National Estuary Program

The National Estuary Program (NEP) is a US Environmental Protection Agency place-based program established by Congress in 1987 to protect and restore the water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries of national significance. Currently, 28 estuaries located along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts and in Puerto Rico are designated as estuaries of national significance, including the San Francisco Estuary.

NEPs are non-regulatory and locally driven. They are results-oriented and have proven successful at promoting efficient partnerships.

More information on the National Estuary Program can be found on the EPA website.

NEP National Map

The Association of National Estuary Programs

The Association of National Estuary Programs (ANEP), a 501(c)3, works with NEPs to educate key stakeholders, including elected officials, about the value and importance of clean water and healthy estuaries to coastal communities and their economies. ANEP works nationally to promote and improve the effectiveness of NEPs. Learn more about ANEP.