Each year our country's coastal resources contribute nearly $100 billion to the national economy. Fisheries, tourism, recreation - all of these industries are absolutely dependent upon healthy, functioning coastal areas.

This price tag says nothing of the value of healthy habitats, untouched spaces, and enduring populations of fish, birds, and other wildlife. Add these values to the equation and the price tag on our coastal resources soars even higher.

Unfortunately, our coastal resources are under an increasing amount of stress from such things as development, loss of wetlands, nutrient over-enrichment, pollutants, and blockages of fish migration, to name just a few.

Through the Coastal Program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is making a coordinated, focused effort to protect and restore our nation's valuable coastal resources.