National Estuaries Day and its feature event, EstuaryLive are brought to you by NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserves in collaboration with U.S. EPA's National Estuary Programs. The Reserves and NEPs have a unique partnership, they work together to protect estuaries around the country, but take a slightly different approach to achieve their common goal.

What are the NERRs?
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) is a network of twenty-seven protected areas established for long-term research, water quality monitoring, education and stewardship. Each of the 27 Reserves represents a different biogeographic region of the United States. A biogeographic region is a geographic area with similar dominate plants, animals and prevailing climate. There are 11 major biogeographic regions around the coast, with 29 sub regions. Established by Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, the reserve system is a partnership program between NOAA and the coastal states. NOAA provides funding, national guidance and technical assistance. Each reserve is managed on daily basis by a lead state agency or university, with input from local partners.

Reserve staff work with local communities and regional groups to address natural resource management issues, such as nonpoint source pollution, habitat restoration and invasive species. Through integrated research and education, the reserves help communities develop strategies to deal successfully with these coastal resource issues. Reserves provide adult audiences with training on estuarine issues of concern in their local communities. They offer field classes for K-12 students and support teachers through professional development programs in marine education. Reserves also provide long-term water quality monitoring as well as opportunities for both scientists and graduate students to conduct research in a "living laboratory".

What are the NEPs?
U.S. EPA's National Estuary Program (NEP) was established by Congress in 1987 to improve the quality of estuaries of national importance. The Clean Water Act Section 320 directs the U.S. EPA to develop plans for attaining or maintaining water quality in an estuary. This includes the protection of public water supplies, the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife, and allows recreational activities, in and on water, and requires the development of supplemental controls for point and nonpoint sources of pollution.

The NEPs work with local stakeholders, including state agencies, universities, other not-for-profit organizations, the local community- to name a few, to develop and implement a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). The CCMP addresses all aspects of environmental protection for the estuary, including issues such as water quality, habitat, living resources, and land use. The CCMP is based on a scientific characterization of the estuary, and is developed and approved by a broad-based coalition of stakeholders. The CCMP establishes priorities for action, research, and funding, and serves as a blueprint to guide future decisions and activities related to the estuary.

Working Together to Achieve the Same Goal
NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserves and U.S. EPA's National Estuary Programs are working together to improve the health of estuarine ecosystems around the country. Both the Reserves and NEPs work with local stakeholders to protect these delicate ecosystems. Both programs provide outreach and education for the general public and conduct research. As mentioned above, Reserves are tasked with preserving pristine ecosystems in the different biogeographic regions of the country. These ecosystems are maintained and preserved under the guidance of Reserve staff. All Reserves have educational and research facilities on-site, providing an opportunity for visitors to come to the Reserve and learn about the research and stewardship activities currently underway. The NEPs are tasked with enhancing the water quality and health of impaired ecosystems or estuaries that may be susceptible to degradation. The NEPs do not all have educational and research facilities on-site. The NEPs work closely with a group of stakeholders to improve the water quality of an estuary and to develop and implement their educational programs and research initiatives.