The purpose of the NERIT is to provide a coordinated partnership among federal, state and non- governmental agencies to improve the ecological productivity and biodiversity of the coastal estuarine habitats of America. These increases in the habitat carrying capacity will ultimately increase fisheries and improve the habitat available for threatened and endangered species. Protecting, preserving and restoring habitat at the landscape level assures regional priorities are established. Using existing federal programs to implement the restoration efforts assures they are scrutinized for a guarantee of success.

Numerous projects have been initiated, many completed. The operating premise is that if a partnership agency identifies a project that needs NERIT assistance, it is reviewed by all agencies and applicable programs are identified. This provides the New England constituency with a "one stop shopping" forum for federal programs.

The Coastal America partnership continues to connect important ecological programs with funding and technical support from the partnership agencies, making the delivery of federal services more efficient.

Implementation Team Chair

William Hubbard
Chief, Environmental Resources Branch
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
696 Virginia Road
Concord, MA 01742-2751
Phone: (978) 318-8552
Fax: (978) 318-8560

Northeast Regional Implementation Team Members