EPA Ocean and Coastal Protection Programs in New England Melville P. Coté, Jr., Manager Ocean and Coastal Protection Unit U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1 June 7, 2012 Melville P. Coté, Jr., Manager Ocean and Coastal Protection Unit U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1 June 7, 2012

People love the ocean Fish and wildlife habitat Commercial shipping and recreational boating Commercial and recreational fishing Passive recreation Energy production and transmission Water supply for cooling and desalinization Wastewater disposal Waterfront development Fish and wildlife habitat Commercial shipping and recreational boating Commercial and recreational fishing Passive recreation Energy production and transmission Water supply for cooling and desalinization Wastewater disposal Waterfront development

Sometimes too much Habitat degradation and loss Fishery stock depletion Eutrophication Harmful algal blooms (e.g., red tide) Beach and shellfish bed closures Contaminated sediment Non-native, invasive species Human induced coastal erosion Habitat degradation and loss Fishery stock depletion Eutrophication Harmful algal blooms (e.g., red tide) Beach and shellfish bed closures Contaminated sediment Non-native, invasive species Human induced coastal erosion

EPA’s mission is to protect human health and the environment The Ocean and Coastal Protection Unit administers federal programs to protect marine and estuarine waters in New England.

Under these statutory authorities Clean Water Act Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (Ocean Dumping Act) Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 Coastal Zone Management Act Oil Pollution Act National Environmental Policy Act Endangered Species Act Magnuson-Stevens Sustainable Fisheries Act Clean Water Act Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (Ocean Dumping Act) Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 Coastal Zone Management Act Oil Pollution Act National Environmental Policy Act Endangered Species Act Magnuson-Stevens Sustainable Fisheries Act

With lots of help from our partners National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service National Estuarine Research Reserve System U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Coast Guard Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Geological Survey Bureau of Ocean Energy Management State agencies Nongovernmental organizations National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service National Estuarine Research Reserve System U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Coast Guard Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Geological Survey Bureau of Ocean Energy Management State agencies Nongovernmental organizations

What is the unit responsible for? National Estuary Program Ocean dumping/dredging Vessel waste management BEACH Program NPDES/NEPA Technical Assistance NEPA compliance for EPA actions Scientific monitoring and research Regional partnerships National Ocean Policy National Estuary Program Ocean dumping/dredging Vessel waste management BEACH Program NPDES/NEPA Technical Assistance NEPA compliance for EPA actions Scientific monitoring and research Regional partnerships National Ocean Policy

Manage the National Estuary Program “Estuaries of national significance” Casco Bay (1990) Piscataqua Region (1996) Massachusetts Bays (1990) Buzzards Bay (1985) Narragansett Bay (1985) Long Island Sound (1985) “Estuaries of national significance” Casco Bay (1990) Piscataqua Region (1996) Massachusetts Bays (1990) Buzzards Bay (1985) Narragansett Bay (1985) Long Island Sound (1985)

And prepare for climate change Climate Ready Estuaries projects: Casco Bay (2009, 2011) Piscataqua Region (2008, 2011) Massachusetts Bays (2008) Narragansett Bay (2011) Long Island Sound (2009, 2010) Climate Ready Estuaries projects: Casco Bay (2009, 2011) Piscataqua Region (2008, 2011) Massachusetts Bays (2008) Narragansett Bay (2011) Long Island Sound (2009, 2010)

Regulate dredging and ocean dumping Dredging and dredged material management Co-regulate with Corps and coordinate with NMFS, FWS and states Sediment testing to determine “suitability” for aquatic disposal Using Green Book/Inland Testing Manual Disposal site designations Five designated sites (Portland, Mass Bays, Rhode Island, CLIS, WLIS) Disposal site management and monitoring Site Management and Monitoring Plans (SMMPs) Disposal Area Monitoring System (DAMOS) Vessel disposal at sea Burial at Sea Dredging and dredged material management Co-regulate with Corps and coordinate with NMFS, FWS and states Sediment testing to determine “suitability” for aquatic disposal Using Green Book/Inland Testing Manual Disposal site designations Five designated sites (Portland, Mass Bays, Rhode Island, CLIS, WLIS) Disposal site management and monitoring Site Management and Monitoring Plans (SMMPs) Disposal Area Monitoring System (DAMOS) Vessel disposal at sea Burial at Sea

We help states manage vessel waste

And monitor beaches Federal BEACH Act of 2000 Requires frequent monitoring of most public beaches and public notification of results Authorizes annual grants ($ K) to coastal states to support monitoring programs Clean New England Beaches Initiative Goes beyond BEACH Act requirements to encourage identification and elimination of pollutions sources causing beach closures Promotes new technology for monitoring and source identification EPA conducting & supporting sanitary surveys Federal BEACH Act of 2000 Requires frequent monitoring of most public beaches and public notification of results Authorizes annual grants ($ K) to coastal states to support monitoring programs Clean New England Beaches Initiative Goes beyond BEACH Act requirements to encourage identification and elimination of pollutions sources causing beach closures Promotes new technology for monitoring and source identification EPA conducting & supporting sanitary surveys

