finfish. More frequently, pollution problems limit desirable uses of 

 the estuary like recreational and commercial finfishing and 

 shellfishing, and may even close beaches to swimming. Other 

 important uses, such as shipping, municipal and industrial water 

 use and disposal, may not be affected by environmental problems. 

 Nevertheless, the program assumes that these potentially conflict- 

 ing use demands can be met through collaborative planning. 



Through 1 986, program activities were supported by broad legis- 

 lative authorities and funding appropriations. Despite the com- 

 plexity and pressing nature of the problems, the Congress had yet 

 to enact legislation aimed specifically at these fragile bodies of 

 water. This situation was about to change. 



Passage of the Water Quality Act of 1987 signaled recognition by 

 Congress that the health of the nation's estuaries had to be 

 protected. The new law amends and extends the Federal Water 

 Pollution Control Act of 1972 and its 1977 amendments, known as 

 the Clean Water Act. The Water Quality Act formally establishes 

 the National Estuary Program. Section 317 declares that the in- 

 crease in coastal population, demands for development, and other 

 direct and indirect uses of the estuaries threaten these unique 

 bodies of water. The law further states that it is in the national 

 interest to maintain the ecological integrity of the nation's estuaries 

 through long-term planning and management. 



Section 320(b) of the Water Quality Act of 1987 states the purposes 

 of Management Conferences. 



(b) PURPOSES OF CONFERENCE.— The purposes of any 

 management conference convened with respect to an estuary under 

 this subsection shall be to — 



(1) assess trends in water quality, natural resources, and 

 uses of the estuary; 



(2) collect, characterize, and assess data on toxics, nutrients, 

 and natural resources within the estuarine zone to identify the causes 

 of environmental problems; 



(3) develop the relationship between the inplace loads and 

 point and nonpoint loadings of pollutants to the estuarine zone and 

 the potential uses of the zone, water quality, and natural resources; 



(4) develop a comprehensive conservation and manage- 

 ment plan that recommends priority corrective actions and com- 

 pliance schedules addressing point and nonpoint sources of 

 pollution to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and 

 biological integrity of the estuary, including restoration and main- 

 tenance of water quality, a balanced indigenous population of 

 shellfish, fish and wildlife, and recreational activities in the estuary, 

 and assure that the designated uses of the estuary are protected; 



(5) develop plans for the coordinated implementation of the 

 plan by the States as well as Federal and local agencies participating 

 in the conference; 



(6) monitor the effectiveness of actions taken pursuant to the 

 plan; and 



(7) review all Federal development projects in accordance 

 with the requirements of Executive Order 12372, as in effect on 

 September 17, 1983, to determine whether such assistance 

 programs or projects would be consistent with and further the 

 purposes and objectives of the plan prepared under this section." 



Section 320 authorizes the EPA Administrator to convene Manage- 

 ment Conferences to develop comprehensive plans for estuaries 

 of national significance. The conferees are charged with balancing 

 the conflicting uses in the estuary while restoring or maintaining its 

 natural character. 



Water Quality Act 

 of 1987 



