EPA and Ecosystem-Based Management: Success of the Watershed Approach Michael H. Shapiro Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water, US EPA Capitol Hill Oceans Week June 9, 2004

Presentation Summary

• Ocean Commission Report Themes • Watershed Management at EPA – What is it?

– Application to ocean/coastal protection • Water Quality Monitoring 2

Ocean Commission Report

• Theme: Ecosystem-based management should guide ocean policy • Theme: Watershed approach needed to address threats to oceans and coasts • Theme: Strengthen science, generate high-quality information 3

Watershed Protection at EPA: The Watershed Approach • Emphasis in EPA water programs for more than a decade • Focuses collaborative, multi-program efforts within hydrologically-defined boundaries • Key component of EPA’s new Strategic Plan • Reflected in numerous ongoing EPA/state water programs 4

Watershed Protection: Core Clean Water Act (CWA) Programs • Commission identifies need to reduce polluted runoff • EPA works with states to address water pollution comprehensively within watershed boundaries: – Grants for nonpoint source projects with watershed plans and performance monitoring – Watershed-based TMDLs for point and nonpoint sources 5

Watershed Protection: The National Estuary Program • 28 estuaries of national significance – Stakeholder-driven, collaborative • Focus is on environmental results (nearly 750,000 acres of habitat protected or restored) •

Vital link to EPA/ state programs addressing land based pollution sources

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Watershed Protection: Efforts in Key Watersheds • Efforts demonstrate value of watershed approach • Examples: – Targeted Watershed Grants Program —2005 budget proposal: Extend and increase to $25 million, $10 million targeted to nutrient control in Chesapeake Bay – Great Waterbody Programs 7

Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment • Key EPA/state program need and priority • Reflected in new Strategic Plan – Development of scientifically sound monitoring program – Collection and analysis of data to determine health of all waters, particularly coastal waters 8

Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment: NCCR • National Coastal Condition Report – Reports on condition of coastal waters on national and regional scale – Developed by EPA, NOAA, and DOI – Much of the data are collected by states – First NCCR issued in 2002 – Model for expanded national monitoring effort 9

Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment: NCCR I 10

Conclusion

• EPA pleased with Commission support of ecosystem/watershed approaches and increased monitoring • Themes align closely with EPA water quality priorities • Web sites: http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/ http://www.epa.gov/water/waterplan/ 11