We provide technical expertise NPDES permitting Marine discharges Power plants Aquaculture Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Endangered Species Act (ESA) Environmental Review (NEPA and other) LNG terminals Offshore wind development Sand and gravel mining Pipelines and cables NPDES permitting Marine discharges Power plants Aquaculture Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Endangered Species Act (ESA) Environmental Review (NEPA and other) LNG terminals Offshore wind development Sand and gravel mining Pipelines and cables

Ensure EPA compliance with NEPA EPA actions subject to NEPA: Designation of ocean dredged material disposal sites New discharges subject to NPDES Construction grants Special appropriation projects EPA actions subject to NEPA: Designation of ocean dredged material disposal sites New discharges subject to NPDES Construction grants Special appropriation projects

Monitoring and research OSV Bold – EPA’s ocean survey vessel Supports EPA statutory and regulatory mandates, and oceans and coastal protection mission Dive Unit Operates under EPA Dive Safety Program Five certified EPA divers Includes ORD AED Dive Unit Conduct joint operations with NOAA, MA DMF, and Corps OSV Bold – EPA’s ocean survey vessel Supports EPA statutory and regulatory mandates, and oceans and coastal protection mission Dive Unit Operates under EPA Dive Safety Program Five certified EPA divers Includes ORD AED Dive Unit Conduct joint operations with NOAA, MA DMF, and Corps

Monitoring and research National Coastal Assessment (NCA) Coordinated by OW with Regional and state support Results provided in National Coastal Condition Report MWRA Outfall Monitoring Science Advisory Panel Enforce compliance with NPDES permit conditions GOMC Ecosystem Indicators Partnership (ESIP) Coordinating with ORD AED research Tiered aquatic life use (TALU) Nutrient criteria Contaminated sediment National Coastal Assessment (NCA) Coordinated by OW with Regional and state support Results provided in National Coastal Condition Report MWRA Outfall Monitoring Science Advisory Panel Enforce compliance with NPDES permit conditions GOMC Ecosystem Indicators Partnership (ESIP) Coordinating with ORD AED research Tiered aquatic life use (TALU) Nutrient criteria Contaminated sediment

Regional Partnerships Northeast Regional Ocean Council Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment Northeast Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems New England Federal Partners New England Regional Dredging Team (Sudbury Group) Coastal America NERIT Northeast Regional Ocean Council Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment Northeast Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems New England Federal Partners New England Regional Dredging Team (Sudbury Group) Coastal America NERIT

We pay attention to new federal policies and initiatives National Ocean Policy/Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning Framework (2010) EPA National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change (2008) National Ocean Policy/Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning Framework (2010) EPA National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change (2008)

National Ocean Council

Nine Priority Objectives (primary interest to EPA) How We Do Business: 1. Ecosystem-Based Management: Adopt as a foundational principle for comprehensive management of the ocean and coasts. 2. Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning: Implement comprehensive, integrated ecosystem-based planning in the US. 3. Inform Decisions and Improve Understanding: Increase knowledge, improve management and policy decisions to respond to change and challenges. Better educate the public. 4. Coordinate and Support: Better coordinate and support national, local and regional management. Improve Federal Government coordination and integration, engage with the international community. How We Do Business: 1. Ecosystem-Based Management: Adopt as a foundational principle for comprehensive management of the ocean and coasts. 2. Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning: Implement comprehensive, integrated ecosystem-based planning in the US. 3. Inform Decisions and Improve Understanding: Increase knowledge, improve management and policy decisions to respond to change and challenges. Better educate the public. 4. Coordinate and Support: Better coordinate and support national, local and regional management. Improve Federal Government coordination and integration, engage with the international community.

Nine Priority Objectives (primary interest to EPA) Nine Areas of Special Emphasis: 1. Resiliency and Adaptation to Climate Change: Strengthen resiliency of coastal communities and marine environments and their abilities to adapt to climate change impacts and acidification. 2. Regional Ecosystem Restoration: Establish, align and implement an integrated, science-based ecosystem restoration strategy and goals at all levels. 3. Water Quality and Sustainable Practices on Land: Enhance water quality by promoting and implementing sustainable practices on land. 4. Changing Conditions in the Arctic: Address environmental stewardship needs in the Arctic and adjacent coastal areas in the face of climate induced and other changes. 5. Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Observations and Infrastructure: Strengthen and integrate Federal and non-Federal ocean observing systems, data collection and mapping. Nine Areas of Special Emphasis: 1. Resiliency and Adaptation to Climate Change: Strengthen resiliency of coastal communities and marine environments and their abilities to adapt to climate change impacts and acidification. 2. Regional Ecosystem Restoration: Establish, align and implement an integrated, science-based ecosystem restoration strategy and goals at all levels. 3. Water Quality and Sustainable Practices on Land: Enhance water quality by promoting and implementing sustainable practices on land. 4. Changing Conditions in the Arctic: Address environmental stewardship needs in the Arctic and adjacent coastal areas in the face of climate induced and other changes. 5. Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Observations and Infrastructure: Strengthen and integrate Federal and non-Federal ocean observing systems, data collection and mapping.

Thank you! (617) Acknowledgements: (617) Acknowledgements: