National Estuarine Research Reserve

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a program of the United States government. The program establishes federal-state partnerships under the Coastal Zone Management Act to create a system of estuarine research reserves representative of the various regions and estuarine types in the United States. The first reserve was established in Oregon in 1974. As of 2010, the program has established 28 reserves.^[1]

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System was established by the United States Government to develop a partnership between individual states and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to coordinate the preservation of a network of protected areas spanning the coastal United States. The goal is the establishment of long-term research, education and stewardship of the critical coastal wetlands and estuaries. The partnership program oversees more than one million acres (4,000 km²) of estuarine land, wetlands, and water. This protected areas provides essential habitat for wildlife.^[2]

National Estuarine Research Reserves are protected areas representing a spectrum of biogeographic regions of the country, ranging from the pristine to those that have been significantly impacted by human use.^[2]

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of protected areas established for long-term research, education and stewardship. This partnership program between NOAA and the coastal states protects more than one million acres (4,000 km²) of estuarine land and water, which provides essential habitat for wildlife; offers educational opportunities for students, teachers and the public; and serves as living laboratories for scientists.^[3]

History

For thousands of years, coastal and estuarine environments have provided people with food, safe harbors, transportation access, flood control, and a place to play and relax. The pressures on the nation’s coast are enormous and the impacts on economies and ecosystems are becoming increasingly evident. Severe storms, climate change, pollution, habitat alteration and rapid population growth threaten the ecological functions that have supported coastal communities throughout history. As a network of 28 protected areas established for long-term research, education and stewardship, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System has a unique role to play in keeping coastal ecosystems healthy and productive.^{[citation needed]}

The reserve system is a partnership program between the NOAA and coastal states that has protected more than 1.3 million acres (5,300 km²) of coastal and estuarine habitat since the program was established by the Coastal Zone Management Act in 1972. NOAA provides funding, national guidance and technical assistance. Each reserve is managed on a daily basis by a lead state agency, non-profit organization or university with input from local partners. Through careful stewardship, innovative science and education, and relevant training programs, the reserves encourage careful management and protection of local estuarine and coastal resources.^{[citation needed]}

The Coastal Zone Management Act created the reserve system to protect estuarine areas, provide educational opportunities, promote and conduct estuarine research and monitoring, and transfer relevant information to coastal managers. For the next five years, core reserve programs will focus on four priority topics: impacts of land use and population growth; habitat loss and alteration; water quality degradation; and changes in biological communities. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System’s 2005-2010 Strategic Plan articulates how the strengths of the reserve system will be applied to address the major challenges of coastal management.[2]

Program Goals

The program's goals are^[4]:

• ensure a stable environment for research through long-term protection of National Estuarine Research Reserve resources
• address coastal management issues identified as significant through coordinated estuarine research within the System
• enhance public awareness and understanding of estuarine areas and provide suitable opportunities for public education and interpretation
• promote Federal, state, public and private use of one or more Reserves within the System when such entities conduct estuarine research;
• conduct and coordinate estuarine research within the System, gathering and making available information necessary for improved understanding and management of estuarine areas.

National Estuarine Research Reserves

• Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve - Florida (1979)
• Ashepoo Combahee Edisto Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve - South Carolina (1992)
• Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Maryland) - Maryland (1985)
• Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Virginia) - Virginia (1991)
• Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve - Delaware (1993)
• Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve - California (1979)
• Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Mississippi (1999)
• Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - New Hampshire (1989)
• Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve - Florida (1999)
• Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve - New York (1982)
• Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve - New Jersey (1998)
• Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Puerto Rico (1981)
• Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Alaska (1999)
• Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve - Wisconsin (2011)
• Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve - Texas (2006)
• Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Rhode Island (1989)
• North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve - North Carolina (1985)
• North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - South Carolina (1992)
• Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve - Ohio (1980)
• Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Washington (1980)
• Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Florida (1978)
• San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - California (2003)
• Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve - Georgia (1976)
• South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve - Oregon (1974)
• Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve - California (1981)
• Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Massachusetts (1988)
• Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Alabama (1986)
• Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve - Maine (1984)

See also

• Charlotte Harbor (estuary)
• Keewaydin Island
• Marco Island
• Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation

External links

• MPA listing
• National Estuarine Research Reserve System
• National Estuarine Research Reserve System on NOSA

References

1. ^ "NERRS Reserves - Lake Superior, WI". http://www.nerrs.noaa.gov/Reserve.aspx?ResID=LKS. Retrieved 2010-12-07. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "The National Estuarine Research Reserve System". http://nerrs.noaa.gov/welcome.html#. Retrieved 2007-01-27. 
3. ^ National Estuarine Research Reserve System Program, website accessed on 15 Feb 2007
4. ^ [1], Unable to access as of 14 December 2006 to confirm ref