralreef.gov/resolutions. 

USCRTF Steering Committee 

The Steering Committee is comprised of one lead Point of Contact (POC) from each USCRTF 

member agency, state and territory, and the chairs of the working groups. Additional staff 

representatives participate as appropriate or as needed. For example, each of the participating 

DOI bureaus on the USCRTF has a staff representative, and additional regional staff participates 

from several of the Federal agency members. The Steering Committee is co-chaired by 

representatives of the Departments of Commerce and the Interior.

The Steering Committee serves as the primary work force for the USCRTF and oversees 

fulfillment of USCRTF action. The Steering Committee works closely with the USCRTF 

working groups and agency staff to fulfill a variety of duties as assigned by the USCRTF. The 

Steering Committee meets twice a year in person, monthly by conference call, and has a listerv 

that circulates information to members at any time. 

Working Groups

One way in which the USCRTF works to accomplish its mission and implement projects and 

activities is through the coordination of smaller, issue specific working groups. 

The following working groups were established to develop the National Action Plan to 

Conserve Coral Reefs, the first national blueprint for U.S. domestic and international action to 

address the growing coral reef crisis. These working groups compiled the state of knowledge 

and developed plans to support collaborative actions of their members and partner 

organizations. While no longer active, the working groups remain fully engaged in USCRTF 

activities. 

• Mapping and Information Working Group 

• Coastal Uses Working Group 

• Air and Water Quality Working Group 

• Ecosystem Science and Conservation Working Group 

• International Working Group 

The following working groups were established in response to a USCRTF Resolution, action 

item, or identified need of its members and partners:

• Coral Disease and Health Consortium (active)

• Education and Outreach Working Group (active) 

• Coral Spawning Working Group (active in the Pacific region) 
USCRTF Coral Profiles 10 

• Water Quality Working Group (active) 

• Mitigation Working Group (active in the Pacific region) 

• Aquaculture Working Group 

• Injury Response Tools Working Group (active) 

• Climate Change Working Group (active) 

USCRTF Resources

Implementation of the National Coral Reef Action Strategy 

Report to Congress

This document is the second report on implementation of the 

National Action Strategy submitted to Congress as required by the 

Coral Reef Conservation Act. The report highlights USCRTF 

activities and accomplishments from 2004 to 2006 with particular 

emphasis on collaborative efforts among USCRTF members and 

partner organizations. The report addresses each goal from the 

National Action Plan and National Action Strategy and charts annual 

funding by Federal agencies for activities directly related to the 

National Action Strategy. 

http://www.coris.noaa.gov/activities/reportcongress2008/

Governor Tauese P.F. Sunia Memorial Coral Reef Conservation Summer Scholarships

Since 2004, the Department of Interior's Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service and NOAA have hosted Sunia Scholars from the Pacific and Caribbean areas. This 

internship is available for students from Guam; the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 

Islands; Hawai‘i; American Samoa; Puerto Rico; the U.S. Virgin Islands; the Freely Associated 

States of Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

This award is intended to continue the Governor’s legacy by providing an outstanding college or 

university student the opportunity to develop professional coral reef management skills to be 

applied in his or her local jurisdiction. This scholarship provides students a unique opportunity 

to gain valuable, professionally formative experience in coral reef conservation policy and 

management while also contributing to the overall efforts of the hosting agency and the 

USCRTF. For additional information, contact coralreefweb@noaa.gov.
NOAA CRCP

USCRTF Coral Profiles 11 

NOAA Coral Reef Conservation 

Program The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coral 

Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) is a national, science-based 

organization that supports effective management and sound science to 

protect, sustain and restore coral reef ecosystems. It was established in 2000 to help fulfill 

NOAA’s responsibilities to preserve, protect and restore coral reefs from the Coral Reef 

Conservation Act (CRCA), Presidential Executive Order 13089 on Coral Reef Protection and 

other mandates.

Since 2000, the CRCP has been responsible for program planning, execution and evaluation 

including management of annual appropriations, which amount to about $27 million. To address 

these mandates, the CRCP has invested in the application of a range of tools and activities by 

NOAA and other organizations to 1) increase our understanding of coral reef ecosystems, 2) 

reduce reef threats, and 3) increase management effectiveness at local, state/territory, regional, 

national and international levels. 

National Coral Reef Action Strategy

CRCP, as mandated by the Coral Reef Conservation Act, led the development and publication 

of the National Strategy in cooperation with the USCRTF. The National Strategy was designed 

as an implementation plan for the U.S. National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs that was 

adopted by the USCRTF in 2000 as a comprehensive blueprint for U.S. action to conserve coral 

reefs. Activities by the CRCP include: 

(1) mapping, monitoring, assessment, restoration, and scientific research that benefit the 

understanding, sustainable use, and long-term conservation of coral reefs and coral reef 

ecosystems;

(2) enhancing public awareness, education, understanding, and appreciation of coral reefs 

and coral reef ecosystems;

(3) providing assistance to States in removing abandoned fishing gear, marine debris, and 

abandoned vessels from coral reefs to conserve living marine resources; and

(4) cooperative conservation and management of coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems 

with local, regional, or international programs and partners. 

Authorities and Mandates

There are three primary mandates that guide implementation of the CRCP: (1) the Coral Reef 

Conservation Act of 2000 (CRCA)(16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq. December 2000), (2) Executive 

Order 13089 on Coral Reef Protection (1998), and 3) the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries 

Conservation and Restoration Act. The mandates and requirements for each of these are 

described below, as well as other drivers. NOAA has a variety of other mandates for science 

and/or management action related to coral reef ecosystems including: Protected species 

management (Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act) Coastal Zone 

management (Coastal Zone Management Act) National Marine Sanctuaries management 

(National Marine Sanctuaries Act). A summary of three primary mandates is offered below. 
NOAA CRCP

USCRTF Coral Profiles 12 

Coral Reef Conservation Act (CRCA)

The CRCA of 2000 authorized the Secretary of Commerce to publish a National Coral Reef 

Action Strategy (National Strategy) and establish a national program, grants program and 

conservation fund to fulfill the following purposes: 

(1) to preserve, sustain, and restore the condition of coral reef ecosystems; 

(2) to promote the wise management and sustainable use of coral reef ecosystems to benefit 

local communities and the Nation; 

(3) to develop sound scientific information on the condition of coral reef ecosystems and the 

threats to such ecosystems; 

(4) to assist in the preservation of coral reefs by supporting conservation programs, including 

projects that involve affected local communities and nongovernmental organizations; 

(5) to provide financial resources for those programs and projects; and 

(6) to establish a formal mechanism for collecting and allocating monetary donations from the 

private sector to be used for coral reef conservation projects. 

Reauthorization of the CRCA - During 2004-2008, the CRCP has assessed issues and needs to 

possibly address in reauthorization of the CRCA. As a result, the Bush Administration 

submitted a proposal to reauthorize the CRCA in May 2007 that included significant changes 

and new authorities to strengthen NOAA’s abilities to preserve, protect and restore coral reef 

ecosystems. Among the key amendments found in the CRCA reauthorization were: 

- Agreements and Partnership: Facilitate existing and new partnerships with other agencies, 

governments and organizations to help protect and restore coral reef ecosystems, including 

increased collaboration with international partners.

- Programmatic Expansion: Broaden the scope of NOAA’s programmatic authority to better 

allow the agency to address ongoing and emerging threats to coral reefs such as coral disease 

and bleaching, and to provide support for related management challenges. 

- DOI Authority: Enhance DOI’s ability to provide technical assistance to states and territories 

to carry out their research and management objectives by amending several existing general 

authorities to specify that they apply to coral reefs and provides express authority for grants and 

technical assistance to the territories.

- Emergency Response: Authorizes NOAA to provide assistance to local government agencies 

during disaster-related events that impact coral reef ecosystems. It also mandates for the 

allocation of funds for emergency response and restoration. 

- Liability: Those who damage coral reef ecosystem are liable for the cost of response. 

- Enforcement: Allows for using civil administrative and judicial penalties, and for the denial or 

revocation of permits issued, as well as criminal and civic forfeiture.

Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act is the primary law 

governing marine fisheries management in United States Federal waters. The Act was first 

enacted in 1976 and amended in 1996. Most notably, the Magnuson-Stevens Act aided in the 

development of the domestic fishing industry by phasing out foreign fishing. To manage the 

fisheries and promote conservation, the Act created eight regional fishery management councils. 

The 1996 amendments focused on rebuilding overfished fisheries, protecting essential fish 

habitat, and reducing bycatch. 
NOAA CRCP

USCRTF Coral Profiles 13 

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006, 

(MSRA), mandates the use of annual catch limits and accountability to end overfishing, and 

calls for increased international cooperation. Additionally, MSRA provides NOAA science and 

management authorities related to deep-sea coral communities. The MSRA directs the Secretary 

of Commerce, in consultation with appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils, and in 

coordination with other Federal agencies and educational institutions, to establish a Deep-Sea 

Coral Research and Technology Program. MSRA also authorizes the councils to designate 

zones to protect deep-sea corals from damage caused by fishing gear. 

CRCP Roadmap

In 2008, in response to an external review of the program, the CRCP produced a “Roadmap for 

the Future,” listing activities and objectives for the program through 2015. The Roadmap 

outlines seven principles to help guide decision-making regarding the program’s activities and 

funding: 

1. Addressing coral reef management needs based on sound science

2. Using an ecosystem-level approach to coral reef conservation, including human aspects 

3. Forming strong partnerships to implement the mission of the CRCP 

4. Leveraging of non-CRCP resources will be instrumental in achieving program objectives 

5. Adopting measurable objectives will be included and tracked for all CRCP-funded 

activities

6. Implementing clear and transparent decision-making processes, including those 

involving spend plans 

7. Focusing Program funding to reflect CRCP priorities

To more effectively target resources available, the CRCP has shifted focus to emphasize efforts 

on understanding and addressing the top three global threats to coral reef ecosystems: 

- Fishing impacts 

- Land-based sources of pollution 

- Climate change 

The Program is also expanding its international presence by becoming more actively involved in 

coral conservation efforts in the Pacific, the Coral Triangle, and the Caribbean. 

Programs & Projects

National Program 

The National Program provides resources, tools and services to coral reef managers, scientists 

and communities via NOAA offices to address the goals of the Coral Reef National Action 

Strategy. While collaboration with non-NOAA entities on implementation of activities funded 

by the CRCP’s National Program is highly encouraged, all funds for these activities are 

managed by NOAA Offices. The National Program also includes the Secretariat of the 

USCRTF. 
NOAA CRCP

USCRTF Coral Profiles 14 

Program Manager

NOS

NCCOS

OR&R

NMSP

IPO

CSC

OCS

SPO

OCRM

NMFS

S&T

SEFSC

PIFSC

SERO

PIRO

OHC

OPR

OSF

OLE

OAR

NURP

AOML

EPP

Sea 

Grant

NESDIS

NODC

NGDC

STAR

OSDPD

National 

Program

Line Office Coordinators

Grant 

Coordinators

Non-NOAA

Grantees

Grants Fund

Fund 

Coordinators

Non-NOAA

Grantees

Projects (Partners)

Products/Outcomes

Senior Management Council

National Ocean Service National Marine

Fisheries Service

Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Research

National Env Satellite 

Data & Information Svc

Program Coordination Team

NOS NMFS OAR NESDIS

Coral Reef 

Conservation 

Grant Program

Coral Reef 

Conservation 

Fund

(National Fish 

and Wildlife 

Foundation)

Organizational structure

The CRCP is a cross-NOAA, matrix-structured organization that involves participants from four 

of NOAA’s Line Offices. This unique structure has allowed the CRCP to utilize partners, 

expertise and capacity of 25 offices across multiple levels of the NOAA Line Office 

organization. 

 
NOAA CRCP

USCRTF Coral Profiles 15 

Coral Reef Conservation Grants Program

The Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 established the Coral Reef Conservation Grant 

Program, through which the CRCP makes available matching grants or cooperative agreements 

to government agencies, non-government organizations and academic institutions for coral reef 

conservation activities consistent with the purposes of the Act. CRCP annual appropriations are 

distributed through the Grants Program. Funds are awarded under the following six categories: 

• State and Territory Coral Reef Ecosystem Management

• State and Territory Coral Reef Ecosystem and Monitoring 

• Coral Reef Ecosystem Research 

• Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans 

• General Coral Reef Conservation 

• International Coral Reef Conservation 

Coral Reef Conservation Fund

This Fund is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to help build 

public-private partnerships to reduce and prevent degradation of coral reefs and associated reef 

habitats (e.g. seagrass beds, mangroves, etc.). The Fund received approximately $900,000 from 

the CRCP in Fiscal Year 2008 and leveraged over $2 million in non-Federal resources. 

Coral Reef Research Institutes

CRCP includes three Coral Reef Research Institutes: the Caribbean Coral Reef Institute, the

Hawai`i Coral Reef Initiative Research Program, and the National Coral Reef Institute. These 

are congressionally-directed programs, administered and managed by NOAA’s Center for 

Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR). Although these Institutes are associated with the 

CRCP, their funding comes separately from the Program’s appropriations. CRCP conducts 

collaborative consultation on an annual basis to help advice priority- and direction- setting for 

these key partners. 

Resources Available

Tools & Data

Coral Reef Watch

The mission of NOAA's Coral Reef Watch Program is to utilize remote sensing and in-situ tools 

for near real-time and long term monitoring, modeling and reporting of physical environmental 

conditions of coral reef ecosystems. Coral Reef Watch aims to assist in the management, study 

and assessment of impacts of environmental change on coral reef ecosystems. With the 

capability of providing synoptic views of the global oceans in near-real-time and the ability to 

monitor remote reef areas previously known only to wildlife, satellite remote sensing has 

become a key tool for coral reef managers and scientists. As early as 1997, NOAA's NESDIS 

began producing near-real-time, Web-accessible, satellite-derived Sea Surface Temperature 

(SST) products to monitor conditions conducive to coral bleaching from thermal stress around 

the globe. Recently, most of its key products, including SST anomalies, bleaching HotSpot 

anomalies, Degree Heating Weeks, and Tropical Ocean Coral Bleaching Indices have become 

"operational" products after successfully providing early warnings of coral bleaching to the 

global coral reef community as "experimental" products for several years. For more information 

and to access these products go to: http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html
NOAA CRCP

USCRTF Coral Profiles 16 

Coral Reef Information System (CoRIS)

Acting on recommendations of the USCRTF, in 2002, NOAA created the Coral Reef 

Information System (CoRIS) to allow the public to access to an array of diverse scientific data 

on coral reef ecosystems and new information products. CoRIS is a web-based information 

system that functions as a portal to products from coral reef research and management activities 

funded by and/or conducted in partnership with NOAA. Activities include coral reef mapping, 

monitoring, and assessment; natural and socioeconomic research and modeling; outreach and 

education; and management and stewardship. CoRIS functions as an archive through the NOAA 

National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) to preserve coral reef data and project metadata, 

while offering a variety of search tools to assist users in the discovery of this information.

http://www.coris.noaa.gov/

Training/Workshops 

Bleaching Tools Workshop for Managers – a four-day hands-on workshop to assist mangers 

help build coral reef resiliency. 

Coral Reef Manager Social Capacity Building – training designed to help managers 

systematically evaluate and monitor reef-society connections. 

Funding Opportunities 

Coral Reef Ecosystems Studies (CRES) 

CRES is sponsored by NOAA, and solicits proposals for projects addressing the causes of 

regional declines in coral abundance and degradation of coral ecosystems. The intent of this 

program is to provide timely and high-quality scientific results for use in developing alternative 

management strategies to restore and protect coral reef ecosystems.

http://ccmaserver.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coralreef/cres.html

Both Coral Reef Conservation Grants Program and Coral Reef Conservation Fund (described 

earlier) also provide mechanisms to fund coral reef-related work.

Fellowships Offered 

NOAA Coral Reef Management Fellow Program 

The Coral Reef Management Fellowship was established to respond to a need for additional 

coral reef management capacity and capability in the U.S. Flag Pacific and Caribbean Islands. 

The fellowship program provides highly qualified recent graduates with professional, on-the-job 

education and training on island-level coral reef management and has provided policy and 

management support to the U.S. jurisdictions for coral reef issues. Fellows are placed every 

other year for two years in each of the U.S. state and territory insular areas to work on specific 

projects and activities determined by each island’s lead coral reef management agency. 

http://www.coralreef.noaa.gov/fellowship.html 

Coral Publications, Products and Documents

The CRCP has supported a wide range of activities that produced many important products and 

services. Some recent highlights include: 
NOAA CRCP

USCRTF Coral Profiles 17 

A Reef Manager’s Guide to Coral Bleaching: The Reef Manager’s Guide 

provides information on the causes and consequences of coral bleaching, and 

management strategies to help local and regional reef managers reduce this 

threat to coral reef ecosystems. Produced by the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Australian Great Barrier Reef 

Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), and the International Union for the 

Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Reef Manager’s Guide includes 

contributions from over 50 experts in coral bleaching and coral reef 

management from 30 organizations. 

http://www.coris.noaa.gov/activities/reef_managers_guide/ 

Coral Reef Educational Resources: This compilation of resources 

includes lesson plans for grades 3-12, student activities, teachers' guides, 

videos, posters and brochures and was created by the USCRTF. It can be 

accessed online or by ordering a free CD. Topics covered include coral reef 

biology and ecology as well as ideas on how to engage and involve 

children in the conservation of these precious natural resources.

http://www.coralreef.noaa.gov/outreach/resourcecd08/welcome.html

The State of the Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific 

Freely Associated States: 2008: A comprehensive assessment of all 

coral reef ecosystems in US states, jurisdictions and Freely Associated 

States. This report to Congress contains maps, a national summary, 

threats and conservation efforts. The 569-page report was structured to 

provide information according to the primary threats, topics, and goals 

outlined in the National Coral Reef Action Strategy.

http://ccmaserver.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coralreef/coral2008/welcome.html

Corals from Outer to Inner Space 

The Environmental Visualization Laboratory has 

produced a new Science on a Sphere exhibit to 

supplement NOAA’s outreach efforts surrounding the 

International Year of the Reef. Science on a Sphere ® 

is a room-sized, global display system that uses 

computers and video projectors to display planetary 

data onto a six foot diameter sphere, analogous to a 

giant animated globe. Researchers at NOAA developed 

Science On a Sphere® as an educational tool to help 

illustrate Earth System science to people of all ages. 

The 8 minute long, fully narrated piece includes 

information on coral reef ecology, satellite monitoring of reefs, reef stressors, and actions being 

taken to improve reef health. http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/education/animations/Coral_SOS.wmv 
DOI

USCRTF Coral Profiles 18 

Department of the Interior 

The mission of the Department of the Interior (DOI) is to protect and provide access to our 

Nation's natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes and 

our commitments to island communities.

As the Nation’s principal conservation agency, DOI protects coral reefs, tropical islands, and 

adjacent submerged ecosystems stretching halfway across the globe. DOI’s holdings include 

some of the healthiest and most endangered coral reefs in the world. DOI also conducts 

pioneering research on coral reefs and supports management and protection of coral reefs in 

U.S-affiliated islands. To access a brief description of DOI’s coral stewardship online, please 

view the DOI coral brochure at http://www.doi.gov/initiatives/ocean.html. 

Organizational Structure

DOI is a large, decentralized agency with over 67,000 employees and 236,000 volunteers 

located at approximately 2,400 operating locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. 

territories, and freely associated states. 

DOI’s coral responsibilities are carried out by: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the 

Minerals Management Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service, and 

the Office of Insular Affairs. For more information about each specific roles and contributions 

to DOI’s overall coral responsibilities, please read their individual coral profiles.
FWS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 19 

Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is the primary government agency 

dedicated to the conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish, wildlife 

and plants, and their habitats. It is the only agency in the Federal government whose primary 

responsibility is management of these important natural resources for the American public. The 

FWS fulfills these and other statutory responsibilities through a diverse array of programs, 

activities, and offices that function to:

• Protect and recover threatened and endangered species

• Monitor and manage migratory birds

• Restore nationally significant fisheries

• Enforce Federal wildlife laws and regulate international wildlife trade

• Conserve and restore wildlife habitat such as wetlands

• Help foreign governments conserve wildlife through international conservation 

efforts

• Distribute funds to States, territories and tribes for fish and wildlife conservation 

projects

• Manage National Wildlife Refuges guided by a “wildlife first” mandate of the 

National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act of 1966

The FWS coral reef responsibilities include managing the resources through habitat and species 

conservation, restoration, and recovery; supporting sound management through inventory and 

monitoring, and management-directed research; facilitating compatible public use, promoting 

environmental education, and ensuring enforcement. The management goals and on-the-ground 

needs include conservation of marine and terrestrial habitats and species, restoring degraded 

habitats, recovering imperiled species, marine debris removal, grounded and abandoned vessel 

removal, invasive and alien species prevention and eradication, management of public use 

(including fishing), enhancing opportunities to connect children and other public with nature, 

educating and interpreting the environment, and responding to affects of climate change. 

The FWS manages the 147 million acre National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), the nation’s 

preeminent system of public lands and waters devoted to protection and conservation of fish and 

wildlife and their habitats. The NWRS includes 552 refuges that receive over 40 million visitors 

each year who participate in hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, 

environmental education and interpretation, and other outdoor recreation activities. The FWS’s 

Migratory Bird program oversees conservation of over 400 bird species through national 

programs and international treaties. Many of the nation’s migratory seabirds, wading birds, and 

shorebirds are inextricably dependent upon coral reef ecosystems for feeding, nesting, and 

resting.

Authorities, Mandates and International Agreements 

The FWS is responsible for implementing and enforcing some of our Nation’s most important 

environmental laws, such as the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Clean 

Water Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and Marine Mammal Protection Act. The 

NWRS “wildlife first” mandate is supported mainly through the National Wildlife Refuge 
FWS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 20 

System Administration Act of 1966 as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System 

Improvement Act of 1997. The FWS mandate to protect coral reefs was strengthened by 

Executive Order 13089, “Coral Reef Protection” and Executive Order 13158, “Marine Protected 

Areas” and Executive Order 13366, “Committee on Ocean Policy.” The FWS shares 

responsibility with other government entities for the administration of many of these laws that 

require an ecosystem approach to wildlife conservation. 

CITES Enforcement

The FWS has a 30-year history of implementing the Convention on International Trade in 

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement between 

governments that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants 

does not threaten their survival. The international trade in corals has contributed to the decline 

in coral reef ecosystems. Among the approximately 35,000 species protected by CITES, roughly 

224 are associated with coral reef ecosystems including fish, invertebrates, and a number of 

species of stony corals. The FWS has a system of 38 ports to enforce CITES and monitor the 

import and export of wildlife, including parts and products. Generally all wildlife imported into 

or exported from the U.S. for any purpose must be declared to the FWS and cleared prior to 

release by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or prior to consignment for export. These efforts 

have been instrumental at defending against over-exploitation of coral reef resources both 

within the U.S. and abroad. 

Organizational Structure 

The FWS is a bureau within the DOI and is headed by a Director and two Deputy Directors. The 

FWS employees 8,704 full-time employees and hosts thousands of volunteers located at 

facilities across the country. The Service utilizes a diverse and largely decentralized 

organization to meet its conservation and management responsibilities. The FWS is organized 

nationally into 9 regional offices, including the Washington, D.C. Headquarters office located in 

Arlington, Virginia, and nearly 700 field offices. 

Marine National Monuments

The FWS co-manages with NOAA and the State of Hawai`i, 

the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (MNM).

In 2006, President Bush issued Presidential Proclamation 8031 

designating this 1,200 mile stretch of the Northwest Hawaiian 

Islands as a National Monument. The 89 million acre 

monument includes the Midway Atoll NWR and the 100 yearold Hawaiian Islands NWR which the FWS continues to 

manage as refuges. In 2008, after extensive public input, the co-managers released a draft of the 

Monument Management Plan. 

In January 2009, President Bush created three additional Marine National Monuments in the 

Pacific via Presidential Proclamations 8335, 8336, and 8337. The President assigned 

management responsibilities of the monuments to the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation 

with the Secretary of Commerce. On January 16, 2009, Secretary of the Interior Kempthorne 

issued Secretarial Order 3284 delegating his responsibilities to the FWS. 
FWS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 21 

The Pacific Remote Islands MNM (PRIMNM) includes the lands and surrounding submerged 

areas out to 50 nm of six existing NWRs (Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll, Johnston Island, and 

Howland, Jarvis and Baker Islands) and Wake Island. These NWRs were expanded to include 

the marine areas out to 12 nm. The waters from 12 and 50 nm, although not included as part of 

the refuges, will be off-limits to all commercial fishing while recreational, traditional, and 

research fishery-related activities will be managed by NOAA. Wake Island will become a new 

unit of the NWRS with the same boundaries and authorities as the other units of PRIMNM. 

Rose Atoll MNM includes the 20 acres of emergent lands and the 1600 acre lagoon of Rose 

Atoll NWR and the waters out to 50 nm from mean low water of the surrounding reef. FWS had 

been managing Rose Atoll NWR out to 3 nm as a de facto refuge, jointly with NOAA. NOAA is 

responsible for the fishery-related activities in the surrounding waters while the FWS retains 

authority over the existing refuge areas. The government of American Samoa is a cooperating 

agency in the monument. 

The Marianas Trench MNM, within the waters of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern 

Mariana Islands, includes three units: the Trench Unit, which includes over 50 million acres of 

submerged lands around the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on earth; the Volcanic Unit, a 

series of active undersea volcanoes and thermal vents of significant scientific interest; and the 

Islands Unit, the waters surrounding the three northernmost islands in the chain. The Trench and 

Volcanic Units are managed as new units of the NWRS; however, the overlying waters are not 

included in the monument. The Islands Unit includes the waters as a no commercial fishing 

zone that will be managed by FWS but not as a unit of the NWRS. 

 

The FWS is responsible for the permitting of scientific research within these three new 

monuments and the also the management of the existing and new NWRs while NOAA is 

responsible for all fishery-related activities. Overall, these three new monument designations 

added approximately 54 million acres to the NWRS.

Coral Reef National Wildlife Refuges 

The NWRS includes some of the most visited as well as some of the most remote and pristine 

coral reef ecosystems. The coral reef refuges represent the most widespread collection of 

protected coral reefs under a single country’s jurisdiction. Many endangered and threatened 

species, including sea turtles and the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal, depend on the 

protected waters and adjacent beaches of the coral reef refuges for breeding and nesting habitat, 

feeding, and hauling out. 
FWS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 22 

List of Coral Reef Refuges of the National Wildlife Refuge System

National Wildlife 

Refuges 

Year 

Established

Emerged 

/Marine Area 

(acres)

Significant Features

Hawaiian Islands (Northwest 

Hawaiian Islands, includes 7 

islands)

1909 1,766 / 610,148

Haul-out and nesting beaches for sea turtles 

and Hawaiian monk seals (HMS), large 

colonies of seabirds.

Midway Atoll (Northwest 

Hawaiian Islands, 1100 mi 

NW of Honolulu)

1988 1,549 / 296,820

Sea turtles, HMS, nesting site for 18 species 

of seabirds, large operational airfield and port 

facilities serve as staging area for research.

Johnston Island

(550 mi SW of Honolulu) 1926 696 / 540,865

Only land area in over 800,000 square miles 

of ocean, >300 species of fish, important 

source of larvae for Hawaiian Islands.

