Habitat Restoration

Habitat restoration is an emerging science and NOAA is poised to make great strides in the field. Within NOAA, several Line Offices are involved with the restoration of coastal habitats adversely affected by human actions and/or natural events. An informal survey in 2001 identified over 25 such programs spread across the National Ocean Service (NOS), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), with estimated funding of over $300 million1. The programs operate under a variety of authorities for different purposes, with differing goals, resources, and capabilities. The broad range of programs and activities has led to the implementation of a matrix management approach to habitat restoration. The NOAA Habitat Restoration Program (Restoration Program) is a cross-line office program that leads and coordinates NOAA’s restoration activities to fulfill the NOAA habitat restoration mission in a coordinated and effective manner. This cooperative approach provided through the Restoration Program fosters data and information exchange among NOAA’s restoration programs. Such data sharing will support the development and application of "best practices," promote strategic funding decisions, and enhance the rate at which benefits are applied to restored habitats.

• Restore ocean, coastal and Great Lakes habitats used by or beneficial to
resources under NOAA’s stewardship.
• Advance the science (including social sciences) underlying coastal habitat
restoration and develop improved technology for achieving successful
restoration.
• Transfer restoration information, technology and results of monitoring,
research, and other evaluations to the private and public sectors and other
governmental agencies at the federal, state, and local levels through
education and outreach.