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 ------- 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 ------- |