| definition |
- The Harbor Estuary Program (HEP) is a National Estuary Program authorized in
1987 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program is a multi-year
effort to develop and implement a plan to protect, conserve, and restore the
estuary. Participants in the program include representatives from local, state,
and federal environmental agencies, scientists, citizens, business interests,
environmentalists, and others.
The New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary was designated and "Estuary of National
Significance" in 1988 by the US Environmental Protection Agency, in response to
a request by the two state Governors. The HEP was convened as a partnership of
federal, state, and local governments; scientists; civic and environmental
advocates; the fishing community; business and labor leaders; and educators
(called the Management Conference).
The mission of the Conference was to develop a plan to protect and restore the
Estuary. In 1987, Congress also required the preparation of a restoration plan
for the New York Bight, the ocean area extending approximately 100 miles beyond
Harbor waters. Because the Harbor and Bight are inextricably linked within the
larger ecosystem, the two plans were joined.
Website: http://www.harborestuary.org/
[Summary provided by the Harbor Estuary Program.]
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