Coastal Conservation Programs

 

Coastal ecosystems are dynamic, diverse areas of enormous ecological significance. They contain some of the nation's most productive wildlife habitats, support valuable fisheries, and provide recreation for millions of people. With proper stewardship, these areas should continue to meet many differing human demands without compromising ecological integrity or biological diversity.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working to conserve coastal resources to benefit present and future generations. The following programs contribute to these coastal conservation efforts:

• The Coastal Program identifies important coastal resource problems and solutions, seeks partnerships to carry out on-the-ground conservation projects, and encourages public action in 16 of the nation's highest priority coastal areas. Since 1994, this program has restored 93,700 acres of wetlands, 24,500 acres of uplands and protected over 1 million acres of coastal habitats. In addition, it has reopened barriers to fish passage in coastal streams for anadromous fish passage and restored 961 miles of riparian (streamside) habitat.

• Under a competitive application program, Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants are awarded each year to coastal States for the acquisition, restoration, or enhancement of coastal wetlands and tidelands. Since the first grants were given out in 1992, 25 States and one U.S. Territory have been awarded $139 million to protect and/or restore about 167,000 acres of coastal wetlands ecosystems.

• Legislation passed in 1982 and 1990 limits federal subsidies for development within the Coastal Barriers Resources System. This legislation currently applies to the Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast, and Great Lakes. The results: Federal funds are saved, lives are protected, and important coastal natural resources are conserved.

Last updated March 2, 2004.