Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve
● The National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) System is a network of coastal reserves that operates as a collective partnership between the federal government and coastal states:
○ The program was created in 1972 through the Coastal Zone Management Act.
○ The non-regulatory program is administered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Coastal Management Program makes Texas eligible for a site.
○ The main goal is to identify and track short-term variability and long-term changes in the integrity of the Reserve’s ecosystems to contribute to effective management of the coastal zone.
○ The new Texas NERR is the 27th nationwide, and the first in the Western Gulf of Mexico Biogeographic Region.
● The University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute is the lead State Agency:
○ Major partner will be the Texas General Land Office, Coastal Management Program.
○ Partnerships with other State agencies, universities, and non-governmental organizations.
● Site designation process:
○ The site was selected through a broad stakeholder process. The proposed site is 185,000 acres of State submerged land in the Mission-Aransas Estuary, the Aransas and Matagorda National Wildlife Refuges, several small conservation areas, and the UTMSI campus.
- Public hearing was held June 11, 2003 in Rockport, Texas.
- Governor submitted site nomination in March 2004
- NOAA approved site nomination in September 2004.
○ Environmental impact statement and management plan
- Scoping meetings were held November 9-11, 2004.
- Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Management Plan (DPEIS/DMP) published October 7, 2005.
- Final Programmatic Environmental Impact statement and Final Management Plan (FPEIS/FMP) published March 17, 2006.
○ The site was designated an NERR on May 3, 2006 and a ceremony was held May 6.
● The three programs of the Texas NERR program will be synergistic with UTMSI missions:
○ Long-term monitoring/basic research.
○ Education/outreach.
○ Stewardship/technical assistance for resource management.
● The Texas site will participate in NERRS system-wide programs.
○ System-Wide Monitoring Program, Graduate Research Fellowships, and Coastal Training Program.
● The benefits of the program are:
○ Will bring many scientists and students from all over the US to study at the site.
○ Will promote visitations to the public outreach destinations.
○ Will provide opportunity to apply for funds for facilities and acquisitions.
○ Will provide opportunity to apply for funds that are currently restricted to NERRS sites.
○ Will provide two national fellowships, local fellowships, travel assistance to Texas scientists.
○ Will foster collaborations and partnerships to solve local problems.
● Management structure and governance:
○ Reserve Manager, Assistant Manager and three Coordinators (education, research, stewardship).
○ Reserve Advisory Board of land owners and Aransas County representative.
● Information about NERRS: http://nerrs.noaa.gov/
● Information about Texas NERR: http://www.utmsi.utexas.edu/nerr.htm
● Contact person: Sally Morehead, Assistant Manager, telephone (361-749-6771), facsimile (361-749-6777)
Updated: 25 July 2006