Activity Definitions for National Estuary Program

Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Reporting

These terms are used to help standardize the reporting of NEP habitat efforts.

Establishment

Activities commonly associated with the term creation.

Restoration

The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site with the goal of returning natural/historic functions.

Enhancement

The manipulation of characteristics of a site with a goal to heighten, intensify, or improve specific functions or to change the growth stage or composition of the vegetation present.  This term includes activities commonly associated with the terms enhancement, management, manipulation, and directed alteration.

Protection

Preservation of habitat by mechanisms such as land acquisition, conservation easements, deed restrictions, etc.

Re-establishment

The manipulation of characteristics of a site with the goal of returning natural/historic function to a former wetland. Re-establishment results in the rebuilding of a former wetland and in a gain in wetland acres.

Rehabilitation

The manipulation of characteristics of a site with the goal of repairing natural/historic functions of degraded wetland. Rehabilitation results in a gain in wetland function but does not result in a gain in wetland acres.

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