he Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (OWOW) promotes a

watershed approach to manage, protect, and restore the water resources and

aquatic ecosystems of our marine and fresh waters. This strategy is based on the

premise that water quality and ecosystem problems are best solved at the watershed level

and that local citizens play an integral role in achieving clean water goals. Through its

many programs, OWOW provides technical and financial assistance and develops

regulations and guidance to support the watershed approach.

OWOW is one of four program offices within the Office of Water at EPA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The Office provides leadership, policy direction, and technical

and financial support to 10 EPA regions and the states, tribes, and territories that

implement aspects of our programs. OWOW also collaborates with other federal agencies with related missions as well as local government, the private sector, and non-profit

organizations.

Some of our programs are described in this brochure; for more information on these

and other programs, please visit our web site at www.epa.gov/owow.

United States

Environmental Protection

Agency

EPA 840-B-99-003

October 1999

Office of Wetlands, Oceans,

and Watersheds

Office of Water

(4501F)

“Water is the most critical

resource issue of our

lifetime and our children’s

lifetime.

 The health of our

waters is the principal

measure of how we live

on the land.”

— Luna Leopold


	



Wetlands have been called the “nurseries of life” and are often the most

ecologically productive and environmentally sensitive areas within a watershed. OWOW promotes the protection and restoration of the nation’s

wetlands through both regulatory and cooperative programs.

	
		


The Clean Water Act Section 404 establishes a permit program to regulate discharges of dredged or fill material into waters, including wetlands, of the United States.

Section 404 outlines specific and coordinated responsibilities for both EPA and the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). EPA is required, in conjunction with the Corps, to establish environmental standards for reviewing Section 404 permit applications for activities that

would fill wetlands for residential development, roads, levees, and other projects. The Corps is

charged with administering the Section 404 permit program, processing applications in

accordance with EPA’s standards, and issuing permits, where appropriate, after notice and an

opportunity for public comment. Both EPA and the Corps have enforcement responsibility

and routinely coordinate the review of Section 404 permit applications to ensure that permit

decisions are made in a timely manner, while providing effective protection for human health

and environmental quality. States can assume the 404 program for some waters and, as of

1999, New Jersey and Michigan had done so. Many states administer other programs to

protect wetlands, some of which are recognized through Clean Water Act general permits.

			


In addition to providing regulatory protection for wetlands, OWOW works in partnership with states, tribes, and local governments to conserve and restore these valuable

habitats. For example, OWOW is helping states and tribes to develop wetland conservation plans and incorporate wetlands into watershed plans. To improve methods of

evaluating wetland health, OWOW is working closely with states and tribes to develop

biological assessment methods. We encourage states and tribes to incorporate wetlands

into water quality standards to provide additional protection that other waterbodies

commonly receive. EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance manages

programs to ensure that discharges comply with legal requirements, and the Office of

Research and Development helps OWOW administer wetlands programs in a scientifically sound manner. We also work with other federal agencies to develop national

guidance on issues, such as constructed treatment wetlands and wetland restoration.

With the goal of a net increase of 100,000 acres of wetlands

per year by 2005, EPA is working with its partners on communitybased wetlands restoration projects in 500 watersheds from 1999

through 2004. This challenge will be met through OWOW’s Five

Star Restoration Program, which provides challenge grants,

facilitates technology/information transfer and partner collaboration, and supports peer-to-peer communication programs. A web

site (www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/restore/5star/) serves as the

information hub for the Five Star Restoration Program.

For more information, visit the wetlands web site at

www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands or call the Wetlands Information

Hotline (contractor-operated) at 1-800-832-7828.

	



		

		

	

	


		


	



How important are our coastal and ocean resources? According to 1996 statistics, more

than half the U.S. population lives in the Nation’s coastal counties, which account for only

11% of the land area in the U.S. (excluding Alaska). Coastal waters support 28.3 million jobs

and generate $54 billion in goods and services each year, and tourism-related businesses serve

180 million Americans visiting the coasts each year for recreation. For more information,

please visit our web site at www.epa.gov/owow/oceans.

			


In addition to the programs highlighted below, OWOW provides leadership in

programs to assess and reduce the extent of marine debris in waterways, and control

pollution from ships and discharges to coastal waters from industry

and municipalities. Furthermore, we work to limit the introduction

of non-indigenous aquatic organisms in U.S. waters, assess and

reduce the air deposition of nutrients and toxic pollutants into

coastal waters, identify beaches that are environmentally friendly

and safe to swim, and address Pfiesteria and other harmful algal

blooms. OWOW works to protect coral reef ecosystems using a

watershed protection framework and through the Coral Reef Task

Force to address heightened concerns about coral reef degradation.

