Since watersheds transcend political, social, and economic boundaries, it is important to involve all the affected interests in designing and implementing goals for the watershed. Watershed teams may include representatives from all levels of government, public interest groups, industry, academic institutions, private landowners, concerned citizens, and others. Through the Watershed Approach, integrated coastal management tools and watershed concepts can be applied in the development of comprehensive management and conservation plans to assess, protect, and restore our nation s estuaries. Through an interagency effort, the Clean Water Action Plan was developed to address enhanced protection of public health from threats posed by water pollution, more effective control of polluted runoff, and promotion of water quality protection on a watershed basis. EPA works with coastal states to develop their Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs and with other federal agencies to protect human health and aquatic habitats by reducing marine debris and the discharge of pollutants into estuarine waters.
Estuaries reflect the overall health of a watershed.
Individuals are the most important contributors in the long-term effort to identify and address water quality, pollution, and habitat problems within estuaries. Examine your every-day activities and think about how you might be contributing to the pollution problem. Learn about estuarine water quality and habitat issues that affect the community in which you live and work. Become familiar with your local estuarine systems. Visit or contact your nearby National Estuary Program office.