2010-02-152010-02-151994http://hdl.handle.net/1969.3/26626138 pgs.The Gulf of Mexico contains ecological and commercial resources matched by few other bodies of water. Yet its blue-green waters disguise the increasing environmental threats that endanger these resources. In recognition of the growing threats, Regions 4 and 6 of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which share jurisdiction over the five Gulf Coast States (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas), initiated the Gulf of Mexico Program in August 1988. The goal of the Gulf of Mexico Program is to protect, restore, and enhance the coastal and marine waters of the Gulf of Mexico and its coastal natural habitats, to sustain living resources, to protect human health and the food supply, and to ensure the recreational use of the Gulf shores, beaches, and waters - in ways consistent with the economic well being of the region ... The Freshwater Inflow Committee was charged with characterizing the problems associated with alterations to freshwater inflow into the Gulf and identifying appropriate ways to protect these resources ... . The culmination of Issue Committee efforts is this Freshwater Inflow Action Agenda which specifies an initial set of activities needed to protect the Gulf of Mexico from freshwater inflow concerns. This Action Agenda is the first generation of an evolving series of Action Agendas that will be developed to meet the future needs of the Gulf of Mexico.coastal zone managementecologygulf coastcoastal ecologyestuarine ecologyestuariesgulf of mexico programBook