Condition of the Mid-Atlantic Estuaries

Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Estuary, and Delmarva coastal estuaries are vital Mid-Atlantic resources. They provide habitat for many kinds of animals and plants, including commercially valuable fish and shellfish, and are enjoyed each year by millions of recreational boaters, fishermen, and other visitors. This report breaks new ground in employing the latest scientific tools and by drawing upon carefully designed sampling plans that provide broad coverage of all of these estuaries. It also demonstrates the value of forging close scientific collaboration among federal and state agencies and other organizations. The purpose of this report is to help the reader understand more about the estuaries and encourage further efforts to protect these natural treasures.This report is contribution USEPA-NHEERL-NAR-1822 of the Atlantic Ecology Division of the EPA National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory.EPA 600-R-98-14