Kingman Reef (Line Islands, 

1050 mi SW of Honolulu) 2001 3 / 483,702

Pristine highly diverse coral reef habitat, very 

high density of predators (inverted trophic 

web).

Palmyra Atoll (Line Islands, 

40 mi S of Kingman Reef) 2001 680 / 515,232

PARC research facilities, operational airfield, 

extensive shallow perimeter coral reef shelves, 

reef pools, sand flats, and protected lagoons.

Baker Island (Remote Pacific, 

20 miles N of the equator and 

1,600 mi SW of Honolulu)

1974 405 / 409,779

Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands are crests 

of ancient coral reefs on massive submerged 

volcanoes, extensively mined for bird guano 

mined in the 1900’s, vital nesting habitat for 

millions of seabirds (14 species), shallow 

reefs are fed by nutrient rich waters upwelling 

zones, unique under-investigated deep water 

coral communities, 98 species of coral, >300 

species of fish.

Howland Island (Remote 

Pacific, 30 mi N of Baker 

Island)

1974 455 / 410,544

Jarvis Island (Remote Pacific, 

18 miles S of the equator and 

1,300 mi S of Honolulu)

1974 1,086 / 428,767

Rose Atoll (American Samoa, 

180 miles E of Pago Pago at 

14° S Lat.)

1973

13 / 1,600

37,453 jointly 

managed

One of smallest atolls in the world, pink 

fringing reef caused by the dominance of 

coralline algae, home to millions of seabirds, 

Pisonia atoll forest, and giant clams.

Guam, Ritidian Point unit 

(northern point of the island 

of Guam)

1993 371 / 401

Over 90,000 visits a year, protects 371 acres 

of shallow coral reefs, home to the endangered 

Mariana fruit bat, Mariana crow, and the 

Serianthes nelsonii tree.

Key West (Florida Keys) 1908 2,019 / 206,289

Ecologically interconnected mangrove, 

seagrass, and coral reef ecosystems. Heavily 

visited.

Great White Heron (Florida 

Keys) 1938 6,501 / 186,287

Ecologically interconnected mangrove, 

seagrass, and coral reef ecosystems. Heavily 

visited. 

Navassa Island (Caribbean, 

35 mi W of Haiti) 1999 1,285 / 363,665

No beaches, most pristine coral reefs in 

region, over 240 species of fish, called

“Galapagos of the Caribbean.”

Wake Island 2009 1,821 / 493,694

One of most isolated atolls in the world,

immense diversity of endemic reef life with 

many yet to be identified, home to many fish 

and coral species not found in the Hawaiian 

Islands (81 coral, 190 fish).

 
FWS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 23 

Programs and Projects

Florida and the Caribbean 

Florida Keys Refuges 

FWS entered into an intra-agency agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency to 

provide financial support to the Water Quality Protection Program of the Florida Keys National 

Marine Sanctuary, which includes annual monitoring of coral reefs, water quality, and seagrass 

within the boundaries of the Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges. 

Navassa Island 

Navassa Island NWR was established in 1999 for the purpose of the protection of the island’s 

coral reef systems as well as of nesting seabirds and their habitat. The refuge consists of the 4.64 

km2

 island and the marine area out to 12 nm surrounding the island. Several visits to document 

and evaluate refuge resources have been conducted by the FWS since the refuge was 

established, the most recent being in December of 2008. NOAA, with participation by the FWS, 

conducted cruises in 2002, 2004 and 2006 to conduct underwater visual censuses of fish, habitat 

mapping, benthic community assessments (Miller et al., 2008), multi-beam bathymetry surveys, 

temperature profiles, and sampling for trophic analysis via stable isotopes (Piniak et al., 2006).

In addition, both FWS and NOAA have supported work by a Haitian non-governmental 

organization, the Foundation for the Protection of Marine Biodiversity, in the collection of 

information on fishing activities by Haitian fishermen as well as in providing education and 

outreach to the local fishing communities. Information from these NOAA cruises, work by the 

Foundation, and land based trips by FWS continue to provide valuable information about coral 

bleaching, impacts from tropical storms, coral disease, fishing pressure and techniques, and 

reduction in size and abundance of reef fishes.

Pacific

Midway Atoll NWR Marine Debris Coastal Monitoring Project 

One of the crucial management problems facing the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National 

Monument is marine debris including derelict fishing gear, a major threat to the marine 

mammals and sea turtles. For almost 20 years the Hawaiian Islands NWR and Midway Atoll 

NWR have coordinated an all-volunteer effort to collect and dispose of marine debris. These 

efforts were expanded in 2008 with collaboration between National Fish and Wildlife 

Foundation, NOAA, Dow Chemical, Friends of Midway, and the FWS. The objective of the 

project is to develop a statistically sound and biologically relevant marine debris monitoring 

protocol for Midway Atoll NWR that can serve as the basis for a long-term coastal monitoring 

program for the entire monument. The goal is to contribute to the scientific community's 

understanding of how to design marine debris monitoring protocols for these coastal 

ecosystems.

Education and Interpretation to Midway Visitors 

As the only site open for public visitation within Papahānaumokuākea, Midway Atoll NWR is 

the “window” to the Monument. In 2008, the FWS began welcoming back visitors to Midway to 
FWS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 24 

learn, first hand, about the unique natural, cultural, and historic resources of the Monument. 

Limited numbers of visitors including eco-tours, university students, veterans, and history 

enthusiasts are provided interpretive and educational opportunities through FWS’s revitalized 

visitor program at Midway.

Coral Reef Restoration and Protection of Rare Species at Pacific NWRs

The Pacific National Wildlife Refuge Complex launched coral reef monitoring in 1994 that 

expanded to all 10 Pacific coral reef refuges by 2000, as discussed below. These efforts helped 

to justify the removal of one shipwreck at Rose Atoll NWR, and document the need for removal 

of two additional shipwrecks at Palmyra Atoll NWR and Kingman Reef NWR. Moreover, 

monitoring has provided justification to restore marine habitats degraded by WWII military 

activities at Midway, Palmyra and Baker Island NWRs. Assessment and monitoring have also 

identified more that two dozen undescribed coral species, some of which may be rare enough to 

be afforded additional protection under the Endangered Species Act. 

Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program in the Pacific 

The FWS began establishment of permanent sites in 1999 at 17 reefs, islands and atolls where 

corals and other invertebrates are monitored over time. To date permanent monitoring sites have 

been established at all Pacific NWRs that protect coral reefs. Most of these sites were surveyed 

several times between 2001-2008. In 2000 and 2008, Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program 

(RAMP) cruises and other visits were organized to survey and monitor the Monument and 

Pacific Remote Island Areas in the Line and Phoenix Island groups and Johnston and Wake 

Atolls, including areas where military activities have continued since World War II. These 

efforts permitted scientists to evaluate conditions over time at 17 remote and largely uninhabited 

islands. First-time coral disease surveys were completed in 2004-2006 at Johnston, Baker, 

Howland, Jarvis Island and Kingman Reef and Palmyra to provide a basis against which to 

compare levels of disease prevalence in human-impacted coral reef environments. These 

quantitative assessments indicate a low mean overall prevalence of coral disease in the Pacific 

Remote Islands Refuge Complex, affecting between 0.01 and 2.8 percent of colonies. These 

values are comparable to the levels reported for the Northwest Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). To 

date the FWS initiated the effort with substantial support from NOAA, to survey 100 and 

resurvey all but 17 of the 100 permanent transects at the Pacific Remote National Wildlife 

Refuges and Papahānaumokuākea MNM through December 2008. 

Palmyra Atoll Research Consortium 

Representing one of the world’s most pristine coral reefs, 

Palmyra Atoll NWR has been described as “a crown jewel 

of the Central Pacific”. Its diverse marine habitats include 

steeply slopping coral reef walls, extensive and shallow 

perimeter coral reef shelves, reef pools, sand flats, and 

protected lagoons. Although the marine habitat has been 

impacted by previous military activities, minimal 

anthropogenic disturbances and the lack of heavy fishing activities produced a relative pristine 

ecosystem. Palmyra’s submerged coral reefs support twice the number of coral species found in 

the Caribbean and Hawai`i and three times as many coral species as the Florida Keys. Palmyra’s 

reefs look substantially different from all others in the equatorial Pacific, containing food webs 

dominated by an abundance of top predators, which have rapidly declined elsewhere. FWS, in 

conjunction with several NGOs, Government and University partners, formed the Palmyra Atoll 
FWS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 25 

Research Consortium (PARC) in July 2004. With the recent addition of a privately funded $1.5 

million research station, Palmyra has a new future as a world-class site for scientific study. This 

group of scientists is researching various international environmental coral reef issues ranging 

from climate change to invasive species. In 2008, the FWS facilitated a meeting of the PARC in 

San Francisco, CA. For more information on PARC visit: http://www.palmyraresearch.org/. 

Documentary at Kingman Reef NWR 

Kingman Reef NWR was the subject of a National Geographic expedition (July 2008) and will 

also be the subject, together with Palmyra Atoll NWR, of a BBC documentary with the working 

title “Rising Lands” to be released in spring 2009. FWS biologists participated in both projects.

Thousands of photos taken during these and earlier expeditions are part of a photographic 

library established at the Hawai`i-Pacific National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Honolulu. 

Marine Protected Areas

The FWS has worked with local partners in Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 

to increase capacity for managing and enforcing MPAs. In the FSM, the FWS provided 

technical assistance for community-based planning and management of MPAs, which included 

creating management plans, training community stewards, and delineating and marking 

boundaries. And in Palau, the FWS funded a project to assist the local community of Hatohobei 

State to delineate and manage an existing 259,000 square meter MPA at Helen Reef Atoll. 

Funds will be used to help the community finalize and mark the protected area and to assist 

them in management, monitoring, and educational activities. 

Pacific Region Interagency Working Group (PRIWG) for Coral Reef Mitigation 

The FWS, NOAA, EPA, USACE, Navy, Hawai‘i, Guam, CNMI, and American Samoa 

participate as members of PRIWG for Coral Reef Mitigation. This working group was formed in 

response to a resolution of the USCRTF and is intended to improve the performance of resource 

agencies and share mitigation and restoration tools, techniques, and lessons learned. 

Land Based Sources of Pollution 

FWS has partnered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and local CNMI 

agencies to initiate a project to reduce sediment flow to coral reefs by instituting traffic 

restrictions and planting native vegetation at the end of a beach access road. During heavy rains, 

the road channeled stormwater runoff and sediment onto coral reefs at Obyan Beach, Saipan, 

smothering reefs and altering sea turtle habitat. The plan calls for planting 11 acres (44,515 

square meters) of critically eroding area with trees and shrubs, adding mulch, and rerouting foot 

traffic, and implementing bioengineering techniques and other management measures. 

International Projects

FWS coral reef scientists assisted in a coral reef inventory resurvey at Kosrae in July 2006; 

World Heritage workshops at Kiribati in 2003; and at all four states in the FSM in July 2007. 

They conducted field surveys at Ailinginae Atoll in the Marshall Islands in 2002 and 2006, and 

participated in a World Heritage nomination workshop in Honolulu in December 2008 for 

Ailinginae Atoll in the Marshall Islands, and have provided input to World Heritage 

nominations for the Kiribati Phoenix Islands, Marshall Islands and the NWHI.
FWS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 26 

Resources Available 

Funding Opportunities

Below is a brief overview of funding available. For more information, please visit 

www.fws.gov/grants. 

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program 

The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act of 1990 was established by 

Title III of P.L. 101-646. Under the Program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides 

matching grants to States for acquisition, restoration, management or enhancement of coastal 

wetlands. 

http://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants/

Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program

This program was established in 1987 with a core group of biologists and a small budget for onthe-ground wetland restoration projects on private lands. The Partners Program provides 

technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Tribes who are willing to work with 

FWS and other partners on a voluntary basis to help meet the habitat needs of our Federal Trust 

Species. The Partners Program can assist with projects in all habitat types which conserve or 

restore native vegetation, hydrology, and soils associated with imperiled ecosystems such as 

longleaf pine, bottomland hardwoods, tropical forests, native prairies, marshes, rivers and 

streams, or otherwise provide an important habitat requisite for a rare, declining or protected 

species. http://www.fws.gov/partners/?viewPage=home

Endangered Species Conservation Funds Grants

Provides financial assistance to states and territories to participate in a wide array of voluntary 

conservation projects for candidate, proposed and listed species. 

http://www.fws.gov/endangered/grants/section6/index.htm
MMS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 27 

Minerals Management Service (DOI)

The mission of the Minerals Management Service (MMS) is to manage the 

ocean energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf and Federal and Indian 

mineral revenues to enhance public and trust benefits, promote responsible use, and realize fair 

value. 

The MMS is the Federal agency that manages the nation's natural gas, oil, alternative energy and 

other offshore mineral resources. The agency also collects, accounts for and disburses more than 

$8 billion per year in revenues from Federal offshore mineral leases and from onshore mineral 

leases on Federal and Indian lands. The program is national in scope and is headquartered in 

Washington, D.C. 

As stewards of the Federal offshore lands known as the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), the 

Minerals Management Service is responsible for balancing the Nation’s search for energy and 

marine minerals while protecting the human, marine and coastal environments. MMS 

environmental programs provide information necessary to support sound decisions regarding 

offshore energy and non-energy activities. The MMS Environmental Studies Program supports 

all coral related research.

Authorities and Mandates

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act as amended in 1978 (OCSLAA) and the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) provide the agency’s primary mandate. Providing 

the information needed for balanced decision making is an objective of both laws. Section 18 of 

the OCSLAA, the foundation for Department of the Interior OCS activities, mandates that 

management of the OCS shall consider the “economic, social, and environmental values of the 

renewable and nonrenewable resources contained in the Outer Continental Shelf, and the 

potential impact of oil and gas exploration on other resource values of the marine, coastal, and 

human environments” (43 USC 1344). 

In 1982, Congress passed the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act which mandates 

protection of the environment and conservation of Federal lands in the course of building oil and 

gas facilities. The Secretary of the Interior designated the MMS as the administrative agency 

responsible for the mineral leasing of submerged OCS lands and for the supervision of offshore 

operations after lease issuance.

Under a new mandate of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the MMS is also developing an 

alternative energy program that will make renewable energy such as wind, wave, and ocean 

current energy resources on the OCS available for lease and possible development. 

Organizational Structure 

The MMS is comprised of two major components: Offshore Energy and Minerals Management 

(OEMM) and Minerals Revenue Management. The OEMM manages the petroleum, alternative 

energy, and non-energy mineral resources on the OCS, and is comprised of a Headquarters in 

Washington, D.C. and Herndon, VA and three regions: Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific.
MMS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 28 

The Environmental Studies Program, which manages all aspects of MMS’ marine, coastal, and 

socioeconomic research including coral projects, is part of OEMM. The Minerals Revenue 

Management (MRM) collects, accounts for, and disburses revenues from Federal offshore 

mineral leases and from onshore mineral leases on Federal and Indian lands.

Programs and Projects 

Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Projects

MMS programs in the Gulf of Mexico include research and monitoring of coral reefs in the 

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, investigation of coral growth on oil and gas 

structures, research on deep-sea cold water corals, and the Rigs to Reef Program, ensuring the 

conservation of coral reef resources on the OCS. 

Flower Garden Banks

Long-term monitoring continues in the coral-rich East 

and West Flower Garden Banks National Marine 

Sanctuary (FGBNMS), located in the Gulf of Mexico 

about 115 miles off the coast of Texas, in water 

depths of 18 to 49 meters (the flanks of the banks 

extend to depths up to 150 m including additional 

hard bottom mesophotic coral communities). The 

coral reef ecosystem of the Flower Garden Banks has 

been well characterized by studies sponsored by the 

MMS since the 1970s. This monitoring effort was 

designed to assess the health of the coral reefs, evaluate changes in coral population levels, 

measure coral and algae cover and growth rates, and investigate other community 

characteristics. The goal of the program is to address concerns related to both gradual and 

punctuated degradation of these unique offshore ecosystems. Such data are useful in assessing 

the impacts of industrial activities, as well as their value to resource management. 

Monitoring results during the 2004-2006 period continue to highlight the relative health of these 

reefs. The occurrences of disease and bleaching were low from 0 to 0.50 percent, and the living 

coral cover continues to be approximately 57 percent. This high percent live cover is 

exceptional in comparison with other coral ecosystems in the Atlantic and Caribbean. For more 

information please visit: 

http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/flow_gar/flowgard.html

The current contract co-funded by MMS and NOAA for the long-term monitoring project at the 

East and West Flower Garden Banks will be coming to an end in June of 2009. This important 

monitoring project will be renewed and continued into the future. Plans are in progress to shift 

the responsibility for field sampling and data analysis from contractors to staff within the 

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. The Sanctuary office intends to bring in new 

employees that will focus on this ongoing monitoring effort. The MMS will continue to partner 

with NOAA and participate in field activities. Monitoring reports will be published as both 

MMS and NOAA technical documents in the future.
MMS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 29 

Corals on Man-made Offshore Structures

At present, there are approximately 4,000 oil and gas platforms operating in the northern Gulf of 

Mexico (GOM), most of them occurring offshore from Louisiana and Texas, which shelf is 

comprised almost entirely of soft sediment. The platforms provide hard substratum, reaching 

through shallow water, where none exists or has existed for tens of thousands of years. They 

have provided new habitat for a wide variety of epibenthic fauna and flora, extending from the 

surface to a depth of hundreds of meters. Prior to the introduction of platforms, hard substratum 

was limited to scattered banks and shoals, mostly in deep water. Hard-bottom organisms were 

restricted to those banks. Platforms represent a novel development for the GOM and have 

provided thousands of artificial islands, affording suitable substratum for settlement of shallowwater marine organisms where, otherwise, none would be possible. Early MMS studies reported 

the growth of hermatypic (reef-building) scleractinian corals on the 

platforms in the GOM. This has been confirmed through more recent 

MMS studies and has been expanded to confirm the presence of both 

hermatypic and ahermatypic scleractinian corals on the platforms. MMS 

studies have demonstrated that oil and gas platforms within a 65 km 

radius of the Flower Garden Banks (FGB) not only possess thriving 

benthic communities, they also possess coral communities. An ongoing 

MMS study, “Deep-Water Coral Distribution and Abundance on Active 

Offshore Oil and Gas Platforms and Decommissioned "Rigs-to-Reefs" 

Platforms”, scheduled for completion in 2009 will provide direct 

information on coral genetic connectedness between platforms (both 

standing and Rigs-to-Reefs) and the Flower Garden Banks. 

Resources Available 

Funding Opportunities 

The MMS marine research funding opportunities are posted on the MMS website 

(http://www.mms.gov/). Projects are conducted through competitive contracts, interagency 

agreements, and cooperative agreements with universities. The MMS also supports Cooperative 

Marine Research Institutes at Louisiana State University and the University of Alaska – 

Fairbanks. 
NPS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 30 

The National Park Service (DOI) 

The National Park Service preserves the natural and cultural resources and 

values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and 

inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with 

partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation 

and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world. 

The Associate Director, National Resource Stewardship and Science, is the lead Washington 

Program Office for coordinating USCRTF activities on behalf of the NPS Director under the 

Department of the Interior. 

Authorities and Mandates

NPS authority is derived from the 1916 National Park Service Organic Act, 16 U.S.C.1. (et. 

seq., as amended and supplemented). The National Park Service shall "promote and regulate the 

use of the...national parks...which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic 

objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner 

and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." 

Organizational Structure 

The NPS is headed by a Director and two Deputy Directors. The NPS organization consists of 

the Washington Programs Office, seven regional offices and multiple park and support units. A 

total of ten parks in Hawai’i, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida 

contain coral reef resources. These units are located in the NPS Pacific West and Southeast 

Regions. 

Natural Resource Program Center

Effectively managing coral reef resources often involves integrating multiple scientific 

disciplines, legal and policy requirements, education and outreach, and partnerships. The 

Natural Resources Program Center (NRPC) is adopting this type of integrated approach across 

its five divisions to provide multidisciplinary support for coral reef management and other ocean 

and coastal issues, including the new Ocean and Coastal Resources Branch (OCRB) in the 

Water Resources Division. The OCRB coordinates coral reef activities for the NRPC including 

the Water Resources Division, Geological Resources Division, Environmental Quality Division 

and Biological Resource Management Division. For more information please visit: 

http://www.nature.nps.gov/ 

Inventory and Monitoring Networks 

The NPS Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Networks acquire and integrate scientific 

information to enable park managers to conserve natural resources in the National Park System. 

More than 270 parks with significant natural resources are organized into a system of 32 ecoregional networks linked by similar geographic and natural resource characteristics. Each 

network shares core funding and a professional staff to provide an efficient means of carrying 

out expanded inventory and monitoring activities. 
NPS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 31 

The thirteen Networks acquire and integrate scientific information to support conservation of 

ocean and coastal resources in the National Park System. The South Florida/Caribbean and 

Pacific Islands Networks develop this information for coral reef parks. For example, underwater 

habitats in many Parks have not yet been mapped and marine plant and animal communities are 

unknown or poorly understood. NPS has been acquiring detailed coral reef habitat maps and 

assessing abundance and distribution of marine species in the coral reef parks. 

The Natural Resource Program Center, parks and I&M Networks are developing these 

Geographic Information System (GIS) maps and databases, taking inventories of species, and 

designing scientifically and statistically rigorous monitoring plans (Vital Signs) to track 

ecological conditions of coastal and ocean resources, including coral reefs, working with U.S. 

Geological Survey, NOAA, state and territorial agencies and academic partners. For more 

information please visit: 

http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/marine.cfm

http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/sfcn/

http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/pacn/ 

Units of the National Park System with Coral Reef Resources

A total of ten National Parks in Hawai’i, Guam, American 

Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and South Florida contain 

coral reef resources and attract more than 1.5 million visits 

per year. NPS is working closely with states, territories, 

Federal agencies, academia, and the public to restore and 

maintain the exceptional biological and recreational values 

of coral reefs. The NPS is addressing the priority threats 

identified by the USCRTF, including coral bleaching and disease, overfishing, impaired water 

quality, recreational overuse, and other threats to the beauty and ecological integrity of reefs. 

For example, NPS established fully protected marine reserves at Dry Tortugas National Park, 

Buck Island Reef National Monument and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument in 

order to restore fish populations and reef ecosystems and protect corals from physical damage. 

For more information, see www.nature.nps.gov/water/coralreefs. 

Ten National Parks with Coral Reef Resources

Park Marine 

Area

Total Park 

Area Resources

Biscayne National Park 

(Florida)

www.nps.gov/bisc

168,552 Ac. 172,925 Ac.

Tropical bay, islands, coral reefs (includes 

Acropora spp.), seagrass, mangrove 

shorelines, turtle nesting, marine mammals, 

historic shipwrecks & middens 

Buck Island Reef National 

Monument (St. Croix, USVI)

www.nps.gov/buis

18,839 Ac.

3.2 mi 

coastline

19,015 Ac.

Offshore island; patch, spur & groove, barrier 

reef; unusual Elkhorn coral formations 

(Acropora palmata.); algal plain; shelf edge; 

sea turtle nesting; historic ship wrecks; 

prehistoric conch middens

Dry Tortugas National Park 

(Florida)

www.nps.gov/drto

64,661 Ac. 64,700 Ac. 

Isolated "atoll like" coral reef area with seven 

keys, lagoonal patch reefs (includes Acropora 

spp., A. prolifera ), barrier reef, and seagrass 

beds

Salt River Bay National 

Historical Park & Ecological 

600 Ac. 

Total 912 Ac. Mangrove shorelines; estuary; seagrass beds; fringing reefs; submarine canyons
NPS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 32 

Preserve

(St. Croix, USVI)

www.nps.gov/sari

Virgin Islands National Park 

(St. John)

www.nps.gov/viis

5,650 Ac.

36 mi. 

coastline

14,689 Ac. Total 

Beaches; fringing reefs; patch reefs (includes 

Acropora spp.); seagrass beds; mangrove 

shorelines; tropical islands; sea turtle nesting; 

submerged prehistoric and historic sites

Virgin Islands Coral Reef 

National Monument (St. 

John)

www.nps.gov/vicr

12,768 Ac.

(all Oceanic) 12,708 Ac. Mangrove shorelines; algal plains; raised hardbottom; patch reefs

National Park of American 

Samoa

www.nps.gov/npsa

2,550 Ac.

20 mi. 

coastline

10,520 Ac. 

Boundary extends 1/4 mi. offshore (6 fathom 

depth); Three coastal units; fringing coral 

reefs; spur & groove reef formations; giant 

clams; sea turtle nesting; humpback whales; 

tropical beach; and inter tidal pools 

Kalaupapa National 

Historical Park (Hawai’i)

www.nps.gov/kala

2,000 Ac. 

Marine 

10,797 Ac. Coral patch reefs; sea turtles; monk seals; and 

humpback whales

Kaloko-Honokohau National 

Historical Park (Hawai’i)

www.nps.gov/kaho

597 Ac. 

Marine 

1.7 mi. 

coastline

1,161 Ac. Tropical bay, native Hawaiian fish ponds, 

anchialine pools, and coral reefs

War-In-The-Pacific National 

Park (Hawai’i)

www.nps.gov/wapa

1,002 Ac. 

Marine

4 mi. 

coastline

1,960 Ac. Tropical beach and fringing coral reefs, 

lagoon and seagrass beds

Programs and Projects

Research and Monitoring of Threatened Elkhorn Coral

A wide range of hard coral species at Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix, USVI, 

and Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, USVI suffered from extensive bleaching and 

disease in 2005 and 2006, triggered by elevated sea surface temperatures. The loss of 

approximately 60% of live elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) cover on Buck Island’s barrier 

reef zone and approximately 30% throughout the rest of the monument is the most devastating 

since Hurricane Hugo in 1989. In 2008, NPS published information from coral monitoring and 

assessments at Buck Island that will inform designation of critical elkhorn habitats for 

protection under the Endangered Species Act. At Virgin Islands National Park, the NPS South 

Florida/Caribbean Inventory and Monitoring Network compared videotapes of 4,153 coral 

colonies to measure the extent of bleaching. By intensifying the frequency and scope of 

monitoring at St. John, NPS managers were able to detect an outbreak of white plague disease 

associated with the bleaching event that caused the loss of more than 50 percent of live coral 

cover. Joint coral monitoring and collaborations between NPS and USGS Caribbean Field 

Station and Leetown Science Center have advanced the knowledge of microbiology and disease 

etiology of threatened coral species.
NPS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 33 

State-Federal Partnerships on Marine Reserves and Ecosystem Based 

Research

“No-take” marine reserves have been established at Dry Tortugas National 

Park, Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, and Buck Island Reef 

National Monument, to restore and protect marine ecosystems and species 

they support from overfishing and anchor damage. The National Park 

Service has a clear scientific mandate to evaluate the performance and 

potential restorative impacts of these new reserves. In response to that 

mandate, NPS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are implementing a 

joint science plan for assessing the efficacy of the 46 square-mile Dry Tortugas NP Research 

Natural Area. In 2007, USGS Eastern Region initiated State Partnership Program grants for 

“Restoring Ecological Integrity and Resilience in Coral Ecosystems: The Role of Marine 

Reserves in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands” as a collaborative effort between USGS, NPS 

and state agencies and universities. Four research projects were granted to examine ecosystembased approaches to recovering at-risk species, restoring fish stocks and protecting biodiversity 

and critical habitat. This funding leveraged over $2.1 million over FY07-09 total from USGS, 

NOAA, Florida and U.S. Virgin Islands matching funds and in-kind support, to conduct applied 

research on the Dry Tortugas and Virgin Islands park reserves. 