In light of significant harm to water quality and ecosystems due to

poorly planned growth and development, particularly along the

coasts, we are working with communities to promote Smart

Growth. Our office also promotes integrated coastal monitoring and

research efforts, in part through surveys conducted by its 165-foot

ship, the Ocean Survey Vessel Peter W. Anderson.

	
		
		

The National Estuary Program (NEP) was established in 1987 to identify, restore, and

protect nationally significant estuaries of the United States. Estuaries are biologically

productive and valuable coastal areas where salt and fresh water mix. The primary focus of

the NEP is to maintain the integrity of the whole estuarine system—its physical, chemical,

and biological properties, as well as its economic, cultural, and aesthetic values. Active

participation of communities and local groups through effective development and implementation of Comprehensive Conservation Management Plans is a hallmark of the NEP.

Each plan identifies specific actions to control pollutants such as point and nonpoint

sources of toxics and nutrients, restore or create wetlands

and other habitats, control discharges from septic tanks,

and undertake other activities. There are currently 28

estuaries in the United States designated as estuaries of

national significance.

OWOW is also taking lessons learned from the 28

NEPs to support efforts to manage, protect and restore

resources in other coastal watersheds in the U.S. Our

office provides technical assistance and information

sharing through training workshops, guidance manuals,

fact sheets, technical reports and newsletters to support

coastal watershed managers around the country.

OWOW provides guidance to states regarding the

effective control of

nonpoint source pollution

and in conjunction with

NOAA, works with

coastal states to develop

and implement coastal

nonpoint source programs.
		


			


OWOW is responsible for ensuring that

ocean dumping of dredged materials and other

wastes is managed in an environmentally sound

manner, and for developing the environmental

criteria used in determining whether this material is suitable for ocean disposal. In addition,

our office works closely with our partners to

improve dredged material management planning

and coordination efforts, promote beneficial uses

of dredged material, and provide guidance to

promote environmental stewardship in U.S.

ports. OWOW works closely with several

international treaty organizations to assure

protection beyond U.S. waters, such as the

London Convention of 1972, which controls

ocean dumping of wastes.



	



	
	

OWOW works in partnership with states, interstate agencies, tribes and

other federal agencies to improve water quality monitoring programs. This is

accomplished by, for example, participating on a National Monitoring

Council and developing national guidance on water quality assessment and

reporting, biological monitoring and criteria, volunteer monitoring methods,

and quality assurance. Using EPA guidance, states, tribes

and interstate agencies monitor water quality and report

this information to EPA as required by Section 305(b) of

the Clean Water Act. EPA then summarizes these water

quality assessment reports into a National Water Quality

Inventory Report to Congress and maintains a variety of

databases to facilitate the use of this wealth of water

quality monitoring data.

OWOW encourages states, tribes and interstate

agencies to use quality-assured water quality information

collected by citizen volunteers, and supports the growth

of the nation’s volunteer monitoring network through

technical, outreach, and networking tools. Currently,

more than 770 volunteer monitoring groups around the

country collect physical, chemical, and biological data on

the condition of streams, lakes, estuaries, wetlands,

beaches, and ground water. Information on volunteer

monitoring and publications is available at

www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring.

Nearly 40% of the

Nation’s assessed waters

do not meet the uses for

which they have been

designated by the states,

due largely to polluted

runoff.
	
	
 !"#$%&	

Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act directs each state to prepare a biennial

report to be submitted to EPA describing the quality of its waters. These reports

identify which waters within the state support designated uses and which are impaired;

for impaired waters the states are also required to describe the type and source of

pollutants. OWOW then compiles these state assessments to prepare a national water

quality inventory report for the Congress. The report focuses on the extent to which

water quality meets goals and standards established to protect aquatic ecosystems,

drinking water supplies, fish consumption, recreational activities and other uses

designated by states. In addition, the Clean Water Act asks the

states to report on their progress in controlling water pollution,

including the costs and benefits of achieving designated use

support. For more information, visit our web site at

www.epa.gov/305b.

'	

Many water quality problems today are caused by diffuse, or

nonpoint source pollution. This polluted runoff is largely responsible for nearly 40% of the nation’s assessed waterbodies not

meeting the uses for which they have been designated by the

states, i.e., fishing, swimming, or as a drinking water supply. The

Clean Water Act provides for the control of nonpoint source

pollution through Section 319, the Nonpoint Source Management Program, to encourage greater state, tribal, and federal

leadership to address this significant source of water quality

degradation. Under Section 319, states, territories, and

tribes develop and implement their own nonpoint source

management programs tailored to their key nonpoint

source pollution problems. EPA provides grants to help

them administer their nonpoint source programs as well

as guidance for improving best management practices to

control runoff. In addition, under Section 6217 of the

Coastal Zone Management Act Amendments of 1990,

OWOW provides guidance to states regarding the

effective control of nonpoint source pollution in coastal areas,

and with NOAA jointly works with coastal states to develop and implement

coastal nonpoint source programs.

