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Water: Oceans, Coasts, Estuaries & Beaches

Oceans, Coasts, Estuaries & Beaches

Oceans, Coasts, Estuaries & Beaches Quick Finder
Oceans, Coasts, Estuaries & Beaches Learn About Estuaries Coastal Watershed Protection Marine Pollution Prevention Monitoring and AssessmentOcean & Coastal Partnerships Coasts for Kids Frequently Asked Questions

National Ocean Policy
On July 19, 2010, the President issued Executive Order 13547 (EO) that establishes the Nation’s first comprehensive National Policy for the stewardship of the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes. The EO adopts the Final Recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, and directs Federal agencies to take steps to implement them. It also creates an interagency National Ocean Council to strengthen ocean governance, and provide sustained, high-level focus on the national priority objectives for action to advance the National Policy. On November 9th, 2010, EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe attended the inaugural National Ocean Council meeting where Agency responsibilities were discussed along with the ambitious set of actions the National Policy lays out. EPA is now in the process of working with Federal, State, and tribal partners to coordinate efforts in implementing the goals and priorities outlined by EO 13547 and the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force Final Recommendations. 

The EO, Final Recommendations, and other key documents can found at the National Ocean Council website (http://www.whitehouse.gov/oceans).

Coastal Watershed Protection

OSV Bold
The EPA ship Ocean Survey Vessel (OSV) Bold docked in Baltimore Harbor in 2007.

Marine Pollution Prevention

Monitoring and Assessment

Ocean and Coastal Partnerships

Public Health Protection at Beaches

Other Marine and Coastal Activities: Marine and Ocean Discharges, Creating Artificial Reefs, Invasive Species, Volunteers


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