Response and Coral Restoration for Vessel Groundings in Biscayne National Park 

The Park System Resource Protection Act (PSRPA) (16 USC 19jj) gives the NPS authority to 

respond to incidents that injure any park resource, to assess injuries, determine damages, and 

restore and monitor injured resources. Coral reef and seagrass resources in Biscayne National 

Park are frequently injured when commercial vessels and recreational boats run aground in the 

park’s shallow waters. Working with the NPS Environmental Quality Division, Biscayne NP 

has settled several PSRPA cases and recovered monetary damages to assist with assessing and 

restoring damaged resources. Recent seagrass restorations projects involve filling blowholes or 

propeller scars with soil in biodegradable bags and transplanting seagrass from donor sites. 

Coral restoration methods include repairing fractured hardbottom surfaces and reattaching living 

coral. NPS is developing a Programmatic Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement 

document to address seagrass and coral reef restoration. This document will aid managers in 

choosing restoration actions and streamline environmental compliance for future projects. 

State-Federal Efforts to Manage Land Use Change in Pacific Islands

Rapid urbanization of uplands surrounding Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, 

Hawai`i presents significant threats to brackish anchialine pools and nearshore coral reefs from 

groundwater consumption and contamination. NPS is working with state and county agencies 

and land developers to protect ground water quality discharging to the reef. The NPS has 

successfully petitioned the State of Hawai`i Land Use Commission to impose strict conditions to 

protect water resources from nonpoint source pollution. Kaloko Honokahau NHP also initiated 

the formation of a public/private Water Management Resource Group to discuss best 

management practices for groundwater quantity and quality. The USGS Coastal and Marine 

Geology Program with Stanford University scientists has collected time-series measurements of 

nearshore water temperature and chemistry, and waves and tidal currents, to better understand 

the quantity and fate of submerged groundwater discharge and associated nutrient and 

contaminant inputs to the coral reef ecosystems. At War-in-the-Pacific National Historical Park, 

Guam, NPS completed a cooperative study with the University of Guam and Territory of Guam 

into the effects of vegetation burning on sedimentation and water quality. Intentional fires cause 
NPS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 34 

changes in native plant communities and denude areas of vegetation, which result in wildfires 

and high sediment runoff rates that smother corals and reduce light availability, as well as 

adversely affect coral survival, reproduction and recruitment. The study provided the basis to 

formulate fire prevention and watershed restoration options. 

Funding Opportunities 

National Park Foundation Grants and Programs 

Working independently and with partners, the National Park Foundation funds grants and 

programs that meet priorities and critical needs across our National Park System in the areas of 

youth, community outreach, conservation and professional engagement. The Foundation 

actively supports the National Park Service in its goal to prepare national parks for another 

century of conservation, preservation and enjoyment by its 100th anniversary in 2016. For more 

information about the National Park Foundation, visit www.nationalparks.org. 

Internships, Volunteer and Temporary Positions

Internships

A variety of internship opportunities with the National Park Service 

are available at many parks and various centers and offices. Many 

parks list internships on their website in the 'Support Your Park' 

section. For more information, contact the parks directly or visit 

http://www.nps.gov/gettinginvolved/internships/index.htm 

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) 

The SCA, a non-profit organization, places more than 3,800 people in internships every year. 

Most interns work in National Parks and perform duties varying from visitor interpretation 

services to natural resource restoration and management. For more information, visit 

www.thesca.org 

Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) 

Volunteering is an American tradition that empowers and contributes to communities, 

organizations, and individuals throughout the country. The National Park Service VIP program 

was authorized by Public Law 91-357 enacted in 1970. Many parks list volunteer opportunities 

on their website in the 'Support Your Park' section. For more information, contact the parks 

directly or visit http://www.nps.gov/gettinginvolved/volunteer/index.htm

Temporary and Seasonal Employment 

To meet the needs of visitors and help manage and protect park resources, the NPS hires 

approximately 10,000 temporary and seasonal employees annually. While temporary positions 

are available in a range of career fields, most jobs available are in the categories of Visitor Use 

Assistants; Park Guides & Interpreters; Biological Science Technicians; Park Rangers; Seasonal 

Maintenance Positions. Seasonal positions are advertised and filled directly by NPS Human 

Resources Offices around the country. All job openings can be found on www.USAJobs.gov, 

the official job site for the United States Federal Government. Just go to USAJobs, click on 

Search Jobs and type in "NPS" to find a complete listing of seasonal and permanent job 

opportunities and application procedures. 
OIA

USCRTF Coral Profiles 35 

Office of Insular Affairs (DOI) 

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carries out the Secretary of the 

Interior’s responsibilities for the insular areas. OIA’s major charge is 

to coordinate Federal policy and to provide technical and financial 

assistance to the territories of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), Guam, 

American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The office 

also provides technical and financial assistance to the Freely Associated States (FAS) of the 

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic 

of Palau. The financial assistance OIA provides is to improve government operations and 

infrastructure, recognizing that local tax revenues and other Federal programs are insufficient to 

meet the unique political, social and economic needs of the islands. Much of this assistance is in 

the form of mandatory funding and is the product of negotiated long-term agreements.

U.S. territories and FAS total fewer than 2,000 square miles of land in aggregate (excluding 

Puerto Rico), but are distributed over more than 3,000,000 square miles of ocean - an area 

equivalent to the conterminous U.S. Thus, the insular areas represent a significant portion of 

waters under U.S. jurisdiction. They also are home to some of the most extensive and 

biologically diverse coral reef ecosystems in the world. Islanders have long harvested these

resources for a wide range of utilitarian, symbolic and ornamental functions. Coral reefs also 

protect these island communities from coastal erosion and storm damage, provide habitat to 

numerous species, and support important tourism and recreational industries. Rapidly growing 

populations, poor land-use practices, and over-exploitation of nearshore resources have severely 

degraded many of these ecosystems.

Through its Coral Reef Initiative, OIA is playing a critical role in the national effort to conserve 

coral reefs by working with the U.S.-affiliated insular areas to enhance the management and 

protection of their coral reef resources. For more information please visit 

http://www.doi.gov/oia/Firstpginfo/coralreef.html 

Authorities and Mandates

Under 48 U.S.C. 1469(d), the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to provide technical 

assistance in the form of “research, planning assistance, studies, and demonstration projects” 

through reimbursements to other agencies, grants to the insular governments, or employment of 

private individuals, partnerships or corporations. 

Organizational Structure 

OIA is under the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget. OIA is headed by the 

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs whose director oversees three divisions: Policy, 

Budget and Technical Assistance.
OIA

USCRTF Coral Profiles 36 

Programs & Projects

Caribbean Region 

Salt River Bay Marine Research and Education Center; St. Croix, USVI

A partnership among the National Park Service (NPS), OIA and a consortium of universities 

(Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey; the University of North Carolina, Wilmington; the 

University of the Virgin Islands and the University of South Carolina) known as the Joint 

Institute for Caribbean Marine Studies (JICMS) is working to build a major marine research and 

education center (MREC) at the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological 

Preserve, St. Croix. 

The Salt River Bay MREC will support research and education programs that will address the 

rapidly declining health of coral reef ecosystems throughout the Caribbean and other tropical 

regions of the world. The MREC will also support science-based management for two new 

marine parks in St. Croix and throughout the region, provide student education and promote 

public awareness of the economic and cultural heritage of the tropical oceans. 

OIA has contributed $670,000 for the planning and design of the facility. With the feasibility 

study and environmental assessment completed, the stage is set to begin the design phase. The 

proposal is to build the MREC not only as a center of excellence for marine research and 

education, but also as a “green demonstration project” for the NPS and the insular areas. It 

would be among the first marine research centers and NPS facilities to be designed to use 

renewable energy such as wind and solar power and to minimize impacts to surrounding 

sensitive habitats such as the watersheds and adjacent marine areas. 

Pacific Region Projects

The Micronesian Challenge

In 2006, the Presidents of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands, 

and the Governors of Guam and the CNMI, committed to protect at least 30 percent of nearshore marine resources and 20 percent of terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020. 

Covering 6.7 million square kilometers of ocean, the Micronesia Challenge represents more 

than 20% of the Pacific Island region – and 5% of the largest ocean in the world. The Challenge 

will help protect at least 66 known threatened species, 10% of the global total reef area and 462 

coral species – that is 58% of all known corals. 

OIA supports the Challenge through funding for local resource planning projects and 

participation on advisory and planning committees that assist the jurisdictions in meeting the 

objectives of the Challenge. 

The Micronesia Challenge has gained international recognition and is being copied in other 

regions, including the recently proposed “Caribbean Challenge.” 

Resources Available 

Since 1994, OIA has worked closely with island governments to identify local and regional 

priorities for protection and sustainable use of their marine resources, and especially their coral 

reefs. The priorities have been summarized in the U.S. All Islands Coral Reef Initiative Strategy 

(1999), Local Action Strategies (LAS) developed by each jurisdiction and annual requests for 
OIA

USCRTF Coral Profiles 37 

financial assistance. The Strategy was a cornerstone of the National Action Plan to Conserve 

Coral Reefs, adopted by the USCRTF in March 2000 while the LAS have laid out specific areas 

of need for individual jurisdictions. 

Funding Opportunities 

OIA provides technical assistance primarily to the territorial governments, although grants to 

other individuals or institutions may be made with the support of the Chief Executive of the 

affected insular area. Grant applications, in the form of a narrative proposal and detailed budget, 

are reviewed and awarded as they are received throughout the year. A detailed handbook on 

OIA’s grant programs is available at: 

http://www.doi.gov/oia/budget/budhist/Complete_Manual_2.doc

Coral Reef Initiative

Since 2000, OIA’s Coral Reef Initiative has awarded $500,000 annually in direct grants to the 

insular areas for coral reef conservation and management projects. In partnership with the 

NOAA, OIA provides this technical assistance to support insular area efforts to conserve and 

protect coral reef ecosystems. Grants support a broad range of projects designed to fill gaps in 

management capacity and to develop a comprehensive marine resource management program 

within each of the areas. Local Action Strategies, developed by each of the U.S. territories, form 

the basis for a significant portion of the insular area annual grant awards. 

In 2008, OIA received an increase of $479,000 for its coral reef initiative to support the 

Micronesia Challenge and the partnership to build a new marine research and education center 

at Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve in St. Croix, USVI. In 

addition, funds from other programs within OIA support projects that improve the health of 

coral reefs, such as expanding or constructing new wastewater treatment facilities or reducing 

run-off, both of which increase water quality over the adjacent reefs. 

Other grants that may apply to coral reef conservation and management projects include: 

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Grants 

OIA’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) provides funds to support a variety of infrastructure 

needs in the U.S. territories including critical infrastructure like hospitals, schools and 

wastewater systems ($27.7 million in FY05). A unique feature of CIP funds is that they may be 

used to meet the local matching requirement for capital improvement grants of other Federal 

agencies, subject to OIA’s approval. Territories request CIP funds through the annual grants 

process; funds may be used, as in the U.S. Virgin Islands beginning in FY05, for wastewater 

treatment. 

General Technical Assistance 

These grants are for short-term, non-capital projects and may be submitted for consideration at 

any time during the fiscal year ($11.7 million appropriated in FY05). 

Maintenance Assistance 

Focuses on improving maintenance through training, education and technical advice ($2.3 

million in FY06). 
OIA

USCRTF Coral Profiles 38 

Water and Wastewater Projects 

This $1 million item requested in the President’s Budget supports the critical goals of improving 

water quality in the waters of jurisdictions. 

Fellowships Offered 

Micronesia Challenge Conservation Champions 

The Micronesia Challenge is seeking conservation 

"champions" to design and carry out 

outreach and educational programs. Each "champion" 

will receive $5,000 in stipends, a laptop, 

and funded travel for workshops and training. 

Applicants must be citizens or permanent

residents of Micronesia and either currently enrolled 

in a college or university or a recent 

college graduate. For more information, contact Willy 

Kostka, director of the Micronesia 

Conservation Trust at mctdirector@mail.fm. 
USGS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 39 

U.S. Geological Survey (DOI) 

As a bureau within the Department of the Interior (DOI), the 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (http://www.usgs.gov/) serves the Nation by providing reliable 

and unbiased scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life 

and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; 

and enhance and protect our quality of life. In collaboration with partners, the USGS reports on 

the state of the Nation’s terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems and studies the causes 

and consequences of ecological change, monitors and provides methods for protecting and 

managing the biological and physical components and processes of ecosystems, and interprets 

for policymakers how current and future rates of change will affect natural resources and 

society. 

The USGS is the only Federal agency that combines scientific expertise in biology, hydrology, 

geology, and geography and thus is uniquely positioned to advance scientific understanding of 

mankind’s influence on ecosystem processes and the changes that are occurring that affect our 

well-being. Most of the funding support for coral mapping, monitoring and research comes 

primarily from two (of about 30) USGS programs: the Coastal and Marine Geology Program 

(http://marine.usgs.gov/) and the Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Ecosystem Program 

(http://biology.usgs.gov/ecosystems/). 

Coral Science Plan

The USGS Coral Science Plan, Strategic Science for Coral 

Ecosystems, 2007-2011 describes the information needs of resource 

managers to address threats to coral reef ecosystems and summarizes 

relevant mapping, monitoring, and research being conducted by 

USGS scientists and partners. It outlines important research actions 

that need to be undertaken to achieve more accurate forecasting of 

future conditions and develop more effective decision-support tools to 

adaptively manage coral ecosystems. The overarching outcome of this 

Plan, if fully implemented, would enable decision-makers to better 

protect and sustain coral ecosystem services. These services include sources of food, essential 

habitat for fisheries and protected species, protection of coastlines from wave damage and 

erosion, recreation, and cultural values for indigenous communities. The USGS Coral Science 

Plan is responsive to the Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy, and to 

recommendations of the USCRTF. The Plan addresses information needs of DOI Bureaus and 

aligns with the USGS Bureau Science Strategy. To view the USGS Coral Science Plan, visit 

http://marine.usgs.gov/coral-plan/coralplan2007.pdf 

Authorities and Mandates 

USGS is authorized to conduct surveys, investigations, and research under the Organic Act (43 

U.S.C., Article 31) which established the USGS. USGS has authority (Publ. L. 106-291, 114 

Stat.932) to use cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts to carry out its mission. The Fish 

and Wildlife Coordination Act also authorizes the DOI to investigate and report on actions that 

affect all species of wildlife and their habitat. 
USGS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 40 

Organizational Structure 

The USGS is organized under a Director, with Headquarters in Reston, VA. Western, Central 

and Eastern Regional Directors are located in Seattle, Denver, and Reston, respectively. Within 

each Region, three (sub-regional) Area Executives have oversight for the USGS Science 

Centers. Over 9,000 USGS scientists, managers, and support staff are employed nation-wide, at 

Reston Headquarters, at Science Centers and Field Offices in each state and in Guam, Puerto 

Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

USGS Science Centers 

The primary USGS Science Centers that map, monitor and/or conduct research on shallowwater corals and coral ecosystems (including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses and adjacent 

watersheds) include:

• Florida Integrated Science Center, Gainesville and St. Petersburg, FL 

(http://fisc.er.usgs.gov/) 

• Leetown Science Center, Leetown WV (http://www.lsc.usgs.gov/) 

• Earth Surface Processes Team, Reston, VA (http://geology.er.usgs.gov/eespteam/) 

• National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI (http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/) 

• Columbia Environmental Science Center, Columba, MO (http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/) 

• Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Honolulu, HI 

(http://biology.usgs.gov/pierc/index.htm) 

• Western Coastal and Marine Geology, Santa Cruz, CA (http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/) 

• National Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette, LA (http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/) 

Institutions that are interested in partnering with USGS marine scientists should peruse these 

Centers web sites to learn about the nature and scope of current projects and associated 

expertise. 

Programs and Projects

Current and planned USGS activities are aimed at addressing priorities identified in the Strategic Science for Coral Ecosystems 2007-2011 planning document, which encompasses the 

following three themes and associated actions:

Theme 1: Reef Structure, Ecological Integrity, and the Role of Marine Reserves 

Mapping and Characterizing Shallow Coral Ecosystems 

USGS scientists use remotely sensed data from Hawai`i, U.S. Pacific 

Islands, the Florida Keys, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico to 

detect, map, and sample reef areas to assess coral cover, algae, silt, sand, 

and other types of benthic habitat. Interpretation of the remotely sensed 

data is corroborated by field mapping and in situ measurements of coral 

cover. While various remote sensing techniques (such as aerial 

photography and other imaging techniques) provide location information, 

snorkel and scuba equipment, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and 

submersibles allow USGS scientists to directly identify coral species and 

make estimates of living coral coverage and biodiversity. In-the-water 

observations, including underwater photography and geo-referenced videography provide 
USGS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 41 

records that can be incorporated into maps and used to understand subtle changes in the reef 

ecosystem. Examples of technology under development by USGS that relate to reef mapping 

include: 

• Lidar (light detection and ranging)-derived submarine topographic (bathymetric) maps 

are being produced as collaborative efforts between USGS, NPS, and NASA. As part of 

this project, data from an innovative instrument under development by NASA, called the 

Experimental Airborne Advanced Research Lidar (EAARL), are being used. Examples 

of EAARL studies include: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 

(http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1395/start.html); Gulf Islands National Seashore 

(http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1422/start.html); and Dry Tortugas NP 

(http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1244/start.htm) 

• The Along-Track Reef Imaging System (ATRIS) was developed by USGS to provide 

resource managers with highly detailed, geo-referenced benthic-substrate observations 

for monitoring and mapping coral reef ecosystems. ATRIS is a boat-based sensor 

package that allows rapid mapping of shallow-water (<10 meters) benthic environments. 

ATRIS combines high-resolution bathymetry, underwater color digital photography, 

underwater video, vessel-heave compensation, and differential Global Positioning 

System (GPS) data to provide photographic and video transects of the sea floor keyed to 

precise geographic locations and water depths. ATRIS has been used to collect shallowwater observations for several areas in the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas National Park.

Lidar surveys and high-resolution benthic habitat mapping has been conducted on the fringing 

coral reef of Molokai, Hawai`i, and the results are available at the following links: 

Molokai Atlas (http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5101/) 

Molokai benthic habitat mapping (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1070/) 

Molokai lidar bathymetry (http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/2005/2886/) 

Detailed mapping conducted with the National Park Service in Hawai`i, is available for the 

following National Parks:

• Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site benthic habitat mapping 

(http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2006/5254/) 

• Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park benthic habitat mapping 

(http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2006/5256/) 

• Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park benthic habitat mapping 

(http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2006/5258/) 

Microbial Ecology of Corals 

Coral-associated microbiological studies by USGS are underway in the U.S. Virgin Islands, 

Florida Keys, and American Samoa. Studying coral microbes is important because coral reefs, 

particularly those in the Caribbean, show a relatively high incidence of disease. The few coral 

diseases that have been characterized are all caused by microorganisms. 

Ecology of Shallow Reefs 

USGS research spans process studies involving biologic, ecologic, meteorologic, geologic, and 

hydrologic components of the coral ecosystems. These efforts include water-quality analyses, 

ground-water modeling, hydrogeologic-data collection, ecologic-habitat evaluations, coral reef 

rehabilitation/enhancement, biodiversity and endemism of fishes studies, seagrass and mangrove 
USGS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 42 

characterizations, biogeochemistry of ecosystems, and paleo-ecologic analyses. Relevant 

information is provided for important resource protection and restoration issues, including the 

effects of environmental stressors (climate change, pollutants, contaminants, destructive fishing 

practices, invasive species and disease) and the role and function of marine reserves. 

Florida (Dry Tortugas) and U.S. Virgin Islands - In collaboration with the NPS and NOAA, the 

2007-2009 USGS Eastern Region, State Partnership Program funded four research projects in 

the Dry Tortugas National Park and parks in the U.S. Virgin Islands, including: 

• Trophic coupling and habitat connectivity in coral reef, mangrove, and seagrass benthic 

invertebrate communities of the Virgin Islands National Park and Coral Reef National 

Monument 

• Physical and Biological Connectivity of Virgin Islands Coral Reefs: the Potential for 

Recovery of Reefs within Virgin Islands National Park, Virgin Islands Coral Reef 

National Monument, and Buck Island Reef National Monument 

• Efficacy of a newly-established Research Natural Area (RNA) for protecting coral reef 

fishes within Dry Tortugas National Park

• Coral-Algal-Herbivore Interactions in Protected versus Unprotected Reef Ecosystems

Additional research scheduled in the Dry Tortugas includes: retrospective analyses (paleohistory) from coral cores to evaluate past environmental conditions; habitat mapping to classify 

presently unknown areas and identify areas of particular value for harboring endangered sea 

turtles; and rates of coral calcification as influenced by various stressors.

Hawaiian Islands and other Pacific Islands, including Guam, American Samoa, and Palmyra 

Atoll - research currently underway or planned to begin this year includes: disease incidence in 

corals, fishes, and sea turtles; impacts of invasive species. 

Theme 2: Land-based and Local Impacts

Freshwater Flux and the Sources, Fates, and Effects of Sediments and Pollutants 

USGS studies on the impacts of surface and groundwater inflows containing sediments and/or 

pollutants and their flux over shallow water reefs have included studies in Hawai`i, Guam, south 

Florida and Biscayne Bay. In Hawai`i and Guam, the focus has been on “ridge to reef” issues 

associated with land use, water use and effects of freshwater-borne sediments and nutrients on 

reefs. Questions being addressed include: what are the sediment sources; how much sediment is 

being transported; how long does the sediment stay on reefs; and what impact does the sediment 

have on the reef communities. At Kona, Hawai`i, USGS is studying the flux of pollutants 

through the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park lands from groundwater sources in 

adjacent watersheds. Geological and oceanographic (transport) process studies are components 

of these investigations. In Florida, information on pollutant sources, transport, distribution, and 

accumulation in sediments is coupled with sub-regional models to give an integrated 

comprehensive assessment of how different management scenarios will affect water flows in 

both Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park and how the parks’ living resources 

will be affected. 
USGS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 43 

Wastewater Threats 

In the Florida Keys, USGS researchers have recently used coral mucus to demonstrate the 

presence of specific human viruses in nearshore reef environments. Coral mucus, as a nutrientrich coral biofilm, is an ideal natural "flypaper" that can trap passing viruses from the overlying 

water column. Moreover, human-specific wastewater-associated viruses are detectable at outerreef sites in a nearshore-to-offshore-transect .These studies and others like it will aid regional 

ecosystem and public-health officials in addressing management issues for protecting human as 

well as coral health. 

The USGS has conducted comprehensive studies of the transport and fate of sediment and its 

effect on coral reefs of Hawai`i and Guam. A compendium of new findings The Coral Reef of 

South Moloka'i, Hawai'i-Portrait of a Sediment-Threatened Fringing Reef. is available at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5101/. Related papers on sediment transport and its impact on 

corals throughout Hawai`i are available at http://coralreefs.wr.usgs.gov/pubs.html

Theme 3: Responses to Global Change 

Coral Mortality and African Dust 

The widespread geographic occurrence of disease on 

Caribbean reefs and the continuing lack of recovery of 

damaged reefs is perplexing, given that these declines are 

occurring on reefs remote from, as well as near to, 

human activities. What would be a large scale process 

that could explain this pattern of continuing coral reef 

decline? USGS scientists have hypothesized that African 

and Asian dust air masses transport nutrients (iron, 

nitrates, and other nutrients), persistent organic pollutants (pesticides, polyaromatic 

hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins and furans) and viable microorganisms that 

may adversely affect human health and downwind ecosystems such as coral reefs. Hundreds of 

millions of tons of African dust are transported annually from the Sahara and Sahel to the 

Caribbean and southeastern U.S. The quantities of dust vary annually as a result of global 

climate, local meteorology, geomorphology of source areas, and human activities. 

Ocean acidification 

In collaboration with researchers at the University of Hawai`i, USGS has conducted a longterm, small-scale controlled investigation of the effects of ocean acidification on coral reef 

organisms. These studies indicate that projected increases in the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2 ) 

in the oceans resulting from anthropogenic burning of fossil fuels could have severe impacts on 

coral reef ecosystems with critical levels being surpassed by 2100. There is also concern that the 

recruitment and growth of encrusting coralline algae, which are very important occupiers of 

hard substratum on reefs across the globe, could also see a severe reduction.

USGS scientists are undertaking a series of field-based monitoring and process studies and 

retrospective analyses on coral skeletal material at different locations in the Gulf of Mexico to 

investigate the impact of changing temperature and pH on the calcification rates of corals and 

other selected calcifying organisms and monitor changes in ocean chemistry in shallow 

carbonate environments. Specific efforts will include: 
USGS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 44 

• Investigations of present-day coral calcification rates in important reef-building species 

in relation to season, temperature, and carbonate system parameters and changes in 

seawater temperature and pH using climate proxies in coral cores.

• Testing and calibration of newly developed analytic equipment for monitoring seawater 

carbonate system parameters and for use in large-scale incubation chamber experiments 

on reef metabolism, calcification, and carbonate dissolution in the shallow carbonate 

environment. 

• Quantifying the relationship between past changes in growth and calcification rates and 

changes in seawater temperature and pH using climate proxies in coral cores.

Bleaching and the Tolerance of Corals to High Water Temperatures 

In cooperation with NPS, University of Hawai`i, Florida Institute of Technology, and Wildlife 

Conservation Society, studies are underway in the National Park of American Samoa to 

determine the internal and external factors that increase the ability of a wide variety of corals to 

resist environmental stress. Experiments are 1) determining whether the survival and differential 

growth rates of corals that are tolerant of high temperatures reflect genetic adaptations or other 

kinds of environmental control and 2) evaluating environmental factors that influence bleaching 

(loss of zooxanthellae) when corals are subjected to high water temperatures. Also, because 

changes in the coral-associated bacterial communities echo changes in the health of the coral, 

bacteria are, at a minimum, attuned to their host's metabolism and may play an active role in 

maintaining the overall health of the coral. Hence, assessments are testing whether changes in 

the microbial community may be used as “early warnings” of coral bleaching and disease. 

(see http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/coral-microbes/climate-change.html)

In collaboration with the NPS, long-term monitoring of coral reefs in the U.S. Virgin Islands is 

providing valuable insights into the complex interactions of coral bleaching, recovery, 

pathogens, and disease processes with environmental variables such as water temperature, 

sunlight, dissolved oxygen, and water circulation.

Resources Available

The majority of the mapping, monitoring, and research that USGS undertakes is conducted with 

one or more partners, collaborators, or cooperators. These stakeholders often include other DOI 

Bureaus (NPS, FWS , MMS, BLM), other Federal Agencies (NOAA, NASA, EPA, USACE), 

coastal states, and academic institutions. Depending on their level of engagement and specific 

information needs, stakeholders generally contribute to project development and 

implementation with direct funding, Federal or non-Federal matching funds, expertise, and/or 

in-kind services. Joint research opportunities are often solicited through topical workshops and 

meetings and sometimes by direct contacts between USGS scientists or managers and scientific 

colleagues or managers from other institutions. 

