33 



— Improved delivery of critical information on sensitive 

 estuarine habitats for response to spills. 



The Plan's third element proposes a joint NOAA/state effort to 

 monitor changes in the health of coastal ecosystems. Building on 

 the existing National Status and Trends Program, NOAA will 

 enhance its monitoring effort by implementing the National 

 Coastal Monitoring Act with the Environmental Protection Agency 

 and the States. 



Further, NOAA will continue its CoastWatch Change Analysis 

 Program, monitoring the land cover habitats in the coastal region 

 at least every five years. We will also establish a Biodiversity 

 Information Clearinghouse and network. 



A fourth element proposes to increase our understanding of the 

 causes and significance of ecosystem changes. For example, 

 ecosystem health studies are planned for selected regional 

 watersheds to determine the cumulative effects of human-induced 

 ecosystem stress, in order to provide improved scientific basis 

 for management decisions in those areas. 



We plan to develop the modelling capability to support ecosystem 

 prediction and guide useful management actions; these advanced 



15 



