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Abstract:
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Galveston Bay ranks high among the nation's great bay systems, providing huge economic benefits to the region and state. Remarkably, the bay's natural resources are self-renewing as long as the bay remains healthy and productive. However, Galveston Bay, like many other U.S. bays, now faces significant problems related to habitat loss and species declines, conflicting human uses, and pollution. Some management actions (for example, regulation of point sources of pollution) are already working to improve the bay. Other serious problems still need to be addressed if disasters noted in other U.S. bays are to be prevented. The bay's most serious problems, such as habitat losses and nonpoint source pollution, occur at the ecosystem level, and will require interdisciplinary solutions involving both natural resource agencies and stakeholders. This plan, which was recently approved by the EPA, was drafted by a partnership of state and federal agencies, local governments, stakeholders, interest groups, and the public. |