Fellowships and Student Opportunities

The Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program

The Mendenhall Program provides an opportunity for postdoctoral fellows to conduct 

concentrated research in association with selected members of the USGS professional staff, 

often as a final element to their formal career preparation. The program is also intended to 
USGS

USCRTF Coral Profiles 45 

provide research experience that enhances their personal scientific stature and credentials. The 

Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program is envisioned to bring current scientific 

expertise to assist in the implementation of the broad-based USGS Bureau Science Strategy,

which includes, but is not restricted to, coral ecosystem science. For more information visit: 

http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/

NIWR-USGS Student Internship Program

This program provides undergraduate and graduate students with career-enhancing field, 

laboratory, and research experience through participation in USGS activities as interns. The 

program is a collaborative effort between the USGS and the National Institutes for Water 

Resources (NIWR) in selected States. 

Coral Related Publications and Documents

For references to published papers, conference talks and posters with abstracts, and invited talks

by USGS scientists, please visit http://coralreefs.wr.usgs.gov/pubs.html
USAID

USCRTF Coral Profiles 46 

U.S. Agency for International 

Development 

The mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is to extend a helping 

hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster or striving 

to live in a free and democratic country.

USAID is the independent government agency that provides economic and humanitarian 

assistance in sub- Saharan Africa, Asia and the Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean, 

and Europe and Eurasia. The agency works in 100 developing countries and in close partnership 

with private voluntary organizations, indigenous groups, universities, American businesses, 

international organizations, other governments, trade and professional associations, faith-based 

organizations, and other U.S. government agencies. USAID has working relationships, through 

contracts and grant agreements, with more than 3,500 companies and over 300 U.S.-based 

private voluntary organizations. 

Through public and private partners, USAID supports coral reef and mangrove forest 

conservation activities in over 25 countries. Activities aim to: 

• Reduce land-based sources of pollution 

• Address overfishing, destructive fishing, and adverse trade impacts 

• Promote sustainable tourism, including “green” and fair tourism 

• Address coral bleaching and coral diseases

• Promote environmental awareness and stewardship

USDA is represented at the USCRTF by the Office of Natural Resources Management 

(ONRM). ONRM is tasked with the oversight and management of USAID programs that affect 

the sustainable use of natural resources: forests, biodiversity, land and water. 

Authorities, Mandates and International Agreements 

Foreign Assistance Act

On September 4, 1961, the Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act, which reorganized the 

U.S. foreign assistance programs including separating military and non-military aid. The Act 

mandated the creation of an agency to administer economic assistance programs, and on 

November 3, 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the U.S. Agency for International 

Development.

Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)

CITES is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that 

international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. 

CITES conservation goals are to: monitor international trade in endangered species; maintain 

those species in an ecological balance; and assist countries toward a sustainable use of species 

through international trade. As of 2007, 172 Parties have adopted the Convention. 
USAID

USCRTF Coral Profiles 47 

Executive Order 13089, “Coral Reef Protection” Section 5 (d)- International Cooperation.

The Secretary of State and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development, in 

cooperation with other members of the USCRTF and drawing upon their expertise, shall assess 

the U.S. role in international trade and protection of coral reef species and implement 

appropriate strategies and actions to promote conservation and sustainable use of coral reef 

resources worldwide. Such actions shall include expanded collaboration with other International 

Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) partners, especially governments, to implement the ICRI through its 

Framework for Action and the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network at regional, national, and 

local levels.

Organizational Structure 

USAID has three functional bureaus: Global Health; Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian 

Assistance; and Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade. The USCRTF representative office, 

the Office of National Resource Management, is within the Agriculture and Trade bureau. 

For environmental programs, the Office of Natural Resources Management identifies 

biodiversity hotspots and then develops environmental programs and initiatives. The actual 

programs are funded by USAID via competitive grant processes and implemented by third 

parties (often global NGOs in alliance with local governments). Evaluation for each project is 

performance-based. 

Regions

USAID supports three marine ecoregions of global significance – the East African Marine 

Ecoregion, the Meso-American Reef region, and the South East Asian Coral Triangle in 

Indonesia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea – in partnership with the World Wildlife 

Fund, the Nature Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the International Coral 

Reef Action Network. Please refer to Appendix section for a list of specific USAID-funded 

projects.
USAID

USCRTF Coral Profiles 48 

Programs & Projects

USAID’s activities directly support coral reef and mangrove forest conservation internationally. 

Activities range from field programs in best management practices and monitoring, to the 

establishment and improvement of marine parks and reserves, to improvements in coastal 

tourism and fisheries management, to Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) and larger 

seascape approaches. USAID Coral Reef projects are available at: 

http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/environment/water/coral_reefs.html 

The Global Conservation Program 

This program is a partnership with six U.S.-based conservation organizations to address the 

most pressing threats to species-rich land and seascapes around the world. Regional coral reef 

projects under this program include: Eastern Africa Marine Ecoregion in Kenya, Tanzania, and 

Mozambique; Glover’s Reef Seascape in Belize; Meso-American Reef in Mexico, Belize, 

Guatemala, and Honduras; Wakatobi National Park and Raja Ampat Islands in Indonesia; and 

Kimbe Bay in Papua New Guinea. 

Management of Marine Protected Areas and Sustainable Fisheries

USAID is supporting marine protected areas, fishery reserves, and marine national parks of 

regional and international significance in Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Egypt, 

Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Brazil, Honduras, Nicaragua, 

Mexico and Panama, as well as several transboundary sites. 

WorldFish Center

USAID provides core support to the WorldFish Center for research and management on 

sustainable fisheries and mariculture. 

International Cooperation Programs 

USAID, in partnership with other Federal agencies, was instrumental in establishing the 

International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) and in developing ICRI's Call to Action and 

Framework for Action, which are based upon ICM principles promoted in Agency projects 

worldwide. The USAID continues to support the goals and efforts of ICRI. 

USAID also contributes technically and programmatically to the Global Program of Action 

(GPA) for the control of Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution, the Meso-American Reef 

Alliance Initiative, the Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) project of the Middle East 

Peace Process, the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Fauna and 

Flora (CITES), the Convention on Biodiversity Conservation, the Asia Pacific Environmental 

Cooperation forum, and other regional and global efforts contributing to the conservation and 

sustainable use of coastal and coral reef resources. 

Highlighted Projects

Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest (FISH), Philippines 

FISH aims to conserve biological diversity in at least four biologically and economically 

important marine ecosystems in the Philippines, as measured by an increase in fish stocks and 

the maintenance of selected coastal resources that support them with environmental services. 

FISH is working with the Government of the Philippines and local communities to implement 

sound fisheries governance, adopt an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management, and 
USAID

USCRTF Coral Profiles 49 

address illegal fishing. FISH works in four large regions - Tawi-Tawi Group of Islands, Danajon 

Bank, Lanuza Bay, and Calamianes Islands - and nationally to address overfishing and 

destructive fishing and promote sustainable practices, as well as assisting in development and 

implementation of national fisheries policies.

http://philippines.usaid.gov/oee_envgov_marine_fish.php 

North Sulawesi MPA, Indonesia 

Three pilot Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) established through the Water Team’s Indonesia 

project, Proyek Pesisir, are yielding significant ecological, economic, and infrastructure benefits 

to the fishermen and coastal communities of North Sulawesi. Coral cover and fish abundance is 

improving, bomb fishing is on the decline, ecotourism and new agriculture and seaweed farming 

activities are generating revenues, and numerous infrastructure improvements have been 

implemented. An additional 24 sites are now looking to establish community MPAs. 

Wakatobi National Park and Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia 

USAID, in a partnership with the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund, contributes 

financial resources to conserving Wakatobi National Park and Raja Ampat Islands. Wakatobi is 

the largest marine national park in Indonesia, while the Raja Ampat Island are considered by the 

Nature conservancy to be the “diversity epicenter of the Coral Triangle.” 

Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea 

In a partnership with the Nature Conservancy, USAID assists in funding the Kimbe Bay MPA 

network. Kimbe Bay contains nearly 60 percent of the coral species of the entire Indo-Pacific. 

For more information, please visit 

These USAID programs are centered on marine resources in many parts of the world and often 

involve coral reef areas:

 

Country Program Partners

Africa

Kenya

Global Conservation Program: East Africa Marine 

Ecoregion Program - Kiunga Marine National Reserve. 

(Lamu Archipelago seascape on the Kenya-Somalia border)

WWF, park officials, local 

NGOs, universities

Mozambique

Global Conservation Program: East Africa Marine 

Ecoregion Program - Quirimbas National Park. (The total 

area of the park is 750,639 hectares—of which 152,237 

hectares are in marine and island habitats.) 

WWF, park officials, local 

NGOs, universities

Tanzania

SEMMA Project. Links biodiversity conservation with 

economic opportunities in wildlife and coastal resources in 

targeted ecosystems by shifting a focus from centralized 

policy to decentralized decision-making. 

ACDI VOCA, local 

communities, local and 

national government

Tanzania Sustaining Coastal Communities and Ecosystems 

(SUCCESS): Menai Bay

University of Rhode Island, 

local community, Univ. of 

Hawai`i at Hilo

AFR Regional 

Programs

Sustainable and Thriving Environment for West African 

Regional Development (STEWARD): conducting an initial 

assessment of threats to terrestrial and marine biodiversity, 

including fisheries, along the west coast of Africa in 

preparation for follow-up activities

USFS, local experts and 

communities, governments
USAID

USCRTF Coral Profiles 50 

Indonesia

Global Conservation Program: Support for the 

Establishment of Effectively Managed Platform Sites as 

Foundations for Resilient Networks of FunctionallyConnected Marine Protected Areas (SEEMPS-MPAS): 

Raja Ampat Islands (Large-scale regional planning for 

ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management, 

conservation of spawning sites, regulation and 

enforcement)

TNC, local communities, 

local NGOs, local and 

national government, 

universities, Ministry of 

Fisheries and Marine 

Affairs

Indonesia 

Global Conservation Program: SEEMPS-MPAS): Wakatobi 

National Park (Large-scale regional planning for

ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management, 

conservation, enforcement)

TNC, local communities, 

local NGOs, local and 

national government, 

universities, Ministry of 

Fisheries and Marine 

Affairs

Papua New 

Guinea

Global Conservation Program: SEEMPS-MPAS) Kimbe 

Bay and Bismarck Sea (Locally Managed Marine Areas; 

Large-scale regional planning for ecosystem-based 

approaches to fisheries management, conservation of 

spawning sites, regulation and enforcement)

TNC, Fisheries Department, 

local communities, local 

level government units, 

Mahonia na Dari

Philippines

Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest (FISH): Goal is 

to increase fish stocks by 10% through an ecosystem-based 

approach to fisheries management. 

Tetra Tech INC., local and 

national governments, local 

communities, local 

universities, local NGOs

Philippines Coastal Resources and Fisheries Project (CRFC)

DAI, local governments, 

national government, local 

NGOs

Thailand Post-tsunami Sustainable Coastal Livelihoods Project 

Univ. Rhode Island, Asian 

Institute of Technology, 

Univ. Hawai`i at Hilo, local 

communities and 

government.

Middle East

Egypt LIFE program; Red Sea coastal tourism and coral reef 

conservation Contractors

Jordan, Israel Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program: coral 

reef resource management and conservation

Jordanian and Israeli 

universities

Latin America& Caribbean

Belize

Global Conservation Program: SEEMPS-MPAS - Gladden 

Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve (fisheries management 

and coral reef conservation)

TNC, Friends of Nature, 

Belize Spawning 

Aggregation Working 

Group, Belize Fisheries 

Department

Belize

Global Conservation Program: Glover's Reef Living 

Seascape: Safeguarding Marine Resources and Rural 

Livelihoods in Belize

WCS, Glovers Reef 

Advisory Committee, Belize 

Fisheries Department, 

Friends of Nature

Ecuador

Sustaining Coastal Communities and Ecosystems 

(SUCCESS): Cojimies Estuary (mangrove conservation as 

critical fish habitat; sustainable aquaculture)

Coastal Resources Center 

Univ. Rhode Island, Univ. 

Hawai`i at Hilo, local 

communities

Guatemala

Global Conservation Program - SEEMPS-MPAS: MesoAmerican Regional Progam (identification and 

conservation of Nassua grouper spwaning aggregation sites)

TNC, Friends of Nature, 

Spawning Aggregation 

Working Group)
USAID

USCRTF Coral Profiles 51 

Honduras

Global Conservation Program: SEEMPS-MPAS -- Cayos 

Cochinos National Monument (fisheries management and 

coral reef conservation)

TNC, Committee for the 

Management of Cayos 

Cochinos, HCRF, Ministry 

SERNA

Honduras

Integrated Protection and Management of Environmental 

Resources (MIRA): lobster fishery assessment and 

management

International Resources 

Group, local partners, local 

and national government, 

universities

Mexico

Global Conservation Program: SEEMPS-MPAS - Sian 

Ka'an Reserve (fisheries management and coral reef 

conservation)

TNC, Amigos de Sian 

Ka'an, reserve officials, 

CONANP

Regional 

Program in 

Central 

America and 

Mexico

Global Conservation Program - Meso-American Reef 

Program: SEEMPS-MPAS - Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, 

Honduras. (Fish spawaing aggregations sites; 

hydrodynamic modeling of currents and larval transport; 

virtual learning center for managers; whale shark tourism 

management.)

TNC, Univ. Miami, 

Tecnológico de Monterrey, 

Univ. for International 

Cooperation in Costa Rica, 

Friends of Nature, WCS

Central 

American - 

Dominican 

Republic Free 

Trade 

Agreement

Improve Fisheries Regulation, Management and 

Enforcement; Protect Endangered Marine Sea Turtles 

through improved use of Turtle Excluder Devices and 

reduced turtle by-catch in longline fishing. Costa Rica, El 

Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Dominican 

Republic.

NOAA, WWF, Fisheries 

Ministries/Departments, 

private sector

Resources Available 

Funding

All USAID financial and technical assistance is allocated internationally and thus not available 

to USCRTF jurisdictions. 

Training/Workshops 

Population, Health and Environment Basics – An E-Learning Course

This free on-line course, which takes approximately 2.5 hours, links population, environment 

and development. The course offers an insider's view of 1) the basics of integrated PHE 

programming; 2) successful PHE programs from around the world; and 3) tools and resources 

that can help you develop integrated programs. Available at 

http://www.globalhealthlearning.org/ (free registration required). Once logged-in, choose 

“Population, Health, and Environment Basics” from the Course List. 

Publications and Documents 

The following is a partial list of documents produced by USAID that relate to coral reefs or 

environmental programs implementation and evaluation. 

Lessons Learned and Best Practices in the 

Management of Coral Reefs 

This WorldFish publication, supported by USAID, 

presents a review of lessons learned and best practices 

in the management of coral reefs based on the analysis 

of 30 projects funded by the Global Environment 
USAID

USCRTF Coral Profiles 52 

Facility (GEF) related to coral reefs and associated tropical marine ecosystems and 26 non-GEF 

funded projects. The key lessons learned and recommendations are grouped according to eight 

priority issues in coral reef management.

http://www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/LessonsLearned1804%20-%20FINAL.pdf 

USAID Biodiversity Conservation Guide

This guide provides basic information about designing, 

managing, and implementing biodiversity conservation 

programs or activities. The guide is intended for a broad 

audience including USAID mission and Washington staff, 

implementing partners, and multiple stakeholders within and 

across sectors. This extensive document (over 200 pages) 

contains sections that are particularly relevant to coral reefrelated projects, such as marine protected areas, communitybased conservation, fisheries, and others. 

http://rmportal.net/tools/biodiversity-conservation-tools/biodguide-2005/ 

A Programming Manual: Integrating Population, Health and Environment Projects

Achieving environmentally-sustainable development in 

situations of surging population growth, declining 

biodiversity, and chronic poverty requires strategic planning, 

multi-disciplinary interventions and cross-sector linked 

approaches that mirror the livelihood strategies of poor 

households and communities. This manual was designed with 

such a need in mind using evidence from programs in 

Madagascar, the Philippines and other countries where 

integrated approaches to development have been explored and 

brought to scale over the past decade. Download a PDF of the 

guide at: 

http://www.ehproject.org/PDF/phe/phe-usaid_programming_manual2007.pdf 

A Guide for Monitoring and Evaluating Population, Health and Environment Programs:

This guide provides a series of established and evidence-based indicators for measuring 

progress and promoting evaluation of PHE programs in the field. Within the manual, indicators 

are grouped into five programmatic areas of importance: population; health; environment; 

integration; and value added. Each indicator includes a clear definition; measurement level; 

calculation; statement of purpose; data sources; time frame; data collection considerations and 

strengths and weaknesses. The guide is intended to provide a selection of indicators that are 

applicable throughout the diverse PHE community. The goal is that utilization of these key 

indicators will provide common language, reliable information, and quality data that will enable 

the PHE community to compare and assess projects across communities, countries, and program 

areas. The guide is available at: http://www.cpc.unc.edu/measure/publications/pdf/ms-07-25.pdf
US Coast Guard

USCRTF Coral Profiles 53 

U. S. Coast Guard 

Maritime safety, security, and stewardship are enduring roles of the United 

States Coast Guard. These roles reflect long-standing responsibilities which are interrelated 

such that they can best be accomplished by a single military, multi-mission, maritime force. As 

such, the Coast Guard possesses a unique blend of humanitarian, law enforcement, regulatory, 

diplomatic and military capabilities. The Coast Guard protects the vital economic and security 

interests of the United States including the safety and security of the maritime public, our 

natural resources and the value inherent in them, the global transportation system, and the 

integrity of our maritime borders. Accordingly, the Coast Guard strives to eliminate 

environmental damage and natural resource degradation associated with maritime activities, 

including but not limited to maritime transportation, commercial fishing, and recreational 

boating. USGS advances these national interests through the 3.4 million square miles of the U.S 

Exclusive Economic Zone, along our country’s 95,000 miles of shoreline, throughout the high 

seas, and with international partners abroad. 

The Coast Guard’s multi-mission character is defined by its ability to conduct distinct yet 

complementary functions in the maritime domain – law enforcement, national defense, mobility, 

maritime safety, environmental protection, and humanitarian response. The Coast Guard 

enforces laws designed to sustain our nation's fisheries, protect marine mammals and 

endangered species, and conserve the marine environment. In addition, the Coast Guard 

actively promotes pollution prevention and response preparedness, reduces the harmful effects 

of marine debris, enforces laws prohibiting the discharge of oil and the release of hazardous 

substances, and strives to help stem the introduction of non-indigenous invasive species into the 

navigable waters of the United States. The Coast Guard develops regulations and enforces laws 

and international safety, security, and environmental conventions to ensure the safety of fishing 

vessels, recreational boats, commercial passenger, freight and tank vessels, and the maritime 

transportation system through focused prevention, compliance and inspection programs, searchand-rescue, and casualty investigation. The Coast Guard carries out waterways management 

activities to ensure the safe and efficient use of our navigable waterways for domestic 

commerce, international trade, recreational use, national defense, and environmental protection. 

The Coast Guard also serves as America's voice to the International Maritime Organization 

(IMO), addressing maritime issues of a global nature.

The Coast Guard is not an implementing agency under the Coral Reef Protection Executive 

Order 13089, nonetheless, it has a role in coordinating with other agencies and conducting its 

missions to help achieve coral reef protection and conservation. The Coast Guard applies its 

multi-mission capabilities to support other agencies efforts to implement measures necessary to 

research, monitor, manage, and restore coral reef ecosystems. These capabilities are 

summarized in the following mission statements. 

Marine Environmental Protection Mission Statement

The Coast Guard’s Marine Environmental Protection (MEP) mission protects the marine 

environment by averting the introduction of invasive species, stopping unauthorized ocean 

dumping, and preventing the discharge of oil or hazardous substances entering U.S. and 

international waterways. The Coast Guard accomplishes this mission through its prevention and 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 54 

response service delivery processes. The Coast Guard develops regulations and operating 

standards for domestic vessels and marine facilities; represents the U.S. at the International 

Maritime Organization as an advocate for responsible international environmental and 

operational standards; and Coast Guard personnel stationed around the country enforce 

standards by conducting periodic inspections and boardings. When accidents do happen, the 

Coast Guard responds in partnership with other federal agencies, state and local governments 

and the maritime industry to ensure the impacts of a spill are minimized.

Living Marine Resource Law Enforcement Mission Statement

The Coast Guard's Living Marine Resources (LMR) Law Enforcement program provides 

security of the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from foreign fishing vessel 

incursions and protection of our living marine resources to advance national strategies and 

goals. As the lead maritime federal law enforcement agency, USCG provides effective presence 

and professional at-sea enforcement for the conservation and management of living marine 

resources and their environments, to include protected species and critical habitats. In addition, 

the Coast Guard partners to both coordinate its operations and support U.S. Government efforts 

to build capacity of like-minded nations to monitor compliance with various international 

agreements and to deter damaging Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activity. 

Marine Environmental Response Program Statement

The mission of the Coast Guard’s Marine Environmental Response (MER) program is to ensure 

the highest quality of marine environmental response operations for oil and hazardous substance 

within the United States, along our bordering waters, and overseas in support of national 

defense and foreign policy objectives. 

Waterways Management Mission Statement

The Coast Guard’s Waterways Management (WWM) program works in concert with other 

federal agencies, state and local governments, marine industries, maritime associations, and the 

international community to optimize use and champion development of the nation’s marine 

transportation system. 

Authorities and Mandates

The Coast Guard operates under a number of authorities and the agency’s operations, internal 

policies, directives and instructions address the requirements of a suite of laws, regulations, 

treaties, conventions, Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations.

A sample of authorities granted to the Coast Guard with a nexus to coral reef protection include: 

14 U.S.C. 2 establishes the Coast Guard’s broad, multifaceted jurisdictional authority, and 

serves as the statutory basis for all enforcement activities. It reads, in part:

 

The Coast Guard shall enforce or assist in the enforcement of all applicable federal laws on, 

under or over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. 

14 U.S.C. 89 authorizes the Coast Guard to make inquiries, examinations, inspections, searches, 

seizures, and arrests upon the high seas and waters over which the United States has jurisdiction, 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 55 

for the prevention, detection, investigation and interdiction of violations of laws of the United 

States. 

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act 

Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. §1801), the Coast Guard is charged with 

protecting the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, which is the world’s largest, from unlawful 

incursions by foreign vessels. The Coast Guard also enforces, in partnership with NOAA 

Fisheries, U.S. domestic fisheries regulations developed by regional Fishery Management 

Councils and promulgated by the Secretary of Commerce. In addition, the Coast Guard works 

closely with the Department of State and the National Marine Fisheries Service to enforce 

international living marine resource agreements. 

National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. § 1826a-1826c) 

Coast Guard operations support the implementation of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act 

which provides for the designation of discrete areas of the marine environment to promote 

comprehensive management of the nation’s unique ecological, historical, recreational, and 

aesthetic marine characteristics.

Ports and Waterways Safety Act (33 USC 1221-1232) 

With the passage of this Act, Congress reiterated that navigation and vessel safety, protection of 

the marine environment, and safety and security of United States ports and waterways are 

matters of major national importance. The Act establishes the role of the Coast Guard to protect 

these interests.

National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (40 CFR 300) 

The Coast Guard holds positions as vice chair for the National Response Team and co-chair of 

the Regional Response Teams which implement the National Oil and Hazardous Substances 

Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This plan establishes a framework for responding to 

discharges of oil and releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants. 

Safety of Life in Navigable Waters (33 CFR 100) 

The Coast Guard maintains regulations under 33 CFR to provide effective control over regattas 

and marine parades conducted on the navigable waters of the United States so as to insure safety 

of life in the regatta or marine parade area. The permitting of marine events under these 

regulations takes into account marine environmental issues such as adverse impacts to coral 

reefs.

Coral Reef Protection Implementation Plan

The Coast Guard’s Coral Reef Protection Implementation Plan is established by Commandant 

Instruction 1600.2. The Implementation Plan outlines procedures to ensure that Coast Guard 

operations do not themselves adversely affect coral reef systems. As part of the Implementation 

Plan, District Commanders work with regional offices of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries 

Service, National Marine Sanctuaries Offices and regional Fishery Management Councils to 

determine coral-focused enforcement priorities and develop coral-focused enforcement 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 56 

operations. In addition, Coast Guard Aids-to-Navigation and Waterway Management activities 

are cognizant of the need to ensure that coral reefs are protected from damage. The 

Implementation Plan also incorporates a requirement that Coast Guard permitting of marine 

events consider the effects of proposed events on nearby coral reefs. Finally, an emphasis is 

relayed to Coast Guard Operational Commanders to allocate resource hours, subject to 

availability of funds and considering all mission priorities, for enforcement of regional fishery 

management regulations in coral reef areas. The Coast Guard’s Coral Reef Protection 

Implementation Plan is available on the Coral Reef Task Force website. 

Regional and Local Liaison with Coral Reef Managers 

Detailed planning for coral reef protection and conservation measures is often performed at the 

local level. Further, it is likely that regional or local bodies will be best equipped to advise on 

local coral reef issues and to coordinate Coast Guard actions at the field level. Accordingly, 

District Commander staffs in the Seventh, Eighth and Fourteenth Districts are charged with 

ensuring the Coast Guard is appropriately involved with regional and local coral reef advisory 

or management coordination bodies. 

Marine Event Permitting

Under Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 100, the Coast Guard issues permits for 

organized marine events such as regattas, marine parades, and power boat races after 

determining that the event can be conducted without unacceptable adverse safety risks or 

environmental impacts. Potential impacts of proposed marine events on coral reefs are 

considered by field units that issue such permits.

Organizational Structure 

The Coast Guard’s operational model is flexible, efficient, and effective across a wide range of 

complex maritime scenarios. To implement this operational model, the Coast Guard relies on a 

delegated command structure, ensuring that adequate authority is vested in the local and 

regional commands that are most able to tailor the deployment of Coast Guard resources to meet 

specific threats and address particular vulnerabilities. The Service’s command structure 

recognizes the importance of responsiveness to local and regional priorities within the context of 

national interests.

Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C. accomplishes strategic work that supports 

effective field operations including the development of Service doctrine, policy and strategy. 

Within Coast Guard Headquarters, the Assistant Commandant for Maritime Safety, Security, 

and Stewardship (CG-5) represents the Coast Guard on the Coral Reef Task Force. 

Two commands, the Pacific Area Command for the Pacific region and Atlantic Area Command 

for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico manage Coast Guard activities in both a regional and 

operational context. Pacific and Atlantic Area Commanders oversee Coast Guard mission 

effectiveness and coordinate the deployment of the Service’s major cutters to project a strong 

presence in respective maritime regions. Area Commanders are supported by multiple District 

Commanders who deploy aircraft and boats in coordination with major cutter deployments. In 
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addition, District Commanders employ additional Coast Guard resources to ensure mission 

effectiveness across the Service’s maritime security, safety, and stewardship roles.

U.S. Coast Guard Areas and Districts 

The Coast Guard Districts with adjacent tropical coral reef ecosystems include; Districts Seven 

and Eight encompassing U.S. waters of the Southeast United States, Gulf of Mexico, and 

Caribbean, and District Fourteen, which encompasses U.S. waters surrounding Hawaii and the 

U.S. Commonwealth, territories and possessions in the Western and Central Pacific.

Programs and Activities

The Coast Guard performs missions and has regulatory responsibilities that address a number of 

the threats to and management of coral reefs. These include waterways management including 

maintaining aids to navigation, regulation of anchorages and vessel routing, living marine 

resources law enforcement, pollution and hazardous material spill response, and mitigation of 

the introduction of aquatic invasive species. As the U.S. representative at IMO, the Coast Guard 

is also engaged in international efforts to protect coral reefs from maritime activities.

