A NATIONAL STRATEGY TO RESTORE COASTAL AND ESTUARINE HABITAT Dear Friend, The rich interplay between the land and the sea creates one of America’s most valuable natural, economic, and cultural res o u r ces—its estuaries and coasts. In this unique nexus— characterized by the dynamic blending of salt and fresh water during tidal cycles—abundant life is created and nurtu re d . Estuaries nurtu r e not only shellfish, fish, and wildlife, but also nourish the human spirit. We ar e from the sea, and we are continually lured back to its edge, rei n f o r cing the kinship we sh a r e with this place as we sail, fish, swim, and relax near a glistening bay or a rocky shore. And yet, no place on earth more directly embodies the challenge of balancing human needs and the needs of other species than estuaries. By 2025, 75 percent of our population will live within 50 miles of the coast. We must learn how to develop our own habitat while also pro- tecting and restoring the very essence of what binds us to our coasts. Re s t o r e America’s Estuaries and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are pleased to present A National Strategy to Restore Coastal and Estuarine Habitat, and we are grateful to the scores of scientists, restoration practitioners, program managers, and others who contributed their expertise and insights. This National Strategy takes a major step to w a r d reclaiming losses of the past 200 years. We look forwa r d to continued collaboration as we move forwa r d and reinvest in our coastal and estuarine habitats. Best Regards , Mark Wol f - A rm s t ro n g Scott B. Gudes Pre s i d e n t Deputy Under Secret a r y Re s t o r e America’s Estuaries National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad m i n i s t r a t i o n COV E R PH O T O S , clockwise from top left: Steve Delaney, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center; Chesapeake Bay Foundation; NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center; photographer unknown. BAC K CO V E R : NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center. A NATIONAL STRATEGY TO RESTORE COASTAL AND ESTUARINE HABITAT April 2002 Restore America’s Estuaries Contents Ex e c u t i v e Summary . .1 Chapter 1: In t ro d u c t i o n . .7 Chapter 2: Ob j e c t i v e s . .13 Chapter 3: Fra m e w o r k for Restoration Planning and Priority-S e t t i n g . .19 Chapter 4: Regional Analyses of Restoration Planning . .31 Pa r t I - Pacific North w e s t . .32 Pa r t 2 - California and the Pacific Islands . .47 Pa r t 3 - Gulf of Mexi c o . .68 Pa r t 4 - Southeast Atlantic . .83 Pa r t 5 - Northeast Atlantic . .10 9 Pa r t 6 - Great Lakes . .12 6 Chapter 5: Co n c l u s i o n s . .14 9 Ap p e n d i x : Fed e r al Restoration Pro g ra m s . .15 3 C H A P T E R 1 Introduction stuaries and coasts are among America’s most valuable ocean, are linked biologically, chemically and physically. res o u r ces, providing a wide range of services that ben- efit humans and other species. However, like so many For the purposes of this document, coastal and estuarine habi- Enatural environments, estuaries and coastal habitats tat includes the Great Lakes, which contain many estuarine-like have been stressed and degraded by decades of human use and habitats. When the term “estuary” is used here, it generally development. As our population continues to be drawn to refers to the geographic area between the head of tide and the coastal areas, we struggle to find ways to pres e r ve and res t o r e do w n s t r eam terminus struc t u r e. Estuarine watersheds are divid- the qualities that attract us. Habitat restoration offers grea t ed into sub-watersheds, which extend upstream to the headwa- pr omise for reversing the trend of lost and degraded habitat ters of the system. The term “region” is used to denote a large r functions. Citizen’s groups, private organizations, universities or multi-state area identified for purposes of restoration plan- and governments are already conducting restoration activities ning. “Restoration” is defined here as the manipulation of the th r oughout the nation. While there are countless examples of physical, chemical or biological characteristics of a site with successful restoration, it has become apparent that we are not the goal of ret u r ning self-sustaining natural or historic struc t u r e keeping up with the rate of habitat degradation and loss. We and functions to former or degraded habitat. need to develop a strategic approach to