- Sarah Lehmann, Team Leader for National Aquatic Resource Surveys, Monitoring Branch, U.S. EPA's Office of Water, Washington, DC
- Hugh Sullivan, Environmental Protection Specialist, on Detail to the Monitoring Branch, U.S. EPA's Office of Water, Washington, DC
Please join us for a Webcast on EPA's recently released National Coastal Condition Assessment (NCCA) 2010 report. This report shows that more than half of the nation's coastal and Great Lakes nearshore waters are rated good for biological and sediment quality, while about one-third are rated good for water quality. In almost all coastal waters, however, contaminants in fish tissue pose a threat to sensitive predator fish, birds, and wildlife. The National Coastal Condition Assessment is part of a series of National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS) designed to advance the science of monitoring and answer critical questions about the conditions of waters in the United States.
"Since more than half the nation's population lives near coastal waters, and that number is increasing every year, it is important for us to understand the condition of these highly productive and fragile habitats so we can properly manage and protect them," said Joel Beauvais, EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water. "The latest science confirms we must keep paying close attention to our coastal waters, reduce the pollutants that are harming water quality, and protect those areas still in good condition."
The Webcast will provide a brief overview of the National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS) that provide information on lakes, rivers and streams, coastal waters and wetlands, and will also highlight the key findings from the NCCA 2010 report.
- Final Coastal Condition Flyer (PDF)(1 pg, 575 K)
- PowerPoint presentation for Feb. 25, 2016 Webcast (PDF)(28 pp, 7 MB)