CRE
     IS UNDERWAY!

EPA provides targeted assistance to NEPs
to assess climate change vulnerability and plan
for adaptation.
Since 2008, CRE has partnered with NEPs to
work on a wide variety of climate-related impacts
to their watersheds. Drinking water, shellfish,
infrastructure, coastal hazards, sea-level rise,
stormwater, wetlands, and other subjects have
been the focus of NEP projects.
Read more about specific projects, publications,
tools, and resources at the CRE website.
www.epa.gov/cre
PROGRAM
      CONTACTS

If you are a coastal manager with specific
questions on the program, please contact:

Jeremy Martinich
martinich.jeremy@epa.gov
Climate Change Division
EPA Office of Air and Radiation
(202)343-9871

Michael Craghan
craghan.michael@epa.gov
Oceans and Coastal Protection Division
EPA Office of Water
(202)566-1946

For media or press inquiries, please visit
www.epa.gov/newsroom/contact-us.htm.
                                                      United States
                                                      Environmental Protection
                                                      Agency
                       Office of Air and Radiation
                       Office of Water
                       E PA 842-F-1 1-008
                       June 201 I
CLIMATE READY
        ESTU ARI ES

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PROTECTING
     CRITICAL  RESOURCES

Estuaries are places where rivers meet the
sea. They are highly productive and unique
ecosystems. Millions of people live, work, and
play in estuaries, and they are home to many
industries critical to our nation's prosperity.
However, estuaries are projected to be
particularly vulnerable to many climate change
effects. Impacts that may occur include:
  • Damage to and loss of wetlands, coastal
   property, and infrastructure due to inundation
   and more severe coastal storms.
  • Changes to water availability and quality,
   including impacts to groundwater and
   drinking water.
  • Changes in habitat, fisheries, and other
   plant and animal distributions.
                                                    ADAPTING
                                                        TO CLIMATE CHANGE

                                                    The Climate  Ready Estuaries (CRE) program
                                                    is a partnership between EPA and the National
                                                    Estuary Programs (NEPs) to address climate
                                                    change in coastal areas. This effort is building
                                                    additional capacity in coastal communities as they
                                                    prepare to adapt to the effects of climate change.

                                                    Climate Ready Estuaries is supporting NEPs and
                                                    coastal communities in becoming "climate ready"
                                                    by providing  tools and assistance to:

                                                    • Assess climate change vulnerabilities
                                                    • Engage and  educate stakeholders
                                                    • Develop and implement adaptation strategies
                                                    • Share lessons learned with other
                                                      coastal managers
Get Ready!
Coastal resource managers can reduce these risks,
reduce future costs, and improve resiliency by acting
now to identify areas that are particularly vulnerable,
establish monitoring that will warn of impending
changes, and develop and implement adaptation plans.
                                                    INFORMING
                                                        COASTAL MANAGERS

                                                    Visit the Climate Ready Estuaries website to
                                                    find information on climate change impacts and
                                                    adaptation, including:

                                                    CRE Projects
                                                    These projects serve as valuable case studies
                                                    and highlight lessons learned to share with
                                                    coastal managers.

                                                    CRE Publications
                                                    Reports, studies, and other documents provide
                                                    extensive information about climate change
                                                    adaptation strategies targeted at NEP partners
                                                    and other coastal resource managers.

                                                    EPA Reports and Other Resources
                                                    A select online guide provides information about
                                                    products,  data, tools, workshops, and technical
                                                    assistance available for all NEPs and other
                                                    coastal managers.
www.epa.gov/cre

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