()


*$(*&

Despite national standards and required pollution controls, many of our waterways

still do not meet the Clean Water Act goal of being “fishable and swimmable.” The

mission of the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) program is to work towards healthy

watersheds by assisting states, territories, and tribes to meet their water quality standards.

Under the program established by Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, states identify

impaired waterbodies, or those not meeting standards, and develop TMDLs for these

waters. A TMDL specifies the amount by which a specific pollutant must be reduced to

meet water quality standards and allocates pollution control responsibilities among the

sources in the watershed. EPA reviews and approves the lists of impaired waters and the

TMDLs developed for them and develops the TMDLs if the state or territory does not.

TMDLs are a critical analytic underpinning for watershed decisions and can serve to

integrate solutions to water quality problems from point and nonpoint sources and to

protect drinking water sources, wetlands, and endangered species.

 


 




 

 



 

 




 





 


 

 	

 	






	



Recognizing how important community action is in achieving clean

water goals, OWOW promotes and supports watershed partnerships at

all levels. For example, OWOW’s Adopt Your Watershed and volunteer

monitoring programs help a variety of community groups, such as scouts

and PTAs, to get more involved in watershed protection. The Clean

Water Action Plan (CWAP), announced by President Clinton in 1998,

gave new impetus to this mission and calls for increasing our efforts to

preserve and restore the nation’s waters, both to protect human health

and to ensure the integrity of aquatic ecosystems. The Action Plan promotes a collaborative effort to achieve goals by bringing both public and

private sector stakeholders together in national watershed forums,

regional roundtables, and watershed alliances.

OWOW also provides technical support and expertise

for local and regional activities, often in cooperation with

other federal agencies. Examples of interagency and

intergovernmental efforts include the Stream Corridor

Restoration Handbook, Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task

Force, Everglades restoration, Pacific Northwest salmon

recovery, and the President’s American Heritage Rivers

Initiative. The watershed approach is an effective

means to get all interested parties involved and will

contribute to the protection and restoration of our

waters for current and future generations in the 21st

century, and beyond.

Through its many

programs, OWOW

provides technical and

financial assistance and

develops regulations and

guidance to support the

watershed approach.

	





Res

A

to

m

ri

e

ng and Protecting

rica’s Waters

1998

	

	(	

EPA’s Watershed Academy provides courses, publications, facilitation,

and internet information on the watershed approach for local, state, tribal

and federal officials, as well as private practitioners of watershed management. Examples of training topics include: establishing statewide approaches to watershed management; technical components for developing

TMDLs; watershed assessment methods; watershed ecology; and stream

corridor restoration. Watershed training courses are also available on the

internet at www.epa.gov/OWOW/watershed/wacademy/acad2000.

+	
'



In partnership with others, OWOW operates the Internet-based Watershed Information Network (WIN). WIN is a roadmap to consolidated watershed information and

services that can help communities protect and restore water quality. WIN provides

ready access to information on such topics as: what a watershed is, how to find your

watershed, available training for watershed practitioners, and financing watershed

protection and restoration activities. Included in WIN is the Index of Watershed Indicators, which compiles information on the health of aquatic resources in over 2,100

watersheds in the 48 contiguous states. Entering your “place” (such as ZIP code, county,

tribe, or school) in WIN will bring up specific data about your watershed and how to get

involved. You can access WIN at www.cleanwater.gov/win.

OWOW has modernized EPA’s computerized STOrage and RETreival system for

water quality data, STORET, so that it better meets the emerging information needs for

watershed protection. New STORET will serve as EPA’s principal repository for chemical data, biological community information, fish tissue analyses, and aquatic habitat

evaluations for fresh and marine

water. PC-based and user-friendly,

new STORET requires quality

assurance information to ensure

the integrity of the data in the

system. Data in new STORET will

soon be accessible via the

Internet. Our office is also developing a variety of tools to help

states and other partners geographically display and manage

their water information.

OWOW’s Watershed

Information Network

provides consolidated

watershed information

and services that can

help communities

protect and restore

water quality.
*	,	+			


Clean Water Act (CWA)

Ocean Dumping Ban Act (ODBA)

Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA)

London Convention (LC)

Marine Plastics Pollution Research and Control Act (MPPRCA)

Shore Protection Act (SPA)

Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA)

Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS)

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA)