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pollution control programs. 



The Plan calls for adding essential support, technical staff and 

 equipment for the National Marine Sanctuaries, National Estuarine 

 Research Reserves, and for coastal habitat protection to 

 implement the concept of ecosystem management. We are working 

 with the Department of the Interior to identify and develop 

 marine biodiversity research capabilities as the first step 

 toward building a marine complement to the proposed National 

 Biological Survey. NOAA also will strengthen its habitat 

 protection program to allow more integrated ecosystem protection. 

 This will be accomplished by increasing pre-project consultations 

 and participation in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

 relicensing of all major hydropower facilities, among others 

 actions. 



The second element of the Coastal Ecosystem program calls 

 for actions to better assess threats to the health and 

 productivity of the Nation's coastal resources. Just two 

 examples are: 



— Watershed assessments to determine the effects of cumulative 

 coastal development, toxics, habitat loss and nutrient over- 

 enrichment; and 



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