The EPA has selected six estuaries to be case studies for local action to protect sensitive coastal ecosystems and economies from the potential effects of climate change. According to an agency release, this is the first step in the a new effort by the agency to build local ability to adapt to climate change.

“EPA’s Climate Ready Estuaries work will help coastal communities understand and adapt to climate change,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles. “Our aim is to build capacity for local decision makers and resource managers to help take pro-active, practical steps for bays at risk.”

The six pilots include New Hampshire Estuaries Project, Massachusetts Bays Estuary Program, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Albemarle-Pamlico Sounds National Estuary Program, Charlotte Harbor Estuary Program and San Francisco Estuary Project.

According to the EPA release, each estuary program will receive technical assistance to assess and reduce their vulnerability to climate change. The programs will apply analyses and tools to help them make decisions to protect their communities and build knowledge to help other communities adapt to a changing climate. Communities with plans approved by their local stakeholders will be designated as “Climate Ready Estuaries” by the agency EPA.

The agency said the effort will take the lessons learned from the pilots to provide information and leadership to other coastal communities around the nation. The EPA will use the 28 programs, Web-based resources and other means identified through the initial pilots to support local efforts in all of the nation’s coastal communities to effectively plan and adapt to climate change.