The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is a partnership of citizens, elected officials, resource managers, and commercial and recreational resource users working to improve the water quality and ecological integrity of the greater Charlotte Harbor watershed. A cooperative decision-making process is used within the Program to address diverse resource management concerns in the 4,700 square mile study area.

• Improve the environmental integrity of the Charlotte Harbor study area.

• Preserve, restore, and enhance seagrass beds, coastal wetlands, barrier beaches, and functionally related uplands.

• Reduce point and non-point sources of pollution to attain desired uses of the estuary.

• Provide the proper fresh water inflow to the estuary to ensure a balanced and productive ecosystem.

• Develop and implement a strategy for public participation and education.

• Develop an accessible information management system that integrates data on the Charlotte Harbor study area pertinent to harbor and watershed management.

• Hydrologic Alterations

• Water Quality Degradation/Nutrient Enrichment

• Fish and Wildlife Habitat Loss

• Peace River & Watershed

• Myakka River & Watershed

• Coastal Venice, Lemon Bay, Gasparilla Sound & Cape Haze

• Charlotte Harbor Proper

• Pine Island Sound & Matlacha Pass

• Estero Bay & Watershed

• Tidal Caloosahatchee River & Watershed