Living Marine Resources Law Enforcement Division 

Within Coast Guard Headquarters, the Office of Law Enforcement Policy’s (CG-531) Living 

Marine Resources Law Enforcement Division (CG-5314) coordinates Coast Guard Program 

involvement. In addition, this office serves as the Coast Guard’s Program Manager for the 

Coast Guard’s Living Marine Resources Law Enforcement Program. Ocean Guardian is the 

Coast Guard’s long-range strategy to provide effective and professional at-sea enforcement to 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 58 

advance national goals for the conservation and management of living marine resources and 

their environment. Ocean Guardian provides a framework for the Coast Guard’s work with 

NOAA and with the State Department to ensure an integrated national strategy for fisheries 

enforcement. It also provides a framework for the Coast Guard to help the nation recover and 

maintain healthy populations of marine protected species. Ocean Guardian is publicly available 

at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg531/LMR.asp.

a. Fisheries and Marine Protected Species Law Enforcement. It is reasonable to expect 

that coral reef resources will move under Regional Fisheries Management plans over the 

next several years and that restrictions on fishing activities will increase on or near coral 

reefs. Coast Guard resources conduct enforcement operations for such restrictions as 

part of the Service’s overall maritime law enforcement effort. 

b. Marine Protected Area (MPA) Enforcement. A “Marine Protected Area” is a 

collective term used to describe a number of different approaches to geographic based 

area protection. For remote marine protected areas, such as the Papahānaumokuākea

Marine National Monument in the Northwest Hawaiian Island Chain and the coral reefs 

protected within the Monument’s boundaries, long-range Coast Guard assets are the 

logical and appropriate platform for monitoring, surveillance and enforcement. The 

Coast Guard coordinates and prioritizes enforcement actions for remote marine protected 

areas with the National Marine Fisheries Service and other stakeholders to ensure that 

the Coast Guard’s limited long range enforcement assets are deployed to best effect. 

c. Cooperative Domestic Law Enforcement Efforts. As marine protected areas are 

developed that incorporate management principles resulting in Marine Sanctuaries, 

fishery reserves, restricted anchoring areas, maritime traffic areas to be avoided and as 

other coral reef conservation measures come on-line, the Coast Guard is experiencing 

increased calls for at-sea enforcement patrols and cooperative involvement in 

coordinating among various stakeholders to achieve management conservation, 

protection, and utilization goals. To the extent possible within existing mission priorities 

and resource constraints, such requests are incorporated into mission planning and 

execution. 

The Office of Incident Management & Preparedness 

This office (CG-533) serves as Program Manager for prevention and response operations 

addressing maritime pollution incidents, marine accidents and other threats to public safety and 

the marine environment. 

a. Pollution Response Operations in Coral Reef Areas. Pollution response operations in 

or near coral reef areas are conducted under the provisions of the National Contingency 

Plan (40 CFR 300) to maximize net environmental benefit in accordance with 

stakeholder input and the best science available. Consistent application of scientific 

principles that are part of a pre-approved decision protocol published in the Area 

Response Plan’s sensitive area annex is far preferable to having to rely on 

determinations of ‘best available science’ made in the midst of a crisis response. 

Planning guidelines on environmental sensitivities, salvage and lightering operations and 

wreck and debris removal issues are provided to Coast Guard Captain’s of the Port who 
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are pre-designated as Federal On-Scene Coordinators in areas where coral reefs are 

found. 

Coast Guard Marine Debris Recovery Efforts surrounding Maro Reef and Midway Atoll in the 

Papahanoumokuakea Marine National Monument – U.S. Coast Guard Photo (2008)

b. Restoration, Mitigation and Debris Removal. In addition to the enforcement of 

protective regulations, the Coast Guard assists agency partners by providing assets to 

assist with the removal of abandoned fishing gear and other debris affecting coral reefs. 

 In the spring of 2008, Coast Guard Cutter WALNUT, a 225' buoy tender, participated in a 

marine debris removal operation in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. 

Partnering with NOAA and the University of Hawaii, Coast Guard was able to remove more 

than 28 tons of trash from the area. The 18 day multi-agency effort included a 2,900-mile trip to 

Māro Reef and Midway atoll to remove as much marine debris as possible from the water 

surrounding the monument using the ship's crane, lift bags, and divers. This effort removed 

more than 510 metric tons of debris from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands since 1996. 

The Director of Prevention Policy

The Director of Prevention Policy (CG-54) develops and maintains policy, standards, and 

program alignment for the prevention activities of the Coast Guard to achieve Marine Safety, 

Security, and Stewardship mission success. As the nation's lead agency for waterways 

management, port safety and security, and vessel safety inspection and certification, the Coast 

Guard maintains a continuous and clear focus not only on the prevention of marine accidents but 

also on the response measures needed to cope with manmade and natural disasters. The Coast 

Guard also is responsible for maintaining and patrolling the safe and efficient navigable 

waterways system needed to support domestic commerce, facilitate international trade, and 

ensure the continued availability of the military sealift fleet required for national defense. A 

safe and efficient navigable waterway also protects the marine environment, especially sensitive 

or protected elements such as coral reef systems. 
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Under the Director of Prevention Policy, the Office of Waterways Management (CG-541) 

develops policy and oversees multi-program alignment in the pursuit of a safe, secure, efficient 

and environmentally sound waterways system. 

a. Navigation Safety & Traffic Management. As the designated lead representative for 

the United States on maritime safety and marine environmental protection issues, the 

Coast Guard works through the Safety of Navigation Sub-Committee of the International 

Maritime Organization (IMO) to improve navigational performance and technical 

standards embodied in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and 

other IMO instruments. The Coast Guard works in concert with NOAA, through other 

relevant international technical standards bodies to improve navigation technology and 

practice. The Coast Guard also works through existing domestic statutory authority to 

establish appropriate vessel traffic management measures such as Traffic Separation 

Schemes, Regulated Navigation Areas, No Anchoring Zones, establishment of 

Anchorages. 

b. Aids to Navigation (ATON) Program. Navigational aids have long been erected on 

(fixed aids) or placed near (floating aids) coral reefs in order to warn mariners of 

navigational hazards or to define safe passages through the reef systems. While the 

impetus to deploy aids to navigation in coral areas was not originally motivated by a 

desire to protect the reefs per se, significant protection for the reefs has been an 

important additional benefit of providing navigational assistance to vessels transiting 

nearby. District Commanders whose areas of responsibility include coral reefs evaluate 

existing aid systems near coral reefs for adequacy. The evaluations are conducted in 

consultation with designated Resource Trustees, if any, and other concerned local 

stakeholders, and consider all available data on vessel casualties and other pertinent 

factors. 

c. Anchorage Management. Under the Ports and Waterways Safety Act and other 

authorities, the Coast Guard can establish anchorages of several types to promote safety 

and protect the environment while also meeting the needs of commerce. District 

Commanders periodically survey anchoring regulations and to identify any needed 

improvements to Coast Guard anchorage regulations and to develop appropriate 

anchorage management practices and divisions of labor between the Coast Guard, other 

federal agencies and state authorities. To the degree that maritime anchorages exist in 

and around coral reef habitats, interested coral stakeholders and resource trustees are 

highly encouraged to coordinate their management goals and objectives with the Coast 

Guard. 

d. Creation of Mooring Fields. Permanent moorings have been used to good effect in 

preventing anchor damage to reefs frequented by recreational divers and fishers. To be 

effective, permanent moorings generally require regulations mandating the use of 

permanent moorings within designated areas and prohibiting nearby normal anchoring. 

Coast Guard operational assets may be available, on a not-to-interfere basis and pursuant 

to a properly executed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), to help install or maintain 

permanent mooring fields established by other government agencies. In addition it is 

useful to facilitate cooperative and coordinated enforcement efforts supporting 

mandatory mooring fields. 
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Under the Director of Prevention Policy, the Office of Boating Safety and Auxiliary (CG542) is dedicated to improving the knowledge, skills, and abilities of boaters as well as 

coordinating with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, a uniformed volunteer force that donate 

thousands of hours in support of Coast Guard missions. 

Public Education and Outreach

In many areas, careless or inattentive operation of recreational and commercial vessels is a 

significant threat to coral reef health. The Coast Guard, through its Sea Partners and 

Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Programs and also through its boating safety educational 

efforts, helps to educate the boating public and commercial marine operators to address various 

hazards. Coral reef conservation and protection information is included in recreational boating 

safety courses taught by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, coral reef preservation handouts are 

distributed to students in appropriate areas, and Coast Guard personnel interact directly with the 

boating public at public events. 

In 2008, the Coast Guard’s Marine Environmental Protection outreach & education program, 

Sea Partners, was very active. In 2008 the Sea Partners program worked with the Officer Snook 

Water Pollution Program to develop two new resources: a "Prevent Pollution on Coral Reefs" 

publication for school students and the "Help Officer Snook Protect Coral Reefs" coloring book 

for children. In addition to outreach and education promoting protection of coral reefs, the Sea 

Partners program reaches over 300,000 people annually addressing endangered species 

protection, aquatic nuisance species, plastics, oil spill prevention, beach clean-ups, and illegal 

garbage dumping. 

As part of the Commercial Regulations and Standards Directorate (CG-52), the Office of 

Operating & Environmental Standards (CG-522) develops national regulations and policies for 

marine environmental protection and influences the development of global marine 

environmental protection agreements to integrate U.S. and international environmental 

standards and public policy. 

a. Facilities Engineering and Environmental Compliance. The Coast Guard carefully 

manages shore facilities in coral reef areas for conditions that could degrade nearby 

reefs, or reef-related ecosystems such as mangroves. Particular attention is given to oil 

and hazardous material storage and to potential discharges, both point and non-point 

sources. Future facility construction activities near coral reef areas will incorporate 

measures to mitigate any impacts by reducing sedimentation and discharges to the 

maximum extent practicable. 

b. Non-indigenous and Invasive Species Mitigation Efforts. Non-indigenous and 

invasive species can be a significant threat to coral reef health. The Non-indigenous and 

Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 established the Aquatic Nuisance 

Species Task Force (ANSTF), a multi-agency task force to deal with aquatic invasive 

species. The Coast Guard is a member of the ANSTF and is fully engaged in U.S. 

Government efforts to mitigate the introduction of non-indigenous and invasive species. 

c. Vessel Discharge Regulations. Internationally, vessel discharges are governed by the 

International Convention on the Pollution of the Sea by Ships (MARPOL). Various 

annexes to MARPOL cover topics such as oil, garbage, and noxious liquids. The 

MARPOL Convention and its annexes are under the auspices of the International 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 62 

Maritime Organization (IMO), a special arm of the United Nations. On the domestic 

front, jurisdiction over vessel discharges can be held by federal, state or local agencies 

depending on the class of vessel in question, the nature of the discharge and the extent of 

area affected by a given regulation. 

International Year of the Reef

 In addition to the Coast Guard’s Sea Partner Program and vessel operator and public boating 

campaigns that stress the importance of safe navigation and minimizing marine pollution, the 

Coast Guard has focused on specific coral reef protection and conservation education and 

outreach efforts in coordination with international, national, regional, and local information 

campaigns.

 

In support of the International Year of the Reef in 2008, the Coast Guard helped sponsor the 11th

International Coral Reef Symposium hosted by the United States in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

The Symposium was attended by over 3,500 people from 75 countries. One of two Coast Guard 

booths provided overviews of Coast Guard operational efforts such as marine debris removal, 

preventing and responding to coral injury events, and maritime law enforcement patrols 

addressing fisheries management prohibitions. The second exhibit featured the Coast Guard’s 

Sea Partners program and included print and visual media displays regarding coral reef 

protection. 

Coast Guard Actions That May Affect Coral Reefs

Executive Order 13089 requires that agency decisions affecting coral reefs are made with full 

consideration of stakeholder concerns and that actions are effectively coordinated between 

relevant agencies. In order to satisfy the requirement, the Coast Guard utilizes several tools:

a. Coast Guard Coral Reef Implementation Plan is available on the CRTF website. 

b. The Coast Guard’s Annual Performance Report to Congress includes annual activity 

reports on all Coast Guard statutory missions. 

c. USCRTF Membership. The Coast Guard is an active member of the USCRTF, 

supporting work to coordinate agency activities specifically related to coral reef 

conservation and protection. 

d. Coast Guard operations in Coral Reef areas. Internal Coast Guard navigation safety 

standards are incorporated into unit standing orders which provide comprehensive 

and effective measures for avoiding accidental groundings and other navigational 

mishaps by which Coast Guard cutters and boats could threaten coral reefs. Coast 

Guard personnel operating in or near coral reefs remain vigilant when operating 

around coral reef areas. As a general rule, floating units avoid operating near coral 

reefs to the extent possible given the requirements of the mission being undertaken. 

Anchoring in coral areas is also avoided. However, when exigent circumstances 

require a Coast Guard vessel to anchor in known coral areas, every effort is made to 

avoid anchoring on or near visible coral formations that could be adversely affected 

by the vessels hull or props, the sweep of the anchor chain, or the anchor itself. 

e. Discharges from Coast Guard Vessels. The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships 

(APPS) is the domestic implementing legislation for the MARPOL convention in the 

United States. APPS applies, in part, to public vessels, including Coast Guard 

vessels. Various exemptions notwithstanding, it is Coast Guard policy that our 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 63 

vessels will strive to comply with all U.S. ratified MARPOL Annexes. Specifically, 

Coast Guard vessels either return wastes to shore or dispose of them at sea in 

accordance with the standards established under APPS and MARPOL.

Capacity Building & Funding Opportunities 

The Pacific Area Commander coordinates the Coast Guard’s participation in DOD’s annual 

Pacific Combatant Commander’s Cooperative Afloat Readiness and Awareness Training 

(CARAT) deployments. CARAT exercises are designed to enhance regional cooperation with 

Pacific Island nations and result in building stronger diplomatic ties between the United States 

partnering governments as well as the strengthening of professional skills on the part of all 

participating entities. Coast Guard CARAT activities in the past have focused on meetings with 

host country law enforcement, marine police and military communities and emphasized 

maritime security, general law enforcement training, co-operative search and rescue exercises 

and other forms of operational maritime cooperation. Based on host country desires, future 

CARAT activities may be organized to incorporate the transfer of best practices to protect coral 

reefs and other key environmental protection and marine stewardship initiatives. 

The Coast Guard’s budget, like its organizational structure, is allocated to execute operational 

missions. The Coast Guard is not authorized nor funded to provide grants. However, the 

Service often partners with other agencies and coordinates with stakeholders engaged in work 

supportive of or reliant upon Coast Guard missions. 
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U.S. Department of Agriculture 

The mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is to provide 

leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on 

sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management. While USDA is 

intrinsically a land-focused agency, the connection between land use and coral reefs makes the 

USDA a vital partner in reef conservation. USDA actively participates on the USCRTF via the 

Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 

is the Department of Agriculture's principal agency for providing conservation technical 

assistance to private landowners, conservation districts, Tribes, and other organizations through 

a national network of locally respected, technically skilled, professional conservationists. 

NRCS provides products and services that enable people to be good stewards of the Nation’s 

soil, water, and related natural resources on non-Federal lands. Through its staff of professional 

conservationists, NRCS delivers consistent, science-based, site-specific solutions to help private 

landowners voluntarily conserve, maintain, and improve the Nation's natural resource base. The 

USDA, and by extension, NRCS, focuses on land as the primary beneficiary of the work of the 

Department. Work by USDA can indirectly benefit near-shore coral reefs via direct benefits to 

the land. 

Authorities and Mandates

The Farm Bill

The USDA operates primarily under authorization by the Farm Bill. H.R. 110-6124, the Food, 

Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) was 

recently reauthorized in June, 2008. 

Organizational Structure 

USDA is divided into 17 agencies, 12 offices (at the headquarters 

level) and 7 mission areas. The mission areas of USDA include: 

Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services; Food, Nutrition and 

Consumer Services; Food Safety; Marketing & Regulatory 

Programs; Research, Education & Economics; Rural Development; 

and Natural Resources and Environment. 

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) NRCS, the USCRTF representative, is one 

of USDA’s 17 agencies. NRCS is located under the Natural Resources and Environment 

mission area. 

The NRCS Organization

To find contact information for local and state NRCS offices, go to: 

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/organization/regions.html 

Offices

• Headquarters Leadership 
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• NRCS Organizational Chart 

• NRCS Regional Map

• Office of the Chief

o Chief 

o Associate Chief 

o Strategic Natural Resource Issues 

o Public Affairs Division 

o Legislative Affairs Division 

o Civil Rights 

o Financial Management 

o State Offices 

 Local Service Centers 

o National Centers 

Deputy Areas

o Management

Leadership

Contacts Directory

FAQ's

o Programs

Leadership

Contacts Directory

FAQ's

o Science and Technology

Leadership

Contacts Directory

FAQ's

o Soil Survey and Resource Assessment

Leadership

Contacts Directory

FAQ's

o Strategic Planning and Accountability

Leadership

Contacts Directory

FAQ's

States

USDA-NRCS is a decentralized agency. NRCS has State Office, Area Office, and Field staffs in 

every state in the U.S. With approximately 2,500 field offices, NRCS staff are located in the 

majority of the counties across the Nation. In addition, NRCS has staff in the Pacific Island and 

Caribbean Areas.

Each state and territory has a State Technical Committee that is responsible for developing 

recommendations for the State Conservationist or Area Director (lead NRCS employee in the 

State or the Pacific Islands and Caribbean Areas) to consider with regards to the natural resource 

issues and concerns in that State. The State Conservationist/Area Director takes these 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 66 

recommendations under advisement when making decisions about how the resources in that 

State will be allocated.

State Technical Committee

The Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, authorizes the State Technical Committee to 

provide recommendations for establishing technical guidelines and program criteria and 

priorities necessary to carry out conservation provisions of the Farm Bill. The committee also 

helps assure that civil rights requirements in program delivery are met. Additionally, the State 

Technical Committee provides recommendations on a number of issues within a variety of 

conservation programs. Although the State Technical Committee has no implementation or 

enforcement authority, USDA gives strong consideration to the Committees' recommendations. 

State Technical Committees serve in an advisory capacity to the Natural Resources 

Conservation Service (NRCS) and other agencies of the USDA on the implementation of the 

natural resources conservation provisions of Farm Bill legislation. Committees are intended to 

include members from a wide variety of natural resource and agricultural interests. Chaired by 

the NRCS State Conservationist in each state, these Committees are composed of 

representatives from Federal and state natural resource agencies, American Indian Tribes, 

agricultural and environmental organizations, and agricultural producers.

The Committees meet regularly to provide information, analysis, and recommendations to 

appropriate USDA officials. Individuals or groups wanting to participate as members on a State 

Technical Committee may submit requests to the State Conservationist explaining their interest 

and relevant credentials. 

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) made the following changes 

to State Technical Committees: 

• Expands agricultural and forestry involvement on Committees; 

• Modifies responsibilities of Committees; 

• Exempts Local Working Groups from the Federal Advisory Committee Act; 

• Expands State Technical Committees’ authority related to reviewing Local Working Groups’ 

efforts to address State program priorities; 

• Supports standardization of Committee operations through the development and publication of 

standard operating procedures; and 

• Reaffirms the role of the State Technical Committees as advisory in nature. 

For more information about State Technical Committees and other Farm Bill topics, please refer 

to the State Technical Committee Web site: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/StateTech/

The State Technical Committee may advise the NRCS State Conservationist on many issues, 

such as: 

• State program management policies and procedures 

• Technical programmatic recommendations 

• Statewide public information and outreach campaigns 

• Identifying significant statewide natural resource concerns

• Guidelines for developing ranking criteria for evaluating applications

• Guidance on eligible conservation practices 
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• Technical guidance on conservation practices, including new, innovative practices 

• Cost-share rates and incentive payment limits and methods of payment

• Identifying, monitoring, and analyzing performance indicators 

• Evaluating and reporting program impacts on natural resources and the environment 

• Coordinating with other Federal, State, tribal, and local public and private activities

To work with USDA NRCS, state agencies and organizations should find the local USDA 

Service Center. Many USDA Service Centers are designed to be a single location where 

customers can access the services provided by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources 

Conservation Service, and the Rural Development agencies, and can be located at: 

http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app

Note: Guam USDA Service Center also serves American Samoa, Federated States of 

Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands and Mariana Islands. 

Programs & Projects 

USDA programs are designed for the primary function of achieving improvements in land use 

practices and conservation. The secondary benefits from success in these areas are many, 

including better water quality conditions for some coral reefs. More information on USDA 

programs can be found at: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2008

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

A voluntary conservation program for farmers and 

ranchers that promotes agricultural production and 

environmental quality as compatible national goals. 

EQIP has the largest funds of all USDA conservation 

programs and offers financial and technical help to 

assist participants install or implement structural and 

management practices on eligible agricultural land. 

NRCS, working through the 2002 Farm Bill, made 

$30 million available for application to land-based 

conservation efforts within the Pacific Islands Area

through the Environmental Quality Incentives 

Program. 

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)

The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to 

protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The USDA NRCS provides technical 

and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts. The NRCS goal 

is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on 

every acre enrolled in the program. This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish 

long-term conservation and wildlife practices and protection.

Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP)

CEAP is a multi-agency effort headed by the USDA to quantify environmental effects and 

benefits of conservation practices. CEAP began in 2003 as a multi-agency effort to quantify the 

environmental benefits of conservation practices used by private landowners participating in 

selected U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs. The project consists 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 68 

of three components: National Assessment, Watershed Assessment Studies, and Bibliographies 

and Literature Reviews. 

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/TECHNICAL/NRI/ceap/index.html 

Wildlife Habitat Incentives (WHIP)

WHIP is a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat 

primarily on private land. Through WHIP, USDA - NRCS provides both technical and financial 

assistance to establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat. WHIP agreements between NRCS 

and the participant generally last from 5 to 10 years from the date the agreement is signed. 

WHIP has proven to be a highly effective and widely accepted program across the country. By 

targeting wildlife habitat projects on all lands and aquatic areas, WHIP provides assistance to 

conservation minded landowners. 

The Conservation Technical Assistance Program (CTA) 

CTA is a voluntary program that provides technical assistance, supported by science-based 

technology and tools, to farmers, ranchers and other conservation partners to help conserve, 

maintain, and improve their natural resources. The CTA Program is the foundation of NRCS 

conservation technical assistance and serves to focus on natural resource issues at the local level 

that are of local, State, multi-state, and national concern. The CTA Program works in 

partnership with locally led decision-making processes and other conservation programs to 

address national priorities in concert with local and State needs. The CTA Program is the 

foundation for the NRCS conservation assistance infrastructure and brings to bear the technical 

expertise to much of the Nation's private lands and Tribal lands to get sound conservation 

solutions applied on the ground.

The voluntary program is delivered to private individuals, groups of decision makers, Tribal 

governments, local units of governments, and non-governmental organizations, the District of 

Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 

Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the 

Marshall Islands.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cta/ 

Emergency Watershed Program (EWP)

The purpose of the EWP program is to undertake emergency measures, including the purchase 

of flood plain easements, for runoff retardation and soil erosion prevention to safeguard lives 

and property from floods, drought, and the products of erosion on any watershed whenever fire, 

flood or any other natural occurrence is causing or has caused a sudden impairment of the 

watershed.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/EWP/ 

Florida

The Emergency Watershed Program

The program helped local communities remove household and construction debris as well as 

vegetative refuse that was deposited in the waters after three hurricanes (Charley, Frances, and 

Jeanne) struck South Florida in September and October 2004. These hurricanes left over 

125,000 tons of debris in 1,668 miles (2,684 kilometers) of rivers, streams, canals, and 
USDA

USCRTF Coral Profiles 69 

waterways. The debris removal effort prevented much of this material from moving downstream 

and offshore onto coral reef ecosystems. 

http://www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov/

Caribbean Area

Jobos Bay Special Emphasis Watershed Study

A Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) located 

in south-central Puerto Rico, the Jobos Bay Watershed study 

was initiated by USDA and NOAA to enhance collaborative 

partnerships through the USCRTF. The project began in FY 

2007 and is expected to run through FY 2009. The main 

objective of the study is to determine the environmental 

effects of upland agricultural conservation practices on 

coastal ecosystems in tropical habitats. 

As the first Special Emphasis Watershed established in the 

tropics, the Jobos Bay project has formed a collaborative partnership to highlight interactions 

between upland and coastal ecosystems and address spatially complex natural resource issues in 

coastal environments. USDA is conducting field surveys and assisting landowners with the 

application of conservation practices, while NOAA is completing Summit to Sea modeling, and 

providing maps and GIS data. NRCS serves as the lead coordinating agency, and is working 

with local organizations in the implementation portion of the project. The Jobos Bay Special 

Emphasis Watershed fact sheet can be found at: 

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/coral_reef/Jobos_Bay_(CEAPFact)02-15-08.pdf 

Pacific Islands Area

Through the 2002 Farm Bill - Environmental Quality 

Incentives Program (EQIP), NRCS made available 

$30 million for the application of land-based 

conservation efforts within the Pacific Islands Area.

In the Pacific Islands, NRCS obligated 369 EQIP 

contracts from FY 2004-2006, targeting over 63,000 

acres (255 square kilometers) for land-based 

conservation treatment. Many Pacific Island 

jurisdictions are impacted from agricultural swine 

production facilities. Working with local partners in 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 

CNMI, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, and the 

Federated States of Micronesia FSM, USDA and EPA have implemented demonstration 

projects for alternate waste management systems for piggeries. Dry litter waste systems and 

portable pen systems eliminate the use of water needed to remove waste. The dry litter waste 

systems not only reduce the risk of the disease leptospirosis to humans, but also reduce nutrient 

loading to coral reefs. This project has been extremely effective in reducing pollution. Specific 

to American Samoa, the government has encouraged farmers to move piggeries away from 

streams, which has resulted in decreased bacteria counts in the near-shore waters adjacent to the 

outflows of those streams. Information on this and other USDA projects in the Pacific region 

can be found at: http://www.hi.nrcs.usda.gov/ 
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Resources Available 

USDA has assisted states, territories, jurisdictions and Freely Associated States members of the 

USCRTF in the implementation of the USCRTF - Local Action Strategies. These LAS serve as 

one vehicle for members to implement conservation strategies developed by the Task Force. 

Key tasks within the conservation strategies include reduction in non-point pollution and 

modifications in coastal development. 

Technical Assistance 

Field Office Technical Guides

NRCS Technical Guides are the primary 

scientific references for NRCS. They contain 

technical information about the conservation of 

soil, water, air, and related plant and animal 

resources. The standards and specifications 

developed for the application of conservation 

practices, which are kept in the Field Office 

Technical Guide, apply specifically to the 

geographic area for where they are to be implemented. The Field Office Technical Guides 

(FOTGs) are available electronically as eFOTGs at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Technical/efotg/ 

Each State eFOTG has area-specific content presented within five sections: 

Section I: General references

Section II: Soil and site information

Section III: Conservation management systems 

Section IV: Practice standards and specifications 

Section V: Conservation efforts 

High resolution geographical maps, watershed, cultural 

resources and protected species listings can be found in 

Section I of the eFOTG. The Hawai`i eFOTG contains 

additional information on the Pacific basin, including 

high quality maps of Guam, Truk, Palau, Yap, among 

other areas (Section I, C3). 

