6.4 Federal Conservation Partners
6.4.7 US Geological Survey (USGS) As the sole science agency for DOI, USGS provides natural science expertise and shares earth and biological data holdings with partners and customers. It is the largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency and is responsible for collecting, monitoring, analyzing, and providing scientifc understanding about natural resource con- ditions, issues, and problems. Te diversity of scientifc expertise enables USGS to carry out large-scale, multidisciplinary investigations, and provide impartial scientifc information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. Te mission of USGS is to:
• provide reliable scientifc information to describe and understand the Earth;
• minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters;
• manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and
• enhance and protect our quality of life.
Tis mission is accomplished through various types of programs, partnerships, and cooperative agreements with other agencies and organizations. Te USGS Water Science Center works cooperatively with other agencies and organizations to collect and inter- pret water-resource information in North Carolina. Te NC Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is jointly sponsored by USGS, NCWRC, NCSU, and the Wildlife Management Institute. Te Cooperative Unit focuses on the identifcation, assessment, interpretation, and alleviation of the efects of current or potential environmental changes or perturba- tions on fsh and wildlife resources. Key USGS programs and resources that support con- servation priorities described throughout this Plan are summarized in Appendix L (page 1237). 6.4.8 US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)—Wilmington District As the nation’s environmental engineer, USACE (or Corps) manages one of the largest federal environmental missions: restoring degraded ecosystems; constructing sustainable facilities; regulating waterways; managing natural resources; and cleaning contaminated sites afected by past military activities. Tere are two main federal laws that grant the Corps the authority to regulate the nation’s waterways: Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. Te Wilmington District is responsible for two deepwater ports and more than 300 miles of federal navigation projects along the Atlantic coast stretching from Norfolk, Virginia, to Little River, South Carolina; coastal storm damage reduction; water management and multi-purpose reservoirs; Section 404 and Section 10 regulatory permit programs for
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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