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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