February 14, 2013

The Honorable Barbara Mikulski Chairwoman Appropriations Committee United States Senate 503 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Richard Shelby Ranking Member Appropriations Committee United States Senate 304 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chairwoman Mikulski and Ranking Member Shelby: In recognition of Valentines Day, Association of National Estuary Programs (ANEP), National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA), and Restore Americas Estuaries (RAE) are working together to ask for your strong support for key federal programs that benefit estuaries and the states. Our nations coastal economy contributes more than $258 billion annually to GDP through fisheries and seafood production, tourism, recreation, transportation, and construction. This economy relies on healthy, resilient, and productive coasts and coastal communities. Our organizations recognize four programs that are essential to estuary protection and restoration efforts: the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) National Estuary Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) Community-Based Restoration Program, NOAAs National Estuarine Research Reserve System, and the US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) Coastal Program. The EPAs National Estuary Program is an important place-based program to protect and restore the water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries of national significance. There are currently 28 NEP sites throughout the nation all of which are working to implement long-term management plans that contain specific targeted actions designed to address water quality, habitat, and living resources challenges in their watershed. More than 42 percent of the continental U.S. shoreline is included in the NEP, and 15 percent of all Americans live within NEP designated watersheds, with thousands of new residents arriving every year. EPA has recognized that NEP is EPAs flagship watershed protection effort, providing inclusive, community-based planning and action at the watershed level. NOAAs Community-Based Restoration Program accomplishes on-the-ground projects to restore the nations coastal, marine, and migratory fish habitat. Healthier habitats, as a result of restoration efforts, buffer against storms, prevent coastal erosion, protect vital infrastructure,

eliminate public safety hazards, support commercial fishing and provide new recreational opportunities. The program has involved more than 180,000 volunteers in projects and generated nearly $150 million in cash and in-kind contributions by using only $65 million in NOAA funds. NOAAs National Estuarine Research Reserve System is comprised of 28 places of land and water where long term research, education, training, and stewardship occur. The 28 Reserves and the public's use of these places have significant local, regional, and national economic and societal benefits because the lands are publicly owned and function as living laboratories and classrooms that are used by scientists, decision makers, educators, and people of all ages. The Reserves provide critical assistance to coastal communities, industries, and resource managers in defending against extreme weather impacts, like Super storm Sandy, and catastrophic events, such as the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Nationwide more than 10,000 local volunteers and friends work to support the program in their local communities. USFWSs Coastal Program is an effective partnership that brings together the Services scientists, coastal communities, and conservation partners to protect and restore habitat in coastal regions, as well as coastal rivers. Their efforts are critical to improving the health of these ecosystems, which has declined nationally due to increasing development stressors, pollution, shoreline modification, and over-harvesting. Not only is the Coastal Program helping to provide vital habitat, protect inland areas from erosion, and filter sediment and polluted runoff from watersheds, it also is improving economies in coastal communities by supporting restoration, recreation, tourism and fishing industries. The program serves as a catalyst for economic investment by leveraging an average of $8 for every $1 in federal funds. This means that for every $1 million cut to federal Coastal program funding, $8 million in leverage would be lost. Cuts break our heart. We urge you to prioritize these programs and ensure sustained federal investment. Funding cuts will delay projects and thwart efforts to achieve long-term conservation and restoration goals. In addition, cuts will mean a reduction of operation hours for visitor centers, trails, and waterways available to the public. Cuts mean real consequences and negative impacts to communities, waters, and their associated economies. Please make estuary protection, management, and restoration programs a top priority by preventing further funding cuts. These special places are the natural life-blood of our country and must be restored to ensure benefits to the economy and future generations. Thank you for your consideration and we hope you will show your love for estuaries by supporting these critical programs throughout the appropriations process.

Sincerely (with love), Association of National Estuary Programs National Estuarine Research Reserve Association Restore Americas Estuaries CC: Appropriations Committee Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Management and Budget U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency