# § 1511c. Estuarine Programs Office
**(a)** **Establishment** The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Administrator”) shall establish within the Administration an Estuarine Programs Office.
**(b)** **Functions** The Estuarine Programs Office shall—
**(1)** develop and implement a national estuarine strategy for the Administration that integrates the research, regulatory, and trusteeship responsibilities of the Administration;
**(2)** coordinate the estuarine activities of the various organizations within the Administration, including activities in estuarine research and assessment, fisheries research, coastal management, and habitat conservation;
**(3)** coordinate the estuarine activities of the Administration with the activities of other Federal and State agencies; and
**(4)** provide technical assistance to the Administrator, to other Federal agencies, and to State and local government agencies in—
**(A)** assessing the condition of estuaries;
**(B)** identifying estuaries of critical national or regional importance;
**(C)** identifying technical and management alternatives for the restoration and protection of estuarine resources; and
**(D)** monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of estuarine management plans.
**(c)** **Authorization** There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administration not to exceed $500,000 for fiscal year 1987, $530,000 for fiscal year 1988, $560,000 for fiscal year 1989, and $600,000 for fiscal year 1990 to carry out the provisions of this section.
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 99–659, title IV, § 406, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3738.)