The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program has identified goals, objectives, and action plans aimed at rehabilitating and maintaining the Mobile Bay estuary.
Goals are broad, long-term aims for the estuary.
Objectives are more specific, shorter-term targets designed to attain those goals. Finally, action plans are detailed programs for meeting goals and objectives, indicating who, what, when, where, and how the plans will be carried out. An essential part of each action plan is the establishment of criteria by which the plan's effectiveness may be monitored. To maintain and promote wise stewardship of the water quality characteristics of the Mobile Bay Estuarine System. To maintain and promote wise stewardship of the living resource base of the Mobile Bay Estuarine System.