The state of the bay: a report for the future

The following chapters explore the rich history of the Coastal Bend region, from before the first settlers through today. The natural characteristics of the bays and estuaries of the Coastal Bend region are described, including their physical structure, diverse habitats, and luxuriant plant and animal life. The extent of historic and current human impacts are summarized. Additionally, the economic, public health, and ecological issues as researched and defined by the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program (CBBEP) are presented. Most of the information presented in this State of the Bay is taken from technical reports prepared for the CBBEP and are available from the CBBEP office.