Maps, Imagery, Data & Analysis 

The NRCS website contains additional resource information including databases on soil, water 

and climate. The site also has links to the National Resource Inventory database, the National 

Cartography and Geospatial Center and the Geospatial Data Gateway – providing one-stop 

shopping for natural resources or environmental data at anytime, from anywhere, to anyone. 

These resources can be accessed from this link:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/maps.html 

Funding Opportunities

The majority of the NRCS financial assistance funds are available to eligible private individuals 

through State allocations. State Conservationists review State Technical Committee 

recommendations for their respective locality, and award the funds based on Farm Bill program 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 71 

applications and the State Conservationists’ needs assessments. USDA funding opportunities in 

addition to those mentioned in the “Programs” section above include the following: 

CSREES National Research Initiative

The National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program (NRI) at the Cooperative State 

Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) is charged with funding research, 

education, and extension activities to address key problems of national and regional importance 

in biological, environmental, physical, and social sciences relevant to agriculture, food, the 

environment, and communities on a peer-reviewed, competitive basis.

http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/nri/nri.html 

Pacific Islands Conservation Security Program

The Conservation Security Program is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical 

assistance to promote the conservation and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and 

animal life, and other conservation purposes on Tribal and private working lands. 

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) 

CIG is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative 

conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in 

environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. Under 

CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds are used to award competitive grants to 

non-Federal governmental or non-governmental organizations, Tribes, or individuals. CIG 

enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer 

and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the Nation's most 

pressing natural resource concerns.

USDA - Rural Development Agency

The Rural Development Agency’s financial programs support essential public facilities and 

services. Many of the efforts funded are water-related, including water treatment and water 

quality projects. Rural Development funds promote economic development by supporting loans 

to businesses, and offers technical assistance to help agricultural and other cooperatives improve 

their services. From FY 2001 to 2008, Rural Development has obligated over $111 billion to 

States and Puerto Rico for rural development projects. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ 

Publications and Documents 

Electronic Field Office Technical Guides

Described in technical assistance section.

Hawai`i’s Local Action Strategy to Address Land-Based 

Pollution Threats to Coral Reefs

 (Developed in conjunction with the state of Hawai`i, EPA, NOAA, 

and others). This document details threats to coral reefs specific to 

Hawai`i, and lists proposed and ongoing actions on an island-byisland basis (83 pages). 

http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/water/cleanwater/prc/pdf/LAS.CR-LBP_fnl_3-22-04.pdf 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 72 

Department of Defense - Navy

The mission of the Department of Defense (DoD) is to provide the 

military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our 

country.

From ridge to reef, the DoD manages a variety of terrestrial, freshwater and 

marine locations which are held in trust in support of its mission. The DoD mission requires 

continuous and evolving training to achieve the goals of A Cooperative Strategy for 21st 

Century Seapower, the new Maritime Strategy of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and 

Coast Guard. While DoD is focused on achieving its military goals, it recognizes the connection 

between sound resource management and continuing access to natural areas for training. 

Militarily authorized, funded, or carried out actions are designed minimize alterations of 

ecosystems. 

Military resource stewardship programs and facility management plans have resulted in many 

DoD facilities becoming islands of undeveloped habitat, even de facto reserves for a wide array 

of species and ecosystems, including commercially and ecologically vital coral reefs. 

All of the DoD is a member of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, represented through its 

Executive Agent, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and 

Environment (ASN(I&E)). The Army Corps of Engineers is independently represented on the 

U.S. Coral Reef Task Force as a civilian regulatory agency. The Coast Guard, which functions 

as a specialized Service under the Navy in time of war or when directed by the President, is also 

independently represented on the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force.

Authorities 

DoD is authorized to manage natural resources on property under its control. Major drivers for 

natural resource management are federal laws such as the Sikes Act, Clean Water Act, Clean 

Air Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and various Executive 

Orders including Executive Order 13089 for Coral Reef Protection. DoD recognizes that coral 

reefs are resources which require special protection in internal policy, directive and instruction. 
DOD - Navy

USCRTF Coral Profiles 73 

Policies 

The DoD and the Military Services manage natural resources under authority of the Sikes Act 

and also have trustee responsibility for those resources. The Military Services are charged by 

DoD Instruction 4715.3 “Natural Resources Conservation Program” to sustain access for 

military training and testing at DoD facilities while ensuring that the natural and cultural 

resources under their care are preserved for future generations. To accomplish this far-reaching 

goal requires substantial planning, programming, and budgeting to maintain compliance with all 

applicable laws and regulations. 

Organizational Structure 

The DoD is made up of a number of component organizations 

including the four Military Services: Air Force, Army, Navy, 

and Marine Corps. Each Service owns, leases and manages a 

variety of developed and undeveloped locations required to 

support its mission. In some cases, a location may be in use 

by agreement with a foreign government. Each facility is 

managed by a regional team of civilian and military staff. 

Most DoD locations directly affecting coral reefs are 

managed by the Navy. 

Locations

DoD is one of the world’s largest “landlords” with a physical plant consisting of more than 

571,200 facilities (buildings, structures and utilities) located on more than 3,700 sites, on nearly 

30 million acres. DoD maintains military installations in the vicinity of coral reef ecosystems 

around the globe including locations around Hawaii, Commonwealth of Northern Marianas 

Islands, Guam, Wake Atoll, Kwajalein Atoll, and Okinawa in the Pacific Ocean; Key West and 

Panama City, Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Atlantic/Caribbean 

Ocean; and, Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. 

Because military lands and waters are often protected from human exploitation, they include 

some of the Nation’s most significant natural resources. The Sikes Act, as amended in 1997, 

requires that military installations develop and implement Integrated Natural Resources 

Management Plans or INRMPs to manage these assets. INRMPs provide for a comprehensive 

approach to ecosystem management by integrating natural resources management for land and 

water resources. The management of natural resources on an ecosystem basis prevents and 

reduces impacts to ocean and coastal resources. 

As a direct result of military conservation efforts, several former DoD sites are now managed by 

other agencies as reserves. These management transfers include sites on Vieques Island in the 

Caribbean, and Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll in the Pacific. 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 74 

Programs and Projects 

DoD prepared its Coral Reef Protection Implementation Plan to guide decision making for 

Department-wide coral reef conservation programs. Accomplishments made under this Plan are 

presented at each U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting, and a complete listing of programs and 

accomplishments is available upon request. A strategic plan to support prioritizing and funding 

facility-based coral reef conservation projects is currently being developed. In addition, a 

number of Department-wide programs which apply to stewardship of natural resources 

contribute to the overall reduction in DoD impacts to coral reefs. 

Resource Stewardship Programs 

Each Service has an array of programs for managing natural resources, tailored to the types of 

impacts common to the activities of that Service. Examples of stewardship programs that most 

directly aid coral reef ecosystems are given below.

DoD Natural Resources Conservation Program. Resource management and protection is 

integrated into all aspects of DoD operations from weapon system design to facility operations. 

A major tool for balancing resource management with mission requirements is the INRMP. 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 75 

DoD facility commanders develop a site-specific INRMP for each terrestrial installation, 

assessing the status of natural resources and establishing guidelines for continued use and 

development of the installation while managing resources. While INRMPs do not specifically 

apply to marine resources, sound land use planning and resource management on shore can have 

a strong beneficial effect for near-shore resources as well. 

Pollution Prevention (P2) Programs. P2 programs are being implemented across DoD and have 

already resulted in significant reductions of toxic chemicals and other pollutants. The policydriven programs focus on training, efficient facility management and acquisition of 

environmentally friendly products. P2 programs also cover weapon systems acquisition and 

research programs. Some specific programs developed under this initiative are the P2 Afloat, 

PRIME and WRAPS programs described below. 

P2 Afloat Program. DoD carefully manages shipboard pollution to avoid impacting 

coral reefs. The P2 Afloat Program was established in 1995 to develop hazardous 

material-related pollution prevention strategies for the U.S. Navy Fleet. The program 

helps to reduce the quantity of hazardous material needed for each Fleet vessel by 

reducing the use of hazardous materials at the source through process or equipment 

changes, and recycling or reuse programs onboard ships. These efforts also significantly 

reduce the amount of hazardous material that could be accidentally released, particularly 

at ports or harbors which often also are home to coral reefs. 

 

Plastics Removal in Marine Environment (PRIME). The PRIME program 

(http://www.navy.mil/oceans/PRIMEFS.pdf) focuses on the reduction of plastic 

consumable commodities aboard U.S. Navy ships, which results in less handling and 

processing of plastic waste. This program was instituted to comply with the Act to 

Prevent Pollution from Ships and the International Convention for the Prevention of 

Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which ban oceangoing vessels from disposing of 

plastics in the marine environment. The Navy has a zero plastics discharge policy (as set 

forth in OPNAVINST 5090.1 series, Environmental Readiness Manual). Navy’s PRIME 

Office, established in 1990, has evaluated over 350,000 items used on Navy vessels, 

with the aim of reducing or replacing items to eliminate plastic waste. As a result, over 

500,000 pounds of plastic previously taken aboard Navy ships each year has been 

eliminated. 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 76 

Waste Reduction Afloat Protects the Sea (WRAPS). Navy established the WRAPS 

program to reduce the amount of total solid waste brought on board, such as cardboard, 

by focusing on the sue of non-polluting technologies and elevating waste reduction 

awareness throughout the supply chain (http://www.navy.mil/oceans/WRAPSFS.pdf).

Marine Resource Protection Projects 

DoD projects directly or indirectly contributing to protection of coral reefs and other marine 

resources are reported in the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Reports to Congress and at every Task 

Force meeting. A wide variety of such projects have been reported, ranging from beach cleanup projects to sinking the retired 

aircraft carrier ex-ORISKANY as an 

artificial reef. 

DoD resource managers work locally 

and regionally with other resource 

agencies and non-governmental 

organizations to carry out cooperative 

conservation projects. A recent 

example of a cooperative effort came 

in 2007 when the Navy provided its 

nuclear powered research submarine 

NR-1 and support vessel SSV Carolyn 

Chouest to support more than a dozen 

partners in a research cruise throughout 

the Gulf of Mexico. 

Resources Available

Within the mandates of its mission, the Military Services commit substantial Operations and 

Maintenance funding to environmental and natural resources management. DoD funding may 

only be used to support the DoD mission and facilities by law, often referred to as “spending 

within the fence line”. Similarly, limitations apply to the use of military equipment for civilian 

activities. However, there are some DoD programs that support cooperative efforts with nonDoD partners: 

Legacy Resource Management Program (http://www.dodlegacy.org/Legacy/index.aspx). This 

program was established in 1990 to provide financial assistance to DoD efforts to preserve 

national cultural and natural heritage. Legacy projects can involve regional management 

initiatives, habitat preservation efforts, archeological investigations, invasive species control, 

among others. The program assists DoD in protecting and enhancing resources while 

supporting military readiness. 

DoD Sustainable Ranges/ Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative 

(https://www.denix.osd.mil/portal/page/portal/denix/range). DoD’s conservation buffer program, 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 77 

the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI), is part of DoD’s overall 

Sustainable Ranges Initiative established to address encroachment on military installations 

through buffer land acquisition. REPI provides funding for the military to work with state and 

local governments, non-governmental organizations, and willing landowners to limit 

encroachment and incompatible land use. REPI funding leverages public/private partnerships in 

order to promote innovative land conservation solutions that help sustain military readiness 

while protecting habitat and other natural resources. 

Strategic Environmental Research and Development (http://www.serdp.org/). The Strategic 

Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) is DoD’s environmental science 

and technology program, planned and executed in full partnership with the Department of 

Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, with participation by numerous other federal 

and non-federal organizations. The program funds environmental research and development 

through a competitive process, focusing the areas of Cleanup, Compliance, Conservation and 

Pollution Prevention 

technologies. The program 

has solicited conservation and 

technology proposals to 

research indicators of stress 

on threatened and endangered 

species, and proposals to 

develop techniques to monitor 

these species in inaccessible 

areas. Coral reef research is a 

candidate for funding under 

this program.

Technical Assistance 

Through cooperative conservation initiatives, DoD combines its technical expertise with that of 

other organizations and partners. DoD provides its technical expertise in multiple disciplines 

from meteorology to modeling, remote data collection to skilled divers. Several programs are 

highlighted here.

Reserve Affairs Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) 

(http://www.coastalamerica.gov/text/military.html). The IRT program is a partnership between 

requesting community organizations and the military. Resource support is a “shared” 

responsibility in this program. Individual IRT projects provide commanders another option to 

meet their mobilization readiness requirements, enhancing morale and contributing to military 

recruiting and retention. These projects are proposed in advance so they can be incorporated into 

future unit training plans and budgets. 

Oceanography Capabilities. The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) is located at 

Stennis Space Center near the Mississippi Gulf Coast and is responsible for providing 

oceanographic products and services to all elements of the DoD. NAVOCEANO personnel 

work with foreign countries to install hydrographic equipment aboard host-country boats of 

opportunity and conduct collaborative surveys under formal agreements, which allow 

NAVOCEANO and the host country to share data and products. NAVOCEANO also partners 
DOD - Navy

USCRTF Coral Profiles 78 

with private industry, government organizations and academia to improve collection processing 

and validate data. Partners include NASA, NOAA, the National Geospatial-Intelligence 

Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, numerous universities and others. 

Many NAVOCEANO products and services are available online at NAVOCEANO's web site 

(https://oceanography.navy.mil/legacy/web/). Visitors can search, access and extract model or 

text data from various databases and libraries. Visitors can also view designated models, request 

specific information, access the Digital Bathymetric Database-Variable resolution or the 

Generalized Digital Environmental Model and download text and image files, all with a click of 

the button. 

Educational Opportunities

DoD is committed to increasing the number and quality of our nation's scientists and engineers. 

The DoD annually supports approximately 8,000 graduate students in fields important to 

national defense needs (https://ndseg.asee.org/). Student 

members of research teams may be funded through 

contracts and grants. Selected by research faculty, the 

students engage in fundamental studies under the leadership 

of a senior researcher while earning advanced degrees. 

Another important mechanism for DoD support of graduate 

students is through portable fellowships awarded to U.S. 

citizens or nationals following a competition each year. 

These fellowships allow the recipients to pursue their 

graduate studies at any U.S. institution they choose to 

attend. One of these is the National Defense Science and 

Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship, which is 

highly competitive and confers high honors upon its 

recipients. The DoD has awarded approximately 3,000 

NDSEG fellowships since the program's inception 20 years 

ago. 

The International Education Program of the NAVOCEANO is responsible for, managing and 

administering the hydrographic and related subject matter technical training of international 

students (military and civilian), per requirements set down by the International Hydrographic 

Office (IHO).

NAVOCEANO maintains a strong commitment to promoting math and science education for 

students and teachers through unique programs like these: 

Through the Personal Excellence Program, NAVOCEANO provides mentors, science 

fair judges, subject matter experts (including biologists, practicing mathematicians, 

geologists, etc.) and career advisors as needed to schools across south Mississippi and 

southeastern Louisiana. 

NAVOCEANO also supports the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and 

Education’s annual regional competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl

(www.nosb.org) at the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center in Ocean Springs, Miss. 

Students from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and the Florida panhandle are eligible to 

compete in the regional bowl, known as the Hurricane Bowl. NAVOCEANO volunteers 
DOD - Navy

USCRTF Coral Profiles 79 

write challenging questions for participants and staff the event as moderators, science 

judges, scorekeepers and rules judges.

Coral Reef Publications and Resources

• Coral Reef Protection Implementation Plan 

http://secnavportal.donhq.navy.mil/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=302&&PageI

D=37445&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true

• Coral Reef Conservation Guide for the Military Services

http://secnavportal.donhq.navy.mil/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=302&&PageI

D=37445&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true

• Ecological Assessment of Johnston Atoll 

http://secnavportal.donhq.navy.mil/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=302&&PageI

D=37445&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true

• DoD Environmental Information and Exchange (DENIX) Website, Coastal 

Ocean Resources https://www.denix.osd.mil/(page under construction) 

• Secretary of the Navy Information Portal, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the 

Navy for Environment page 

http://secnavportal.donhq.navy.mil/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=302&PageID

=0&cached=true&mode=2

• Currents Magazine Stay Current with the Navy's hottest environmental issues at 

http://www.enviro-navair.navy.mil/index.cfm

• Joint Services Pollution Prevention and Sustainability Technical Library

http://205.153.241.230/p2_documents/navy.html

• Navy Ocean Stewardship http://www.navy.mil/oceans/
DOD - USACE

USCRTF Coral Profiles 80 

Department of Defense - U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) provides design and 

engineering services, and construction support for a variety of military and civilian projects 

worldwide. One of the USACE’s primary civil roles is to manage the nation's waterways and 

wetlands. The Army Corps activities include, but are not limited to, constructing projects 

approved by Congress for flood control, commercial navigation, or shipping channel 

maintenance; emergency response to natural disasters; operating and maintaining flood control 

reservoirs and public reclamation facilities; and regulating activities in wetlands including 

issuing dredge and fill permits and authorizing the establishment of wetland areas.

The environmental mission of the Army Corp of Engineers is to focus its talents and energy to 

sustain the environment, to enable our worldwide missions and secure the future. 

The USACE is responsible for reviewing and evaluating permit applications where construction 

and other activities (e.g., discharge of dredged and fill material) may occur in navigable waters 

of the United States. As part of the application review process, the USACE coordinates the 

various project proposals with Federal, state, and local agencies; territories; tribal liaisons; and 

the interested public in an effort to identify potential project issues. 

The USACE is represented at the USCRTF by the Regulatory branch. In coral reef regions, the 

USACE works closely with other USCRTF members to ensure proposed activities are in the 

overall interest of the public. Where practicable, projects may be modified to avoid or minimize 

impacts on aquatic resources of the United States, including special aquatic sites, such as coral 

reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. Additional impacts may be further reduced or offset by 

compensatory mitigation, which may include restoring, enhancing, creating, and preserving the 

aquatic functions and values at risk of loss. 

Authorities and Mandates

Clean Water Act

USACE works in conjunction with the EPA to enforce provisions of the CWA. In general, 

mitigation is developed in accordance with the Clean Water Act Section 404(b)(1) evaluation, 

the 1990 USACE-EPA Mitigation Memorandum of Agreement, and USACE Regulatory 

Guidance Letters. These and other documents are available online at: 

http://www.usace.army.mil/cw/cecwo/reg/rglsindx.htm. 

Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources (April 2008) 

This rule is applicable for activities authorized by permits issued by the Department of the 

Army. The rule improves the planning, implementation and management of compensatory 

mitigation projects of USACE and EPA by emphasizing a watershed approach in selecting 

compensatory mitigation project locations, requiring measurable, enforceable ecological 

performance standards and regular monitoring for all types of compensation and specifying the 

components of a complete compensatory mitigation plan, including assurances of long-term 
DOD - USACE

USCRTF Coral Profiles 81 

protection of compensation sites, financial assurances, and identification of the parties 

responsible for specific project tasks.

http://www.usace.army.mil/cw/cecwo/reg/news/final_mitig_rule.pdf 

Environmental Regulation and Permits

USACE Civil Works Regulatory Program uses Regulatory Guidance Letters (RGLs) as a 

system to organize and track written guidance for field agencies. These RGLs are issued as a 

result of evolving policy, judicial decisions and changes affecting the permitting program. RGLs 

can be found at: http://www.usace.army.mil/cw/cecwo/reg/rglsindx.htm 

RGLs related to aquatic resources and regulatory interpretations by USACE include: 

06-03: Minimum Monitoring Requirements for Compensatory Mitigation Projects Involving the 

Creation, Restoration, and/or Enhancement of Aquatic Resources: 

http://www.usace.army.mil/cw/cecwo/reg/rgls/rgl06-03.pdf 

02-02 - Guidance on Compensatory Mitigation Projects for Aquatic Resource Impacts Under 

the Corps Regulatory Program Pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 

of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 

http://www.usace.army.mil/cw/cecwo/reg/rgls/RGL2-02.pdf 

Organizational structure 

USACE has headquarters, 8 divisions, and 38 districts. The decisions for projects are taken at 

the district level. USACE, under the US Army, has two large and separate directorates: Military 

and Civic Works. Civil Works is organized around three separate programs: 

• Planning: conducts new studies and assesses impacts of proposed projects

• Operations: carries out the many ACE projects 

• Regulatory: evaluates permit requests, and recommends or requires modifications 

More than half of the environmental budget under Civil Works funds environmental restoration, 

clean up, and regulatory activities and programs. A substantial portion of the environmental 

budget is dedicated to mitigation, protection and compliance activities associated with the Corps 

water resources infrastructure. 

The Planning program often works with states early in the life of a project, forming 

partnerships. The Operations program is involved in many dredging and maintenance projects 

across the nation, but its funding is tied to specific projects which have been approved. Every 

project the USACE undertakes has to have Congressional authorization and funding. The 

Regulatory program works closely with the EPA and acts as the primary evaluator of the Clean 

Water Act. While about 98% of projects are eventually approved, a majority of them are 

modified during the review process to minimize their environmental impact. USACE Civil 

Works Regulatory Program website is found at: 

http://www.usace.army.mil/cw/cecwo/reg/ 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 82 

Regions

USACE is divided into geographic districts. Coral areas are encompassed primarily by the 

South Atlantic Division, which includes the Caribbean region and the Pacific Ocean Division, 

which includes Hawai`i, Guam and American Samoa. 

Visual representation 

Programs & Projects

Institute for Water Resources (IWR)

IWR provides USACE with long-range planning capabilities to assist in improving the civil 

works planning process. The Institute continues to provide the Civil Works program with a 

variety of products to enhance development and planning. IWR runs three centers: Hydrologic 

Engineering Center, the Navigation Data Center, and the Waterborne Commerce Statistics 

Center. 

http://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERCD)

ERDC is one of the most diverse engineering and scientific research organizations in the world. 

The ERDC conducts R&D in support of the USACE civil works mission, as well as for other 

Federal agencies, state and municipal authorities, and with U.S. industry through innovative 

work agreements.

http://www.erdc.usace.army.mil/ 

Under the ERCD, a center and a program work on aquatic resources: 

- Wetlands Research Technology Center: 

The Wetlands Research Technology Center provides access to an array of technical specialists 

and interdisciplinary teams in research areas that emphasize the interrelationships of biological, 
DOD - USACE

USCRTF Coral Profiles 83 

physical, and chemical environments in order to 

provide fundamental understanding of ecological 

processes and dynamics in wetland ecosystems.

http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/wetlands/wetlands.html#

wrtc 

- Water Operations Technical Support (WOTS) 

Program:

The WOTS Program provides for the effective transfer 

of environmental and water quality management technologies to address a wide range of 

integrated watershed management issues at USACE reservoir and waterway projects, and in the 

river systems nationwide. WOTS activities are accomplished through three major functional 

areas: direct technical assistance, technology transfer, and technology application.

The Permanent International Association of the Navigation Congress (PIANC)

USACE serves as a member. The Dredging and Port Construction around Coral Reefs, a 

working group of international scientists, engineers, regulators, and industry representatives 

addresses the impacts of dredging and port construction on shallow, warm-water coral reefs 

through development of a PIANC-sponsored publication to benefit industry and resource 

managers worldwide. The USACE shares mitigation and restoration tools, techniques, and 

lessons learned. 

Regional Projects 

Mooring Buoy Installation 

Puerto Rico, along Green Beach in Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, the FWS and USACE 

installed mooring buoys in areas with heavy transient vessel anchoring. Other areas where 

mooring buoys and aids to navigation were deployed include La Parguera Natural Reserve, 

Canal Luis Peña in Isla de Culebra, and at the La Cordillera Natural Reserve. 

Pacific Region Interagency Working Group (PRIWG) 

The FWS, NOAA, EPA, USACE, Navy, Hawai‘i, Guam, CNMI, and American Samoa 

participate as members of the Pacific Region Interagency Working Group (PRIWG) for Coral 

Reef Mitigation. This working group was formed in response to a resolution of the USCRTF 

and is intended to improve the performance of resource agencies and share mitigation and 

restoration tools, techniques, and lessons learned. In 2006, the PRIWG developed a 

Coordination and Management Plan as general guidance for agency member interaction. This 

plan identifies group goals, objectives, and priorities in support of the effort to coordinate, 

review, and develop consistent measures for evaluating and implementing mitigation programs 

addressing impacts to coral reefs resulting from any Federal action. 

Resources Available

Training/Workshops 

Institute for Water Resources
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 84 

Offers education and training opportunities in water resource management. 

http://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/inside/products/train/training.cfm 

Among the courses offered are:

- Planning Associates Program: an advanced training opportunity in water resources 

planning offered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

- Advanced Degree Program in Integrated Water Resources Planning & 

Management: Master's and doctorate level degrees in water resources planning and 

management. 

Funding Opportunities 

All USACE funding is project-specific and as a result of congressional authorization. No 

general funds are available from USACE. 

Fellowships Offered

Details and Developmental Assignees can be placed for periods of six months or more at 

headquarter or district level. These placements are often associated with specific projects and 

often with ties to local universities. 

Publications and Documents

Compensatory Mitigation and Monitoring Guidelines

The Honolulu District developed Compensatory Mitigation and Monitoring Guidelines (2005): 

http://www.poh.usace.army.mil/pa/publicNotices/SPN20050214%2004-448.pdf. 

These guidelines, coordinated with Federal resource agency partners, were developed in 

accordance with current national policy for all types of aquatic mitigation – not just wetlands or 

corals. 

Rapid Response and Restoration for Coral Reef Injuries in Southeast Florida: Guidelines 

and Recommendations

As part of its Maritime Industry and Coastal Construction Impacts Local Action Strategy 

Committee, Florida hosted a this workshop to examine existing agency emergency response 

processes and compile technologies and procedures for restoring damaged coral habitats. 

Guidance for agency policies involving injuries to reef systems, including technical guidelines 

for triage and restoration, was developed. The final Guidelines document is available online at: 

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/programs/coral/reports/MICCI/MICCI_Project2_Guidelines.p

df.

Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Approach

The USACE, with assistance from the University of Hawai`i Sea Grant Extension Service, 

conducted a workshop at the University of Hawai`i in August 2004 to explore the feasibility of 

developing a coral reef functional assessment protocol following a structured, model approach. 

The principal purpose of the workshop was to explore the feasibility of adapting the 

Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Approach for use in coral reef ecosystems. The HGM Approach is a 

reference-based rapid assessment protocol that uses the best scientific information available to 

develop a series of simple conceptual models to represent the relationship between form and 

function of the aquatic ecosystem. The final report from the workshop was issued in March 

2005. 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 85 

Department of State 

The mission of the Department of State is to create a more secure, 

democratic, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people 

and the international community. The Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct 

of American diplomacy, a mission based on the role of the Secretary of State as the President's 

principal foreign policy adviser. U.S. diplomacy is an instrument of power, essential for 

maintaining effective international relationships, and a principal means through which the 

United States defends its interests, responds to crises, and achieves its international goals. 

The Department of State is represented on the USCRTF by the Bureau of Oceans & 

International Environmental & Scientific Affairs. The Bureau promotes transformational 

diplomacy through advancing environmental stewardship, encouraging economic growth, and 

promoting social development around the globe to foster a safer, more secure and hopeful world 

(http://www.state.gov/g/oes/). 

International Agreements 

DOS represents the US in treaties, international agreements and conventions. The following are 

some of these agreements most relevant to coral reef conservation: 

South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) Agreement

The South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) has existed for nearly fifteen years 

to protect and improve the South Pacific environment and to ensure sustainable development in 

that area. The U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the 

Northern Mariana Islands, are located within the SPREP area. SPREP provides for increased 

cooperation among the United States, Australia, New Zealand, France and twenty-two island 

States and territories of the South Pacific area in addressing issues affecting environment and 

development in the region. 

