Program 



Integration 



and Coordination 



The Water Quality Act, in fact, specifically mandates tfiat public 

 participation must be provided for, encouraged, and assisted by 

 EPA and the states. In an estuary program, opportunities to inform 

 and involve the citizenry occur through the CAC, but are broadened 

 by a public participation program that develops educational 

 materials, conferences, workshops, and public meetings. 



Public acceptance, or informed consent, is necessary for CCMP 

 implementation. The public, after all, pays for cleanup. Public 

 pressure helps to ensure that federal, state, and local commitments 

 for program implementation are met. Moreover, restoration and 

 maintenance of an estuary is a long and arduous task. It requires 

 public appreciation of the estuary's value for the citizens of today 

 and tomorrow. (For guidance on how to develop a public participa- 

 tion program, see Appendix B.) 



The key to successful implementation of the CCMP may well be 

 the influence of the EPA Administrator, affected state governors, 

 and local elected officials. Through their efforts, the expertise and 

 resources of other governmental programs — at federal, state, and 

 local levels — can be applied to this effort. But these officials cannot 

 carry the burden alone. 



During all four phases of an estuary program, coordination among 

 jurisdictions, agencies, and existing programs is vital. This is par- 

 ticularly important when responsibility for devising action plans is 

 assigned. The Water Quality Act specifically requires that plans be 

 drawn for coordinated CCMP implementation by the states as well 

 as by federal and local agencies participating in the Conference. 

 Each action plan, therefore, not only delineates roles and respon- 

 sibilities for Conference participants, but also provides for the 

 resource commitments to carry out the plan. 



A specific role has been assigned under the Act to the National 

 Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NCAA). At the EPA 

 Administrator's request, NQAA is authorized to conduct monitoring 

 and research activities. Although the Act does not specify roles for 

 other federal agencies, they may also be involved in estuarine 

 protection. 



In addition, many federal statutes address this concern. Among 

 them are the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; 

 Coastal Zone Management Act; Fisheries Conservation and 

 Management Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; 1 985 

 Farm Bill; Safe Drinking Water Act; Clean Air Act; and Comprehen- 

 sive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 

 (known as Superfund). 



State laws and regulatory programs also affect the restoration and 

 maintenance of estuaries. Many counties and other local sub- 

 divisions are engaged in similar efforts as well. Each estuary 

 program identifies and includes local, state, federal, and non- 

 governmental programs that are or could be involved in this effort. 

 The CCMP must consider, however, already established regulatory 

 time frames, such as NPDES permit review cycles. 



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