Publications

The Recovery Potential Screening Tool-Screening for Land-Based Sources of Pollution that Stress Coral Reefs

The document illustrates how the Recovery Potential Screening (RPS) Tool (https://www.epa.gov/rps) can be set up to evaluate and compare watersheds for sediment and nutrient runoff into coral reef ecosystems. This document helps set up the tool, select appropriate indicators for evaluating where conditions promote the likelihood of sediment and nutrient runoff, and interpret the outputs for purposes of prioritizing management activities.

EPA Resource Guide for Managers of Coastal Watersheds with Coral Reefs

This guide provides a general overview of the most relevant EPA programs and tools that can help watershed managers address land-based sources of pollution that impact coral reefs. The guide is intended primarily for watershed managers that participate in the USCRTF but can serve as a resource for others. It is broken into three categories: Financial Resources, Technical Resources, and Tools.

Handbook on Coral Reef Impacts: Avoidance, Minimization, Compensatory Mitigation, and Restoration

This handbook provides a general summary of current avoidance, minimization, compensatory mitigation, and restoration strategies that may help address physical damage resulting from:

direct adverse impacts to coral reefs (e.g., dredging, placement of fill, vessel groundings, or accidental discharges like oil spills), and
indirect adverse impacts to coral reefs (e.g., beach nourishment, sedimentation from poor land use practices, sedimentation from dredging or vessel movement, or storm water contaminants).