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

As the first global agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity this 

treaty gained rapid and widespread acceptance. Over 150 governments signed the document and 

since then more than 187 countries have ratified the agreement. The Convention has three main 

goals: 1) The conservation of biodiversity, 2)Sustainable use of the components of biodiversity, 

and 3) Sharing the benefits arising from the commercial and other utilization of genetic 

resources in a fair and equitable way

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

CITES is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that 

international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. 

CITES conservation goals are to: monitor international trade in endangered species; maintain 

those species in an ecological balance; and assist countries toward a sustainable use of species 

through international trade. As of 2007, 172 Parties have adopted the Convention. 

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)

The UNFCCC creates a broad global framework for addressing the challenge of climate change. 

It establishes an objective, commitments for different groups of countries, and a set of 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 86 

institutions to enable governments to consider and adopt appropriate actions and to monitor the 

Convention’s implementation. The United States ratified the UNFCCC on October 15, 1992, 

becoming the first industrialized nation and the fourth nation overall to do so. 

Executive Order 13089, “Coral Reef Protection”

DOS, along with USAID, support the international charge of the executive order to “assess the 

U.S. role in international trade and protection of coral reef species and implement appropriate 

strategies and actions to promote conservation and sustainable use of coral reef resources 

worldwide.” 

Organizational structure 

The directorate of Oceans, Environment and Science has several directorates to assist it advance 

its mission. The environmental directorate, specifically the Office of Ecology and Natural 

Resources Conservation, has the lead responsibility for coral reefs. Funding directly related to 

coral reef conservation averages 1.55 million dollars annually. 

 

International Programs 

The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)

ICRI is a public-private partnership that brings together governments, international 

organizations, scientific entities, and non-governmental organizations committed to reversing 

the global degradation of coral reefs and related ecosystems, such as mangrove forests and sea 

grass meadows, by promoting the conservation and sustainable use of these resources for future 

generations. ICRI aims to catalyze action that will improve management practices, increase 

capacity and political support and share information on the health of these ecosystems. DOS 

continues to provide substantial financial support to the International Coral Reef Initiative 

(ICRI) and ICRI-related activities, such as the publication of the biennial Status of Coral Reefs 

of the World: www.icriforum.org

ICRI Coral Reef Crime Scene Investigation Program 

The DOS funds the ICRI Coral Reef Crime Scene Investigation program which trains coral reef 

managers, marine protected area managers, enforcement officers and investigators through 

regional workshops. The workshops involve lectures and demonstrations related to the relatively 

new field of coral reef forensic investigations, along with injury and crime scene investigations 

guided by international professionals in wildlife enforcement, coral reef ecology and marine 

natural resource investigation. Workshops have taken place in the Caribbean and Southeast Asia 

and the Indian Ocean and are planned for the South Pacific, East Africa, as well as additional 

workshops in the Caribbean. 

Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI)

In August 2007, President Yudhoyono of Indonesia proposed the creation of the CTI. The 

ultimate goal of this new multilateral partnership is to safeguard the region’s extraordinary 

marine and coastal biological resources for future generations by promoting sustainable 

fisheries, sustainable livelihoods and climate change resilience and adaptation measures, thereby 

strengthening regional security and prosperity. In August 2008, DOS finalized a $750,000 grant 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 87 

to the NGO consortium to support the development of a self-sustained operation of the CTI 

secretariat, including regional cooperation processes among six governments. 

The Regional Seas Programme 

 The DOS funds the Regional Seas Programme, an action-oriented program that focuses not 

only on the mitigation or elimination of the consequences but also on the causes of 

environmental degradation of the oceans. It has a comprehensive, integrated, result-oriented 

approach to combating environmental problems through the rational management of marine and 

coastal areas. Each regional action plan is formulated according to the needs of the region as 

perceived by the Governments concerned. It is designed to link assessment of the quality of the 

marine environment and the causes of its deterioration with activities for the management and 

development of the marine and coastal environment. The action plans promote the parallel 

development of regional legal agreements and of action-oriented program activities. The 

programme includes thirteen regions involving more than 140 coastal states and territories.

Sula-Suluwesi Sea Ecoregion

In 2004, financial support from DOS provided the impetus for Indonesia, Malaysia, and the 

Philippines to sign their first tri-national cooperative agreement, thereby establishing the SulaSuluwesi Sea Ecoregion. This ecoregion is of enormous ecological and economical importance, 

featuring productive ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. Its 

marine biodiversity includes more than 400 species of corals and 650 species of reef fishes, as 

well as five of the seven species of marine turtles. The ecoregion also serves as an important 

source of food and livelihood for countless subsistence and commercial fishermen. 

Publications and Documents

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008 

The report is the 5th global report since the Global Coral Reef 

Monitoring Network was formed in 1996 as an operational network of 

the ICRI. Each report has aimed to present the current status of the 

world’s coral reefs, the threats to the reefs, and the initiatives being 

undertaken under the umbrella of ICRI to arrest the decline of the 

world’s coral reefs. 

http://www.gcrmn.org/status2008.aspx 

Economic Values of Coral Reefs, Mangroves, and Seagrasses 2008 

Recognizing the importance of economic valuations, in January 2008, the International Coral 

Reef Initiative (ICRI) established an Ad Hoc Committee on Economic Valuation of Coral Reef 

Ecosystems. The Committee is co-chaired by the Mexico-United States ICRI Secretariat and the 

World Resources Institute (WRI), and has as its primary responsibility the compilation of an 

inventory of studies, articles and publications to support ICRI members in coral reef valuation. 
EPA

USCRTF Coral Profiles 88 

Environmental Protection Agency

The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect 

human health and the environment. EPA is the lead Federal agency 

responsible for protecting the quality of the Nation’s drinking and surface waters, and strives to 

ensure that all waters, including coral reefs, are successfully managed, protected, and restored to 

sustain healthy biological communities and to protect human health. EPA has the technical 

expertise, authority under the Clean Water Act, and a suite of both regulatory and nonregulatory 

mechanisms to compare coral reef conditions among sites and regions, and to address the threats 

from land-based point and nonpoint sources of pollution. In addition, EPA has a close working 

relationship with state and territorial partners, due in part to the key role given to them in the 

Clean Water Act and facilitated by EPA’s organizational structure, which includes 10 regional 

offices that serve as the focal point for our interaction with the states and territories. 

EPA’s designee to the USCRTF is the Assistant Administrator for Water. The Director of the 

EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (OWOW) is the EPA Meeting Representative 

to the USCRTF. The Oceans and Coastal Protection Division (OCPD), under OWOW, staffs 

OW on the USCRTF. The mission of OCPD is to protect and restore the ocean and coastal 

ecosystems by promoting watershed-based coastal management, preventing pollution of the 

marine environment, monitoring and assessing coastal conditions, and establishing effective 

partnerships. 

EPA has taken a strong role in protecting coral reefs in the USCRTF jurisdictions through 

research; grant funding; technical assistance; and program development, implementation, and 

enforcement. Given our statutory authorities and technical expertise, EPA has focused our 

efforts both nationally and regionally on addressing the threats to coral reefs from land-based 

sources of pollution. Within that focus area, EPA have worked with our state and territorial 

partners on a broad variety of activities, from funding for water infrastructure improvements and 

nonpoint source controls to providing technical and other assistance in the development of the 

local action strategies for land-based sources of pollution, and to supporting long-term water 

quality and coral reef monitoring projects. In addition, EPA is providing technical guidance for 

states and territories on the development and implementation of bioassessment procedures and 

their application in establishing biological criteria for the protection of coral reefs. Standards 

based on biological criteria are powerful management tools because biological communities are 

dependable indicators of the health of an aquatic ecosystem. 

Authorities and Mandates

Clean Water Act (CWA) - EPA is the Federal agency responsible for implementing the CWA 

to protect the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. Key CWA 

programs that serve to protect coral reefs by controlling pollution in all surface waters within the 

Act’s jurisdiction include: the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System point source 

permit program; water quality standards and criteria, including biocriteria; CWA and Safe 

Drinking Water Act State Revolving Funds for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure; 

technical assistance and the CWA Section 319 grant program to address nonpoint source 

pollution; water quality monitoring and reporting; and the CWA Section 303(d) Total Maximum 

Daily Load program. In addition, EPA shares responsibility with the U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers for implementing CWA Section 404, which regulates discharges of dredged or fill 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 89 

material to waters of the U.S. By controlling pollution before it reaches coastal and ocean 

waters, these programs contribute to EPA’s overall ocean and coastal protection activities, 

including protection of coral reefs. 

Clean Water Act Section 404 

EPA’s regulations at 40 CFR Part 22 (230.44), known as the Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines for 

disposal of dredged or fill material, identify coral reefs as a “special aquatic site” and describe 

factors that must be considered when authorizing sites for discharge of dredged or fill material.

Special Emphasis Given to Coral Reef Protection under the Clean Water Act, Marine 

Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, and Federal Project 

Authorities 

 Memorandum for the Field to clarify and reemphasize the protection afforded the Nation's coral 

reef ecosystems under the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 regulatory program, the Marine 

Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) Sections 102 and 103 provisions, Rivers 

and Harbors Act (RHA) Section 10 requirements, and Federal Projects conducted by the Corps.

http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/guidance/coral.html 

Organizational Structure 

There are several offices within EPA that address coral reef protection: Office of Water, Office 

of Research and Development, Office of Environmental Information, and several EPA regional 

offices. An EPA organizational chart can be found here: 

http://www.epa.gov/water/org_chart/index.htm# 

EPA Coral Reef Regions

Three of EPA’s 10 Regional offices have responsibility for working with jurisdictions that are 

represented on the Task Force:

Region 2: Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands 

Region 4: Florida 

Region 9: Hawai`i, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 

Islands 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 90 

Programs & Projects 

Select Coral Reef-Related Programs

EPA’s Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) 

EMAP, in the Office of Research and Development, develops the tools necessary to monitor and 

assess the status and trends of national ecological resources. EMAP's goal is to develop the 

scientific understanding for translating environmental monitoring data from multiple spatial and 

temporal scales into assessments of current ecological condition and forecasts of future risks to 

our natural resources.

National Coastal Condition Report 

The National Coastal Condition Report (NCCR) describes the ecological health of U.S. coastal 

waters and the Great Lakes at a regional and national scale. First issued in 2001, and updated 

periodically thereafter, the NCCR is a collaborative effort among EPA and other Federal

agencies, as well as state, regional, and local organizations. It is one of only a few statisticallysignificant measures of U.S. water quality on a nationwide basis. The 2004 NCCR was 

produced using data from EMAP. The third National Coastal Condition Report, released in 

2008, assesses condition of the nation's coastal waters, including Alaska and Hawaii, based 

primarily on coastal monitoring data from EPA’s National Coastal Assessment collected in 

2001 and 2002. The condition of the nation's coastal waters continues to be fair. An analysis of 

temporal changes in estuarine condition from 1990 to 2002 is presented for the nation's coastal 

waters and by region. 

EPA’s Marine Debris Prevention Program

EPA uses a comprehensive watershed approach to address the issue of marine debris. Marine 

debris is an environmental problem that stretches beyond the set responsibilities of any 

individual EPA office. As a result, EPA through pollution prevention, recycling, waste 

treatment and control programs, and partnerships addresses the various stressors that lead to 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 91 

marine debris. In addition, EPA uses existing regulatory authorities and mandates to address the 

sources, movement, and impacts of marine debris. 

The Marine Debris Prevention Program focuses on outreach and research activities to increase 

awareness of the marine debris issue and identify the links between human behaviors and 

marine debris. EPA also works to address the gaps associated with characterizing and 

understanding marine debris. EPA supports community cleanups, such as the International 

Coastal Cleanup; public education linking recycling and solid waste management with marine 

debris prevention; and marine debris monitoring, such as the recently completed National 

Marine Debris Monitoring Program.

Establishing Biocriteria for the Protection of Coral Reefs 

EPA is providing technical guidance for states and territories on the development and 

implementation of bioassessment procedures and their application in establishing biological 

criteria (biocriteria) for the protection of coral reefs. CNMI and America Samoa are expected to 

incorporate these protections in their next revision of water quality standards rules. Standards 

based on biological criteria are powerful management tools because biological communities are 

dependable indicators of the health of an aquatic ecosystem. 

Ecological Research Program

Coral reef research is being conducted in the Ecological Research Program (ERP) in EPA’s 

Office of Research and Development to provide decision support tools for protection, 

enhancement, restoration and sustainability of coral reef ecosystems and the services they 

provide. The tools will provide managers the means to prioritize and evaluate land use decisions 

with better knowledge of downstream costs and benefits to coral reef services. Information can 

be found at http://www.epa.gov/ord/erp/quick-finder/coral-research.htm 

Florida 

Water Quality Protection Program for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 

As directed by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and Protection Act of 

1990, EPA and the State of Florida, in consultation with NOAA, developed a Water Quality 

Protection Program (WQPP) for the FKNMS. The purpose of the WQPP is to recommend 

priority corrective actions and compliance schedules addressing point and nonpoint sources of 

pollution to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the FKNMS. 

The FKNMS includes North America’s only living coral barrier reef. The WQPP action plan 

was completed in 1996 and was the first water quality action plan ever developed for a national 

marine sanctuary. The WQPP includes numerous activities to address land-based sources of 

pollution, a comprehensive long-term monitoring program (water quality, coral reef and 

seagrass components), special studies, data management, and public education/outreach 

activities. EPA has provided the majority of funding (about $14 million) for the WQPP’s longterm status and trends monitoring projects, which are now in their fourteenth consecutive year. 

EPA has also worked with all stakeholders in the Florida Keys to develop a Water Quality 

Communications Plan and funded a grant to the University of North Carolina Environmental 

Finance Center to assist local governments with developing a plan for identifying and securing 

funds to implement expensive wastewater and storm water upgrades in the Florida Keys. 

Centralized Management of Decentralized Wastewater Systems Project
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 92 

In October 2006, with guidance and direction from the FKNMS Water Quality Protection 

Program Steering Committee (an interagency group), EPA made a $3.8 million grant to the 

Village of Islamorada, Florida. The purpose of this grant is to demonstrate and evaluate the 

centralized management of decentralized wastewater systems in the Florida Keys. This 

demonstration project is consistent with Monroe County’s Wastewater Master Plan and will 

result in a significant reduction of nutrient and other pollutant loading to the nearshore waters of 

the Florida Keys.

Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative/Land-Based Sources of Pollution Focus Team

EPA Region 4 staff serves on the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) Work Group 

and the associated Land-Based Sources of Pollution Focus Team. As recommended by the 

USCRTF, the purpose of SEFCRI was to develop a local action strategy (LAS) to conserve, 

protect and manage the coral reef habitat of southeast Florida. The LAS was finalized in 

December 2004 and Region 4 staff continues to work with all stakeholders to implement the 

various actions recommended by the LAS to reduce the loading of land-based sources of 

pollution to the coastal waters of southeast Florida. Specifically, EPA is funding numerous 

special studies to quantify, characterize and prioritize the land-based sources of pollution and 

identify how that pollution affects the coral reef ecosystem of southeast Florida. 

Caribbean

USVI Point Source Discharge Regulations

EPA assisted the USVI government in revising its Clean Water Act Territorial Pollution 

Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) regulation to authorize a construction storm water 

construction general permit (CGP). The revised regulation, which was signed by the USVI 

governor on June 20, 2007, and became effective on December 1, 2007, authorizes the 

discharge of storm water from construction sites if specific management practices are 

implemented. This federally enforceable program should lead to stricter land-based erosion 

controls at construction sites and reduced levels of suspended solids and sediment released into 

sensitive coastal areas where coral reefs are present. 

USVI Monitoring Programs and Indicators

EPA and USVI partnered to research and develop indicators for monitoring the condition of the 

territory’s coral reefs. Specific indicators of human impacts to the corals have been identified, 

which can be useful to the USVI in determining acceptable coral condition in the context with 

the Territory’s water quality standards. The USVI is in the process of revising its water quality 

standards to facilitate possible development of stony coral 

biocriteria. 

Bioassessment Tools for Stony Corals 

EPA completed the first phase of a biological survey in St. 

Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to inform and calibrate a longterm monitoring strategy for development of coral reef 

biocriteria. Using EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel BOLD as a 

platform for operations, EPA and USVI personnel 

completed physical and biological measurements of nearly 4,000 corals and 62 stations around 

St. Croix. In the first phase, stations were targeted to fulfill some of the requirements of a 

defensible long-term monitoring program; these included definition of management zones, reef 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 93 

types and sampling units, documentation of measurement variability and reference conditions, 

and characterization of metric responses to gradients of human activity. Data from the biological 

survey were used to validate metrics and the approach presented in the Rapid Bioassessment 

Protocol. 

USVI Environmental Stewardship Initiative

EPA is working with the USVI government to better address the problem of nonpoint source 

pollution control and management using a holistic approach featuring compliance assistance, 

community outreach/capacity building, funding assistance, and program enforcement. EPA 

alone developed an implementation framework that outlines strategies for: building partnerships 

among stakeholders; educating the public about the need to control nonpoint source pollution; 

and identifying appropriate technical assistance and needed funding resources. This initiative 

was launched with a pilot in Coral Bay, St. John, where it has already resulted in focused efforts 

to control high-capacity septic systems and construction runoff control. 

EPA CARE grant

Strategic Implementation of the Coral Bay Watershed Management Plan for Coral Bay, St. 

John, US Virgin Islands ($300K for the Coral Bay Community Council, Inc.) The goal of this 

grant is to reduce pollutant run-off impacts to Coral Bay by initiating implementation of the 

Coral Bay Watershed Management Plan.

Pacific 

Hanalei Watershed Hui (Hawai`i)

As part of Hawaii’s land-based pollution LAS, EPA, USGS, and NRCS and other Federal and 

local partners are collaborating with the Hanalei Watershed Hui to implement pollution 

reduction activities in the Hanelei watershed, on Kaua‘i and to monitor the coral reefs.

Kauai Stormwater Settlement Agreement (Hawai`i)

The EPA has led strong Clean Water Act enforcement actions in Hawai`i which have helped 

protect coral reefs and deter those who would violate the Act. Violations resulting in sediment 

damage to a coral reef on Kauai, Hawai‘i, were resolved in a settlement agreement totaling more 

than $7.5 million involving the EPA, DOJ, Hawai‘i, Kauai County, and Earth Justice. The 

settlement includes $5.3 million to prevent erosion and restore streams at the construction site.

Large-capacity Cesspool Closures (Hawai`i)

EPA has implemented an enforcement strategy to identify and close approximately 3,000 largecapacity cesspools (LCC). Cesspools pose environmental and public health risks by releasing 

disease-causing pathogens and other contaminants to groundwater and coastal waters. As of 

2006, 447 LCC in Hawai`i have been closed under regulatory authority, 923 cesspools are being 

voluntarily closed, and 906 LCC are under formal enforcement actions to close. Cesspool 

closure and wastewater upgrades at public beach parks, schools, plantation camps, and 

businesses will improve water quality for Hawaii’s coral reefs.

Guam Wastewater Spill Reduction

The EPA, with the DOJ, worked with Guam to reduce wastewater spills during 2004-2006 by 

90 percent from 2001-2002 levels. Enforcement actions resulted in marked improvements to 

water utility operations, which substantially decreased pollution to reefs from sewage overflows. 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 94 

Also in Guam, new sewer collector lines will be installed to improve wastewater infrastructure 

in Agat, which will prevent sewage overflows and protect coral reefs by eliminating excess 

nutrient loading to the ocean. 

Guam Military Buildup

EPA is working with the Navy, Guam, NOAA, Army Corps of Engineers, and FWS to plan for 

the Guam military buildup, including facility improvements within Apra Harbor. New 

ammunition wharf, aircraft carrier berth, and commercial port facilities may impact tens of acres 

of coral reefs. EPA’s goal is to minimize impacts to coral reefs from dredging and fill 

discharges associated with the new facilities, and to design appropriate projects for 

compensatory mitigation.

Resources Available 

Funding Opportunities 

EPA offers many funding opportunities for a large variety of environmental projects. These 

opportunities are listed here: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/information.htm and 

http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/oce/coralreefs-grants.html. Below is a summary of some 

EPA grants that might be most applicable to coral reef projects. 

EPA STAR Grants

STAR program funds research grants and graduate fellowships in numerous environmental 

science and engineering disciplines through a competitive solicitation process and independent 

peer review. The program engages the nation’s best scientists and engineers in targeted research 

that complements EPA’s own outstanding intramural research program and those of our partners 

in other Federal agencies.

Wetlands Protection Grants (State/Tribal/Local) 

Assist state, tribal and local wetlands protection efforts. Funds can be used to develop new 

wetlands protection programs or refine existing protection programs. 

Pollution Prevention Grant Program

The purpose of the P2 Grant Program is to give states and Tribes the capability to assist 

businesses and industries in identifying better environmental strategies and solutions for 

complying with Federal and state environmental regulations. It also aims to improve business 

competitiveness without increasing environmental impacts. The majority of P2 Grants fund 

state-based projects for technical assistance, training, outreach, education, regulatory 

integration, data collection, research, demonstration projects, and recognition programs. 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/p2home/pubs/grants/ppis/ppis.htm 

BEACH Act Grants

EPA made $9.75 million in grants available in 2008 to eligible states to protect public health at 

the Nation's beaches. These grants help coastal and Great Lakes states implement programs to 

monitor water quality at the beach and to notify the public when water quality problems exist. 
EPA

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Watershed Funding

Committed watershed organizations and state and local governments need adequate resources to 

achieve the goals of the Clean Water Act and improve our nation's water quality. To support 

these efforts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created this Web site to 

provide tools, databases, and information about sources of funding to practitioners and funders 

that serve to protect watersheds.

http://www.epa.gov/owow/funding.html 

Environmental Education Grants Program 

The goal of this program is to support environmental education projects which enhance the 

public's awareness, knowledge, and skills to make informed and responsible decisions that 

affect environmental quality. EPA awards grants each year based on funding appropriated by 

Congress. Annual funding for the program ranges between $2 and $3 million. More than 75 

percent of the grants awarded by this program receive less than $15,000. 

http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html 

Fellowships Offered 

National Network for Environmental Management Studies (NNEMS)

The program provides students with practical research opportunities and experiences in an EPA 

office or laboratory, encourages careers in environmental studies, and helps to defray the costs 

associated with these programs. Each year, the NNEMS program offers fellowships developed 

and sponsored by EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and in EPA's 10 regional offices and 

laboratories throughout the United States. The projects are specifically 

narrow in scope, allowing students to complete the fellowship while 

working full-time at EPA during the summer or part-time during the 

school year. Recipients of NNEMS fellowships receive a stipend 

based on the student's level of education and the duration and location 

of the project 

http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/NNEMS/ 

National Center for Environmental Research 

The center offers several fellowships available to students to do work 

in the environmental science field. A full listing of these fellowships 

is available at: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/ 

Publications and Documents 

The Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection 

A searchable database of financial assistance sources (grants, loans, and cost-sharing) available 

to fund a variety of watershed protection projects. To select funding programs for particular 

requirements, use either of two searches: one is based on subject matter criteria, and the other is 

based on words in the title of the funding program. Criteria searches include the type of 
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organization (e.g., non-profit groups, private landowner, state, business), type of assistance 

sought (grants or loans), and keywords (e.g., agriculture, wildlife habitat). 

Searchable database: http://cfpub.epa.gov/fedfund/

Charting a Course Toward Diagnostic Monitoring: A Continuing Review of Coral Reef 

Attributes and a Research Strategy for Creating Coral Reef Indexes of Biotic Integrity 

This report reviews coral reef attributes for a research strategy to create coral reef indexes of 

biotic integrity (IBIs). Once developed, these indices can be used in coral reef biocriteria 

programs for diagnostic monitoring of coral reefs around the world. 

http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/coral/documents/charting.pdf

Development of Biological Criteria for Coral Reef Ecosystem Assessment 

Provides the EPA advice on the feasibility of establishing biological criteria for assessing coral 

reef ecosystems. Report outlines the development stages of coral reef ecosystem biocriteria. 

http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/coral/documents/biocrit.pdf

Climate Change Effects on Stream and River Biological Indicators: A Preliminary 

Analysis 

EPA has published a final report, Climate Change Effects on Stream and River Biological 

Indicators: A Preliminary Analysis, available to download at 

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=190304. 

Report Looking at Management Implications of Climate Change in America Samoa 

(ORD)

Climate variability and change can negatively impact sensitive coral reef ecosystems by altering 

sea surface temperatures, ocean carbonate concentrations, sea level, storm surges, precipitation 

patterns, stream flows to the coast, salinity, and pollution loads. US EPA has published a placebased study examining these issues entitled, “Climate Change and Interacting Stressors: 

Implications for Coral Reef Management in American Samoa.” 

To download the report, go to: http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=173312 

Framework Under Development for Categorizing Biological Indicators According to 

Climate Sensitivity and Modifying Assessment Methods to Detect Climate Change Effects 

EPA has drafted a report, for publication in late 2007 or early 2008, describing a framework to 

categorize biocriteria according to their sensitivity to climate change and to examine the ability 

of state biocriteria programs to detect effects and continue to determine impairment under a 

changing climate. The categorization considers what kind of biological indicators may be (1) 

sensitive to climate change (e.g., thermal tolerances of organisms), (2) insensitive to climate 

change, and (3) sensitive to climate change and other stressors. Initial work focused on rivers 

and streams, but the framework is transferable to other ecosystems such as coral reefs. Further 

analysis is needed to examine what kinds of indicators may be useful for coral reef ecosystems, 

how these respond to climate change, and what indicators will not confound climate change 

effects with other stressors. 
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Stony Coral Rapid Bioassessment Protocol 

EPA has developed a Stony Coral Rapid Bioassessment Protocol to provide interested states and 

territories with a simple and rapid coral survey method that uses multiple bioindicators to 

characterize coral condition and associated water quality. It offers insight on indicator relevance 

to ecosystem services (societal values), reef condition, and sustainability. Three publications 

have been finalized in support of this effort:

Bioassessment Tools for Stony Corals: Field Testing of Monitoring Protocols in the US Virgin 

Islands (St. Croix) 

http://www.epa.gov/bioindicators/pdf/EPA-260-R-06-004StonyCoralsUSVIFieldTesting_.pdf 

Bioassessment Tools for Stony Corals: Statistical Evaluation of Candidate Metrics in the Florida 

Keys

http://www.epa.gov/bioindicators/pdf/EPA-260-R-06-002StonyCoralsFLKeys.pdf 

Bioassessment Tools for Stony Corals: Monitoring Approaches and Proposed Sampling Plan for 

the U.S. Virgin Islands 

http://www.epa.gov/bioindicators/pdf/EPA-260-R-06-003CoralReefsUSVI_sampling_plan.pdf 

For more information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/bioindicators/html/publications.html
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National Aeronautics & Space Administration 

NASA's mission is to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and 

aeronautics research. 

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (http://nasascience.nasa.gov/about-us) explores the Earth, 

moon, Mars and beyond; charts the best route of discovery; and reaps the benefits of Earth and 

space exploration for society. Earth is a complex, dynamic system we do not yet fully 

understand. The Earth system is comprised of diverse components that interact in complex ways. 

We need to understand the Earth's atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and 

biosphere as a single connected system. Our planet is changing on spatial and temporal scales. 