refocus our human and financial res o u r ces to establish priorities, set realistic expecta- SE RV I C E S PROV I D E D BY EST UA R I N E tions and work together to achieve greater benefits. A N D COA STA L HA B I TAT Estuaries and coastal areas are home to many ports and indus- In response to this need, a collaboration of scientists, commu- trial areas and the communities that depend on them. They nity leaders, organizations, and government at all levels built va r y in nature from the extensive sounds of North Carolina to on previous effo r ts to produce A National Strategy to Restore the urbanized shores of the San Francisco Bay, but all play vital Coastal and Estuarine Habitat. The Strategy serves to coordi n a t e roles in supporting our nation’s economy and the well-being of the various federal and non-federal coastal and estuarine habi- local citizens. In addition to providing access to maritime tat restoration effo r ts, to provide a comprehensive approach to trade, essential habitat for fisheries and rec r eational opportu n i - pr oject implementation, and to encourage partnerships for new ties, estuaries improve water quality and serve as buffers for restoration effo r ts. This document supplies an approach to coastal upland prop e rt y . restoring function to estuarine and coastal habitat; prov i d e s guidance on planning, selecting, and implementing res t o r a t i o n Estuaries are among the earth ’ s most productive natural sys- pr ojects; and describes the status of restoration planning tems. The nation’s estuarine and coastal waters provide critical ar ound the country. By implementing the approach prov i d e d habitat for various life stages of commercial fish and shellfish. he r e, we can recover and sustain the benefits that estuaries and Habitats such as marshes and mangroves provide refuge, forage coasts provide for us all. and rep r oductive opportunities for fishes, crustaceans, wading bi r ds and a variety of mammals. Estuaries are essential for the EST UA R I E S A N D COA STA L HA B I TAT su r vival and rep r oduction of many species of fish, shellfish and Estuaries are the vibrant zones where rivers mix with the sea. seagrasses. Shallow ponds and seed-producing vegetation are This mixing of freshwater and saltwater creates a mosaic of used by millions of migratory waterfowl every winter. Riparian habitat types, from mangroves and forest-fringed marshes to fo r ests are vital habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife. seagrass meadows and brackish sloughs. These connected coastal ecosystems work together to support a rem a r k a b l e Healthy estuaries and coastal areas help maintain clean water. diversity of flora and fauna and provide a myriad of other serv- Healthy and intact tidal wetlands significantly improve water ices and functions. quality by storing and filtering sediments, and assimilating or trapping nutrients which are taken up by wetland plants. Wit h - Coastal habitats provide an indispensable part of the nation’s out wetlands, no filter would exist for water making its way significant natural res o u r ces and sustain much of its economy. fr om the nation’s rivers and tributaries to the oceans. These habitats, from the headwaters of rivers to the open A N S to Restore Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Coastal and estuarine habitats protect local communities from Total Estuaries Assessed Estuaries flooding, either by damping storm surges from the ocean or 99,465 square miles 28,687 square miles pr oviding storage for floodwaters coming downriver. In addi- tion, riparian and wetland vegetation stabilize shorelines and pr event erosion. 68 % 32 % 16 , 2 0 5 12 , 4 8 2 No t As s e s s e d sq u a r e Go o d Im p a i re d sq u a r e Healthy estuary habitats make an important contribution to As s e s s e d mi l e s 56 % 44 % mi l e s local and national economies through tourism, commercial and rec r eational fishing, aquaculture and other income-prod u c i n g business sectors. With careful stewardship, these benefits for humans and wildlife can continue from generation to genera- Leading Pollutants/Stressors of Estuary Impairment ti o n . Pathogens (bacteria) 47 % TH E NE E D F O R COA STA L A N D EST UA R I N E Oxygen-Depleting Substan c e s 41 % A B I TAT E STO R AT I O N H R Me ta l s 27 % The coastal population of the United States is currently grow - ing faster than the nation’s overall population, a trend that is Nu t r i e n t s 23 % pr ojected to continue.