Inventory Atlas

Supplement 2a. NOAA’s National Estuarine Research and Reserve System Program Description and Status Summary

Program Mission. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of relatively pristine estuarine areas that are protected from development impacts and provide reference sites for research, monitoring and education programs that focus on functional ecosystems. The reserves and associated programs are managed through federal, state and local partnerships to support informed management of the nation’s estuarine and coastal habitats.

Authorizing Legislation. The reserve system was established by Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972, as amended.

Under the CZMA, the Secretary of Commerce may designate an estuarine area as a national estuarine research reserve if--

(1) the Governor of the coastal state in which the area is located nominates the area for that designation; and

(2) the Secretary finds that--

(A) the area is a representative estuarine ecosystem that is suitable for long-term research and contributes to the biogeographical and typological balance of the system;

(B) the law of the coastal state provides long-term protection for reserve resources to ensure a stable environment for research;

(C) designation of the area as a reserve will serve to enhance public awareness and understanding of estuarine areas, and provide suitable opportunities for public education and interpretation; and

(D) the coastal state in which the area is located has complied with the requirements of any regulations issued by the Secretary to implement this section.

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Management. The reserve system is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the coastal states. NOAA administers the overall system. NOAA establishes standards for designating and operating reserves, supports the operation of each reserve through funding and technical assistance, undertakes projects that benefit the entire system, and integrates information from individual reserves to support decision making at the national level. State agencies and universities own the reserves and are responsible for their management and the implementation of system-wide programs. They provide the staff and a portion of the funding required to successfully operate each reserve. In addition to nationwide programs, state agencies maintain the reserve's interests and support informed decisions in local and regional issues.

Federal designation of a national estuarine research reserve does not impose additional regulations. Designation strengthens the protection offered by state and regional laws by providing funding and support for research, education, and coastal stewardship programs. An area may only be designated as a national estuarine research reserve if it is suitable for conducting long-term research and enhancing public awareness of estuaries. The laws of the coastal state (including county or local ordinances) must be sufficient to ensure a stable environment for long-term research.

Types of Areas Protected. A reserve is a discrete area containing key habitat within an estuary that is protected by state law from significant ecological change. Reserves are selected to represent different types of estuaries and large biogeographic regions within the nation. There are 25 National Estuarine Research Reserves, encompassing more than one million acres of estuarine land and water. Each reserve protects diverse estuarine ecosystems, including a variety of rare, endangered and threatened species. The ranges of habitats protected are as diverse as the reserve system itself. The spectrum includes open water, salt marshes, barrier islands, mudflats, coastal dunes, eelgrass beds, tidal freshwater marshes, tidal brackish water, lowland forests, upland fields and more.

Inventory Status of Program Sites. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System currently has 25 sites included in the inventory.

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