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= U.S. EPA =

= Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds =

= Ocean and Coastal Protection Division Coral Reef Protection: What Are Coral Reefs? [|http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/habitat/coral_index.cfm#important] = = Accessed March 1, 2012. = = = = The EPA is the environmental protection agency. Their administrator is currently Lisa P. Jackson. The EPA is working on multiple projects concerning the environment. = = This article tells you what a reef is, and what lives there. Then, it brings to mind why they’re so important and problems that exist. Finally, it tells you what they are doing to help the reefs thrive. = = The first topic is presented by showing the reader what we would be losing; such as, an immense amount of marine biodiversity. Next, the text states why it’s important to save the reefs anyways. Reefs and their related communities are receptive water quality testers. They are also important nursery zones. Under the next subtitle there is what problems exist. These include, herbicide and pesticides that runoff into the water. Then, it says that organizations have united to try and help save the reefs. = = = = “Reefs provide protection from erosion to coastlines and sand for beaches.” = = = = “These surfaces increase runoff rates and carry with those waters mixtures of dissolved substances to surface waters. The surface waters in any watershed eventually discharge into coastal or near-coastal waters. These waters can then impact coral communities associated with these discharge points.” = = = = “One example is where EPA has joined with NOAA and the state of Florida in the establishment of the [|**Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary**] (FKNMS). The Marine Sanctuary operates under a broad-based management plan intended to enhance the sustainability of the Florida Keys reefs. Other important efforts in coral reef conservation and management include the [|**U.S. Coral Reef Task Force**] and the International and the U.S. [|**Coral Reef Initiatives**].” = This commentary shows that there are hopes for reefs. Also, it explains in detail what a reefs is. Subsequently, there are the pressures placed upon this relevant life form.

Rose: The EPA claims there are toxics being induced into the reef oceans. You could investigate whether or not medical leftovers take that path.