The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protects human health and the environment upon which all life depends. The EPA supports the protection and restoration of the nation’s ocean and coastal resources, including coral reefs, by working to ensure that all waters meet standards necessary to sustain healthy biological communities and safeguard public health. The EPA’s efforts in ocean and coastal protection focus on reducing pollution from land-based and ocean-based sources, advancing water quality monitoring and assessment, and supporting habitat conservation and restoration. These activities are carried out using Clean Water Act authorities, including developing water quality standards, regulating discharges, and providing technical and programmatic support to states, territories, and local partners. Whenever possible, these actions are implemented through an integrated watershed approach that recognizes the connections among air, land, and water systems.