The purpose of NASA's Earth Science Division (http://nasascience.nasa.gov/earth-science) is to 

develop a scientific understanding of Earth's system and its response to natural or humaninduced changes, and to improve prediction of climate, weather, and natural hazards. NASA 

researchers utilize satellite, aircraft and other suborbital and in situ platforms to understand and 

protect our home planet. Research varies from local to global scales, and necessarily interfaces 

with technology development, high end computing, and modeling. 

The agency is represented at the Task Force by the Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry research 

program (http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/) under the Earth Science Division of the Science 

Mission Directorate. 

Organizational structure 

NASA Headquarters, located in Washington, D.C., provides overall guidance and direction to 

agency research and technology development. Ten field centers and a variety of installations 

conduct the day-to-day work in laboratories, on air fields, in wind tunnels and in control rooms. 

Ames Research Center - Moffett Field, California

Dryden Flight Research Center - Edwards, California 

Glenn Research Center - Lewis Field, Ohio 

Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, Maryland

Wallops Flight Facility - Wallops Island, Virginia

Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Pasadena, California 

Johnson Space Center - Houston, Texas 

Kennedy Space Center - Cape Canaveral, Florida 

Langley Research Center - Hampton, Virginia 

Marshall Space Flight Center - Huntsville, Alabama 

Stennis Space Center - Mississippi

Field Centers

Visual representation of field centers listed above
NASA

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Programs & Projects

NASA’s Ocean Biology and Biochemistry (OBB) Program covers a wide range of research 

areas, including carbon cycle science, phytoplankton physiology and productivity, air-sea gas 

exchange, ecosystem-carbon-climate modeling, ecological and biodiversity studies, as well as 

technology development, algorithm development and refinement, and data merging. The OBB 

Program supports research in the scientific application of remote sensing technologies. A large 

part of the research program is involved in interagency efforts with the U.S. Climate Change 

Science Program, the Carbon Cycle Science Program, including the North American Carbon 

Program and Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry Program, as well as integration with the 

International Ocean Color Coordinating Group. 

Priority Science Questions:

• How are ocean ecosystems and the biodiversity they support influenced by climate and 

environmental variability and change, and how will these changes occur over time? 

• How do carbon and other elements transition between ocean pools and pass through the 

Earth System, and how do biogeochemical fluxes impact the ocean and Earth’s climate 

over time? 

• How (and why) is the diversity and geographical distribution of coastal marine habitats 

changing, and what are the implications for the well-being of human society? 

• How do hazards and pollutants impact the hydrography and biology of the coastal zone? 

How do they affect us and can we mitigate their effects?

These four overarching questions address 1) marine ecosystems, 2) ocean biogeochemistry, 3) 

coastal habitats, and 4) hazards. Each topic addresses feedbacks related to humankind.
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Remote Sensing Assets

NASA funded research uses remote sensing as the primary research tool. NASA’s remote 

sensing assets include satellite and airborne sensors. Ocean color remote sensing data, such as the 

Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 

(MODIS) provides quantitative data on global ocean bio-optical properties to the Earth science 

community. Subtle changes in ocean color signify various types and quantities of marine phytoplankton 

(microscopic marine plants), the knowledge of which has both scientific and practical applications. 

NASA develops and operates research data systems that process, calibrate, validate, archive and distribute 

data received from an Earth-orbiting ocean color sensor. 

Since an orbiting sensor can view every square kilometer of cloud-free ocean every 48 hours, satelliteacquired ocean color data constitute a valuable tool for determining the abundance of ocean biota on a

global scale and can be used to assess the ocean's role in the global carbon cycle and the exchange of 

other critical elements and gases between the atmosphere and the ocean.

Satellite assets relevant to the Task Force include MODIS on the Terra and Aqua satellites that view the 

entire Earth’s surface every 1 to 2 days (http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/). Data products from MODIS 

include phytoplankton chlorophyll a and sea surface temperature, among others 

(http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/). Airborne imaging systems include the Airborne Visible/Infrared 

Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) (http://aviris.jpl.nasa.gov/) and high resolution digital camera systems. 

Funded researchers may submit flight requests using available platforms and sensors in the NASA 

airborne science asset catalogue (http://asapdata.arc.nas.gov/) using the flight request system 

(http://airbornescience.nasa.gov/sofrs/). Further archived data can be requested via the aforementioned 

web sites.

Example Funded Coral Reef Research Projects

NASA supports the Task Force through NASA research announcements released via the annual 

omnibus Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES, 

http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/). The following excerpts are examples of projects supported 

under a range of program elements, including Carbon Cycle Science, Interdisciplinary Science, 

Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry, and Earth System Science research using data and 

products from TERRA, AQUA, and ACRIMSAT Satellites.

Landsat 7 Coral Reef Images 

Global data acquisition for coral reef mapping was initiated through the Landsat 7 Long Term 

Acquisition Plan. Once the instrument began acquiring data over coral reefs, it took several years 

to get the needed acquisitions because of tropical cloud cover, and to find ways to purchase or 

trade for the over 1000 scenes necessary to complete the global coverage. The data assembly was 

led by scientists in the Institute for Marine Remote Sensing at the University of South Florida. A 

number of groups within NASA provided Landsat scenes, and collaborators in mapping projects 

around the world shared their data in order to assemble the most complete possible archive of 

Landsat 7 data. 

http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi/landsat.pl?sub=main_page&path=7&row=76&x=236&y=21

0&n=0&t=IMaRS

Millennium Coral Reef Mapping Project

In a NASA-sponsored partnership between remote sensing scientists, international agencies, and 

NGOs, new efforts are being made to (1) develop low-resolution reef maps encompassing all 
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USCRTF Coral Profiles 101

tropical oceans to provide a foundation for more detailed future investigation, (2) assemble key 

baseline remote sensing data needed for future research in coral reef environments, and (3) 

partner with international organizations to use remote sensing data for applied science problems 

and improved coral reef management. This partnership developed the first uniform global maps 

of shallow coral reef geomorphology—Millennium Coral Reef Maps—which cover a vast area 

and include over 80 percent of the Earth’s shallow tropical coral reefs. The project differs from 

other coral ecosystem mapping efforts in both resolution and geographic focus. The Millennium 

maps are based on Landsat imagery (a low-resolution satellite source with a pixel size of 30 

square meters) and focus on geomorphologic structure in non-U.S. territories, whereas the 

NOAA maps use imagery with a finer resolution (1- to 4- meter pixels) and provide information 

on reef zonation, underlying structural characteristics, and biological cover for reef areas in the 

U.S. territories and Palau. Thanks to close communication among the participants, project 

scientists were able to minimize geographic overlap and avoid duplication of effort, and as a 

result, the projects and products complement each other well.

The Millennium Coral Reef Maps are being used by scientists, operational agencies, and various 

non-governmental entities in the United States and around the world at regional and local scales 

to: 

• Study sensitivity of tropical islands to climate change and sea-level rise;

• Assess coral reef fisheries of the Pacific islands;

• Design large-scale monitoring and conservation actions (MPA implementation); 

• Assess biodiversity in the Indo-Pacific (i.e., the role of reef diversity and island types in 

structuring biodiversity); 

• Determine genetic connectivity of fish populations in the Caribbean; 

• Detect reef fish spawning sites; and 

• Strengthen the case for classifying certain reef areas as United Nations Educational, 

Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. 

Since September 2006, the Millennium Coral Reef Maps and metadata have served as the 

primary layer of the WorldFish Center’s ReefBase on-line Global Information System (GIS) 

(http://www.reefbase.org/), which provides access to both the source imagery and the classified 

maps in the form of GIS layers. More information on the Millennium Coral Reef Maps is 

available online at: http://imars.marine.usf.edu/corals/. The image database can be accessed at: 

http://www.imars.usf.edu/MC/imagedb.html. 
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Image above: To create a global view of coral reefs, over 1700 images (red boxes) from the 

Landsat 7 spacecraft were collected for the Millennium Coral Reef Mapping Project. Natural 

resource managers around the world now use these images to study and protect the delicate 

ecosystems. Credit: University of South Florida Institute for Marine Remote Sensing.

Airborne Remote Sensing of Coral Reefs for Ecosystems Research

Scientists at NASA Ames Research Center have used NASA’s airborne science assets to fly over 

strategic coral reef sites to collect high-resolution imagery to support coral reef ecosystem 

biodiversity research. The goal of this research is to better understand how light scatters and 

reflects in shallow aquatic ecosystems—including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove 

stands—so current and future remote sensing sensors and data can be optimized for ecosystem 

research in the coastal zone. Further, there is a need to identify the spatial resolution detection 

limits of remote-sensing instruments for discriminating coral assemblages. The airborne sensors 

consist of a high-resolution digital camera system and the Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging 

Spectrometer (AVIRIS), a hyperspectral sensor. NASA’s airborne platforms supporting these 

payloads include the ER-2 and Twin Otter aircraft. 

NASA’s airborne missions in 2004 included the Florida Keys following Hurricane Charley, and 

La Parguera and Mayaguez Bays in Puerto Rico as well as much of the north, south, and west 

coasts of Puerto Rico, and the north and south coasts of Vieques Island. Airborne missions in 

2005 included Kāne‘ohe Bay on O‘ahu, Hawai`i; Culebra and Vieques Islands, Puerto Rico; La 

Parguera, Puerto Rico; Buck Island and the northeast coast of St. Croix, USVI; and the entire 

island of St. John, USVI. NASA Ames Research Center, NOAA, DOI, and university scientists 

conducted field sampling coincident with the overflights for atmospheric correction and 

validation of the AVIRIS data. In addition, field spectra were collected underwater for water 

column characterization and developing spectral libraries of benthic types (coral, algae, and 

seagrass) to relate to the AVIRIS data for creating benthic habitat maps and analysis within and 

between habitat spectral variations. The expected outcomes of this research for coral reef 

ecosystems are improved interpretation of coral reef habitat variability and biodiversity and 

enhanced benthic habitat classification algorithms. This effort also will contribute to studies of 

coastal relationships, including assessing coastal habitat composition and distribution, 

application of remote-sensing techniques to study land-sea interactions, and ridge-to-reef habitat 

assessments.

More information is available online at: http://earthscience.arc.nasa.gov/sge/coral-health/. 

Regional Projects 

Gulf of Mexico & 

Caribbean

Mapping of 2005 Bleaching 

Event 

NASA Airborne Visible/Infrared 

Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) 

by NASA Jet Propulsion 

Laboratory scientists and the 

NASA Ames high resolution 

Digital Camera System (DCS) 
NASA

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supported by UC Santa Cruz Airborne Sensor Facility scientists with field data collection by 

NASA Ames researchers in collaboration primarily with researchers from the University of 

Puerto Rico, NOAA’s Biogeography Program, and the USVI National Park Service (NPS). 

For this study, visible spectrum AVIRIS light data reflecting off of the coral reef and 

surrounding reef bottom will be used to quantify bleaching extent and coral health. 

Field measurements taken in Puerto Rico and USVI will validate and complement the airborne 

data. Coupled remotely sensed and in situ data will allow researchers to better understand the 

ecology of this region impacted by environmental events, and improve modeling of future 

bleaching events.

NASA deployed a team and aircraft to make remote and in situ observations of coral reefs sites 

in Puerto Rico and the USVI impacted by the coral bleaching event. Aircraft-based sensors were 

used to document the extent of the bleaching; gather biological and optical data on healthy, 

bleached, and recovering corals; and measure reef ecosystem properties to understand the 

dynamics of the bleaching event. These sensors provide high spectral and spatial resolution data 

to enhance understanding of satellite data such as the global one-kilometer Moderate Resolution 

Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Field measurements were collected coincident to the 

airborne mission in Puerto Rico and the USVI by NASA Ames Research Center, NOAA, DOI, 

and university scientists to validate the airborne data and quantify the complex coral reef sites 

with instrument measurements relating to the airborne image data. Coupling remotely sensed and 

in situ data will allow researchers to better understand the ecology of this region impacted by 

environmental events and improve modeling of future bleaching events. More information is 

available online at: http://earthscience.arc.nasa.gov/sge/coral-health/. 

Pacific

A collaboration between NASA Ames Research Center and the University of Hawaii in 2005 

supported AVIRIS and DCS flight lines over Kaneohe Bay, Oahu 

(http://earthscience.arc.nasa.gov/sge/coral-health/airborne_missions/hawaii.html). Also, in 2007 

NASA Ames collaborated with Stanford University to collect AVIRIS and DCS data over sites 

along the Kohala Coast to initiate collaborative research from ridge-to-reef.

Western Pacific Flight Demonstration Mission

The primary goal of this proposed mission is to demonstrate the capability to deploy a small 

unmanned aircraft system (UAS), with sensors to the remote Western Pacific to conduct a rapid 

land and coastal marine resource assessment. Long term time-series measurements of islands can 

be used to understand the pace and severity of sea-level rise and they provide baseline 

information for land and littoral resource planning. A partnership is being formed between the 

US Forest Service - Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry and International Programs, the 

Federated States of Micronesia, NASA Ames Research Center, and the US Coast Guard, this 

mission will demonstrate the technical capability of obtaining remote sensing data in remote 

environments. Data products will be provided to resource managers and stake holders to 

evaluate the potential value to support managing ecological resources and adapting to the 

impacts of climate change.
NASA

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International

Work conducted by the NASA Interdisciplinary Study Coral Reef Assessment using NASA’s 

Earth Observing System platforms and numerical models brings together the expertise of 

numerical modelers and remote sensing specialists to examine larval connectivity, coral 

bleaching, and sediment dispersal in three large coral reef systems, including the Mesoamerican 

Barrier Reef System, the Great Barrier Reef, and reefs and lagoons of New Caledonia. Recent 

work includes reef connectivity modeling using Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor 

(SeaWiFS) and Landsat data for the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. Modelers addressed 

both normal and hurricane conditions (Tang et al. 2006, Sheng et al. in press). For the Great 

Barrier Reef, Landsat data are used to improve understanding of the shallow bathymetry around 

and on top of reefs. For New Caledonia, in situ optical data and MODIS and Landsat images are 

used to refine and validate sediment concentrations modeled in the water column. 

Resources Available 

Datasets NASA and non-NASA:

MODIS: http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/

SeaWiFS: http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/SeaWiFS/

AVIRIS: http://aviris.jpl.nasa.gov/

Other NASA archived airborne imaging systems data: http://asapdata.arc.nasa.gov/

Technical Assistance 

Technical assistance can be achieved via partnering for remote sensing assessments contributing 

to coastal zone research through NASA funded research awards. 

Training/Workshops 

NASA funded research awards may include workshops as a means to transfer project technology 

capabilities using scientific data and to facilitate communication with the relevant scientific 

community. 

Funding Opportunities Related to Coral Reefs

NASA Research Opportunities

NASA supports the Task Force through NASA research announcements within the annual omnibus 

solicitation, "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science, ROSES" (http://nspires.nasaprs.com/). 

NASA-funded projects utilize global satellite, aircraft, and other airborne platforms to understand and 

protect our home planet. NASA solicits research in science and technology through ROSES, and utilizes 

the peer review process to evaluate and select research projects. NASA programs that have funded coral 

reef and ecological research projects include Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry, Carbon Cycle Science, 

Interdisciplinary Science, and the Biodiversity Programs. 

Fellowships Offered 

NASA offers fellowships for graduate students and new investigators, as well as educators and outreach 

personnel. For more information: http://education.nasa.gov/edprograms/fellowgrants/index.html. 

Earth System Science Fellowship Program

NASA announces graduate student fellowships for persons pursuing Master of Science (M.Sc.) 

or Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in Earth System Science and related disciplines. The purpose of 
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NASA's Earth System Science (ESS) Fellowship Program is to ensure continued training of 

interdisciplinary scientists to support the study of the Earth as a system. NASA places particular 

emphasis on the applicant's ability and interest in pursuing academic training and research using 

observations and measurements from NASA's Earth orbiting satellites, and in developing interor cross-disciplinary research about the Earth system that is not currently emphasized in the 

research and development portfolio of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD). For more 

information see solicitations under: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/.

Graduate Student Research Program

The NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) is an Agency-wide fellowship 

program (also called GSRP Training Grants in what follows) for graduate study leading to 

masters or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering related to 

NASA research and development. This twelve month award strongly encourages a research 

experience at the NASA center extending the GSRP Fellowship. For more information see: 

http://fellowships.hq.nasa.gov/gsrp/nav/. 

NASA Postdoctoral Program 

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly talented 

national and international individuals to engage in ongoing NASA research programs at a NASA 

Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institution. These one- to threeyear Fellowship appointments are competitive and are designed to advance NASA's missions in 

space science, earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and 

astrobiology. For more information see: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/. 

Publications and Documents

An Advanced Plan for NASA’s Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry Research 

http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/DOCS/OBB_Report_5.12.2008.pdf. 
NSF

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National Science Foundation

The mission of the National Science Foundation is "to promote the progress of 

science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the 

national defense..." NSF is an independent agency of the U.S. government 

responsible for advancing science and engineering. NSF plays a critical role in supporting 

fundamental research, education and infrastructure (i.e. laboratories, research vessels, 

instrumentation) at colleges, universities, and other organizations throughout the country. NSF’s 

broad support for basic research provides opportunities for discovery in many fields and provides 

mentoring opportunities to facilitate the development of emerging scientists and engineers. 

As a partner in achieving the mission of the USCRTF, the NSF supports a substantial portion of 

the federally-funded fundamental research important to the basic understanding of: 

• corals (physiology, biochemistry, symbioses, environmental stress, disease, 

reproduction, population genetics and evolution), 

• coral reefs today and in the past (geology, paleo-environmental history, ocean 

acidification), 

• coral reef ecosystems (living marine resources, community dynamics, marine protected 

areas, biodiversity processes, long-term ecological research), and 

• the infrastructure used to study reef systems and environments. 

Research supported includes (1) laboratory studies; (2) field experimentation and observation 

world-wide; (3) interdisciplinary studies coupling biology and ecology to ocean physical and 

chemical processes, and climate, and (4) simulation and predictive modeling of the dynamics of 

coral reef systems.

There is great value to the NSF and the science community in participation in USCRTF. NSF 

participation and activities continue to highlight the importance of fundamental research in 

achieving the overall goals of the USCRTF and identifying opportunities for interagency 

cooperation and coordination in coral reef research.

Organizational Structure 

Many parts of the NSF participate in the overall USCRTF effort by way of the support for 

scientific research and education projects. The majority of support is provided through a variety 

of Programs within the Directorates of Geosciences (ocean, earth and atmospheric sciences), 

Biological Sciences, Education and Human Resources, and the Office of International Science 

and Education. 
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Projects 

Most funding for the research on coral and coral reefs is in the form of grants to scientists on 

behalf of their institutions. These range from shorter-term (3 year) grants to individual scientists, 

to large and long-term interdisciplinary projects involving many institutions and investigators. 

The amount varies from year to year contingent upon the submittal and merit review of 

proposals. Funding levels are in excess of $15 million per year. A few of the many research 

themes and specific projects include:

• Long-term Ecological Research at U.C. Berkeley’s 

Gump Research, which provides significant 

opportunities for researchers to study population 

dynamics of coral reefs and qualitative responses of 

coral reefs to different types of environmental change. 

• Long term studies improving research opportunities, 

infrastructure and instrumentation in the US Virgin 

Islands relating to biodiversity, ecosystem 

connectivity and biocomplexity-related coastal 

oceanography. Results of these awards will improve 

the research capability of UVI and visiting researchers studying Caribbean coral reefs.

• Interdisciplinary times-series studies of coral reef structures and reef-associated 

community composition in the eastern Pacific in response to El Nino-Southern 

Oscillation climate disturbances. 

• The development of programs to address the scientific and technical needs of the U.S.-

Affiliated Pacific Islands. The program targets education through the community colleges 

of the Pacific Islands with regionally relevant curriculum development, professional 
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development of faculty and secondary school teachers, and internships and field 

experiences for faculty, teachers, and students. 

• Origins of high Indo-West Pacific marine biodiversity and the role of allopatric 

divergence in marine environments. For example, the Indo-Malay-Philippine Archipelago 

is a proposed project aiming to forge new partnerships that can transform this epicenter of 

marine biodiversity into an epicenter of marine research and education. 

• Determining whether coral symbioses have the capacity and ecological context to adapt 

to climate change by modifying their endosymbiotic communities through their 

interactions with pools of free-living diversity in the coral reef environment. 

• Development of more rapid and efficient way to get baseline estimates of calcification 

rates in corals. 

• Populations of corals living in the eastern 

Pacific Ocean which are especially vulnerable 

to climate change.

• Disease in sponges in coral reef ecosystems. 

• Invasive species to the Caribbean and Western 

Tropical Atlantic Ocean – the Pacific Lionfish. 

Resources Available 

Funding Opportunities 

NSF supports research primarily by issuing limited-term grants – approximately 10,000 new 

awards per year, with an average duration of three years – to fund specific research proposals 

judged the most promising by a rigorous and objective merit-review system. Research proposals 

are usually unsolicited and reviewed in competition with other proposals addressing similar 

disciplinary activities. Awards go to individuals or small groups of investigators through their 

organization or institution. A very small proportion of proposals sent to NSF are in response to 

an announcement of opportunity for a special initiative such as Carbon and Water in the Earth 

System and Long-Term Ecological Research. Special initiatives have a broad range of goals and 

may include social science, mathematics, geosciences, biology and other disciplines in each 

proposal. 

Through the grant review process, NSF-supported projects targeted to advancing knowledge of 

coral reef ecosystems generally fall into the area of “strategic research” in the National Action 

Plan (NAP) of the USCRTF. Most of these research projects are supported by the Division of 

Ocean Sciences or the Division of Environmental Biology. Themes that have emerged from 

awards include symbiosis, nutrient cycling, ocean acidification, and population connectivity. 

Improving and fostering long-term research stations is also priority prevalent in recent and past 

awards. Research supported by NSF provides a better understanding of the functioning of coral 

reef communities, which can provide a biological basis for management activities and benefits 
NSF

USCRTF Coral Profiles 109

many goals of the NAP especially marine protected areas, sustainable fishing, restoration, social 

and economic development, and international collaborations. 

Fellowships and Student Opportunities 

Partnerships for International Research and Education Awards 

This program provides educational opportunities for Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, 

Postdoctoral Fellows and seeks to catalyze a high level of international engagement in the U.S. 

science and engineering community by supporting innovative, international research and 

education collaborations. 

http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12819&org=OISE&from=home
USCRTF Coral Profiles 110

Acronyms 

AS American Samoa

ASNIE Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment

ATRIS Along Track Reef Imaging System 

AVIRIS Airborne imaging systems include the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging 

Spectrometer

BLM Bureau of Land Management 

CBD Convention on Biological Diversity

CEAP Conservation Effects Assessment Project

CGP Construction General Permit 

CIG Conservation Innovation Grants 

CIP Capital Investment Program 

CITES Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and 

Flora

CNMI Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 

CO2 Carbon dioxide 

CoRIS Coral Reef Information System 

CRCA Coral Reef Conservation Act

CRCP Coral Reef Conservation Program 

CREMP Coral Reef Evaluation and Monitoring Program 

CRES Coral Reef Ecosystems Studies

CSCOR Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research 

CSREES Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service 

CTA Conservation Technical Assistance Program

CTI Coral Triangle Initiative 

CWA Clean Water Act 

DENIX DOD Environmental Information and Exchange 

DOD U.S. Department of Defense 

DOI U.S. Department of the Interior 

DOJ U.S. Department of Justice 

DOS U.S. Department of State 

EAR Electronic Acoustic Recorders

EAARL Experimental Airborne Advanced Research Lidar 

EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone 

EO Executive Order 

EMAP Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program 

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

EQIP Environmental Quality Incentives Program 

ERCD Engineer Research and Development Center

ERP Ecological Research Program

ESA Endangered Species Act

EWP Emergency Watershed Program

FAS Freely Associated States (Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, 

 Republic of the Marshall Islands) 

FGBNMS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

FISH Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest

FKNMS Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

FOTGs Field Office Technical Guides 
USCRTF Coral Profiles 111

FSM Federated States of Micronesia

FWC Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

FWS Fish and Wildlife Serve 

GBRMPA Australian Great Barrier Reef National Park Authority 

GIS Geographic Information System

GOM Gulf of Mexico 

GPA Global Program of Action 

GPS Global Positioning System 

GSRP Graduate Student Researchers Program

HGM Hydrogeomorphic 

I&M Inventory and Monitoring (Networks) 

ICM Integrated Coastal Management

ICRI International Coral Reef Initiative

IRT Innovative Readiness Training

IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature 

IWR Institute for Water Resources 

JICMS Joint Institute for Caribbean Marine Studies

LAS Local Action Strategy

LCC Large capacity cesspools

LTER Long-Term Ecological Research

MERC Middle East Regional Cooperation 

MIO Marine Information Object

MMS Minerals Management Service

MODIS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 

MPA Marine Protected Area

MPRSA Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act

MREC Marine Research and Education Center 

MSA Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 

MSRA Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act 

NAP National Action Plan 

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NAVOCEANO Naval Oceanographic Office 

NCCR National Coastal Condition Report 

NCRI National Coral Reef Institute

NDSEG National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NNEMS National Network for Environmental Management Studies 

NGO Non-governmental Organization 

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act 

NIWR National Institute for Water Resources 

NMN Marine National Monument 

NODC National Oceanographic Data Center

NPP NASA Postdoctoral Program

NRPC National resource Program Center 

NPS National Park Service

NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service

NSF National Science Foundation 

NWHI Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

NWRS National Wildlife Refuge System 
USCRTF Coral Profiles 112

OBB Ocean Biology and Biochemistry 

OCRB Ocean and Coastal Resources Branch 

OCPD Oceans and Coastal Protection Division

OCS Outer Continental Shelf 

OCSLAA Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 

OEMM Offshore Energy and Minerals Management

OIA Office of Insular Affairs

ONRM Office of Natural Resources Management

OWOW Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds

P2 Pollution Prevention 

PARC Palmyra Atoll Research Consortium

PIMPAC Pacific Islands Marine Protected Area Community

PIRO Pacific Islands Regional Office

POC Point of Contact 

PRIA Pacific Remote Islands Areas

PRIME Plastics Removal in Marine Environment 

PRIWG Pacific Region Interagency Working Group 

PSRPA Park System Resource Protection Act 

RAMP Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program

REPI Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative 

RGLs Regulatory Guidance Letters 

RHA Rivers and Harbors Act 

RMI Republic of the Marshall Islands

ROV Remotely Operated Vehicle

SeaWiFS Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (NASA)

SEFCRI Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative

SEFSC Southeast Fisheries Science Center

SERDP Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program

SFCN South Florida/Caribbean Inventory and Monitoring Network 

SPAW Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife

SPREP South Pacific Regional Environment Program 

TPDES Territorial Pollution Discharge Elimination System 

UAS Unmanned Aircraft System

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 

UNFCC UN Framework Convention on Climate Change 

USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

USAID U.S. Agency for International Development 

USCG U.S. Coast Guard 

USCRTF U.S Coral Reef Task Force

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture 

USGS U.S. Geological Survey 

USVI U.S. Virgin Islands 

VIP Volunteers in Parks 

WHIP Wildlife Habitat Incentives

WOTS Water Operations Technical Support 

WQPP Water Quality Protection Program 

WRAPS Waste Reduction Afloat Protects the Sea

WRI World Resources Institute 

WRP Wetlands Reserve Program