As all of us who are concerned about coastal watersheds know, coastal protection is an extremely important component of overall environ mental protection. Our coastal waters are the ultimate destination for many pollut ants that originate inland from both point and nonpoint sources. Environmentally, coastal watersheds provide some of the most diverse and biologically productive species habitat in the country. Coastal watersheds are also valued by most people in the United States, as is shown by the number of people that live in coastal areas.
Coastal areas are also a favorite recreational destination for many vacationers.
It is precisely because so many people are drawn to, or dependent on, coastal water sheds that they are under considerable environmental stress. And this is what makes protecting our coastal resources so important. It is apparent that many people, in many ways, have a stake in keeping coastal wa tersheds clean, healthy, and productive. As a result, EPA is now moving toward a community-based environmental protection approach in its coastal programs. In a few cases, EPA may still take the lead in designing and implement ing watershed protection programs.