Department of the Interior
The mission of the Department of the Interior (DOI) protects and manages the Nation’s resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about these resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated Island Communities. Coral reefs are considered trust resources, and, as such, are subject to DOI policies. DOI bureaus responsible for coral reef ecosystems resources include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, and the Bureau of Ocean Management. These bureaus work cooperatively and with other agencies to conserve, protect, and enhance coral reef ecosystems for the continuing benefit of the American people.
National Park Service
The National Park Service (NPS) is a world leader in the parks and preservation community, an environmental advocate, and a pioneer in protecting America’s open spaces. NPS protects diverse natural, cultural, and recreational resources in the National Park System, including 40 units that contain marine and estuarine resources. Of these, a total of 10 National Park units conserve more than 276,000 acres of coral reefs, ranging from South Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the Hawaiian Islands and the Territories of Guam and American Samoa.
Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) mission is to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. FWS also protects and restores reefs and other species and habitats, enforces laws, and works with other countries to foster reef conservation worldwide. The mission of the FWS National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and, where appropriate, the restoration of fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
U.S. Geological Survey
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), established in 1879, is the United States principal natural science and information agency, conducting research, monitoring, and assessments to improve our understanding of the natural world, Americas lands, water, and biological resources. The USGS provides reliable, impartial information that is used by managers, planners, and citizens to understand, assess, and plan for changes in the environment. The USGS provides coral reef managers with information to better understand the geologic, hydrologic, oceanographic, and ecologic controls on the health and sustainability of coral reefs to help guide their effective management.
Office of Insular Affairs
The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) coordinates federal policy in the Territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. With most U.S. coral reefs located in these “insular” areas, OIA plays an important role in improving the management and protection of coral reefs. OIA also provides technical and financial assistance to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, which share financial, diplomatic, and military ties with the United States through a special relationship known as the Compact of Free Association. The Freely Associated States have some of the richest coral reef resources in the world and some of the oldest and most effective traditional management systems.