Gulf of Mexico Division Protecting and Preserving the Gulf of Mexico Who We Are The Gulf of Mexico Division (GMD) is one of the EPAs Great Water Body Programs whose geographic focus is on the major environmental issues of the Gulf of Mexico region and its watershed. The GMD is committed to voluntary, nonregulatory actions and solutions that are based on sound scientific and technical information as shown by our work with partners and the public. Our program consists of two branches of experienced staff: Science Integration and Analysis Branch Promoting and implementing science to benefit the Gulf of Mexico and its communities. What We Do £&& Partnerships VIV Branch Encouraging positive behavioral practices and promoting awareness of resources, technologies and environmental initiatives. The Science Integration and Analysis Branch and the Partnerships Branch work with each of the five U.S. Gulf Coast states and other stakeholders in the Gulf of Mexico Watershed including the six Mexican Gulf Coast states on projects that support the following priority areas: Education and Outreach Promote and support environmental education and outreach Habitat Restoration Restore, enhance and/or protect habitat acreage Water Quality Improve understanding of water quality conditions and/or improve water quality Community Resilience Improve understanding of vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience ------- The EPA's Gulf of Mexico Division is focused on the health, productivity and restoration of the Gulf of Mexico and the communities that rely on this national resource. The Gulf of Mexico is recognized worldwide as a vast and productive body of water with tremendous ecological, economic and social value. 31 U.S. states and a large portion of Mexico drain into the watershed. The watershed encompasses over 5 million acres. The watershed serves as an essential habitat for countless fish and wildlife species. The watershed is made up of 33 major rivers The watershed constitutes 66% of the total estuarine wetland acreage in the U.S. The U.S. Gulf coastline is 1,630 miles long Gulf of Mexico Watershed O Mississippi River Gulf Drainage Basin Drainage Basin (Non Mississippi) *>EPA Gulf of Mexico Division 2510 14th Street, Suite 1212, Gulfport, MS 39501 (P) 228-679-5915 (F) 228-679-5921 Learn more: www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico Publication Number: 904 F24 001 ------- |