33 U.S.C. § 2802 — Definitions

For this chapter: (1) “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. (2) “Coastal ecosystem” means a system of biological, chemical, and physical parts that interact throughout the water column, water surface, and “benthic environment” of coastal waters. This section does not define the term “benthic environment.” (3) “Coastal water quality” means the physical, chemical, and biological measurements that relate to the health and integrity of coastal ecosystems. (4) “Coastal water quality monitoring” means an ongoing program that measures, analyzes, and combines information to identify and measure coastal water-quality conditions and trends. The program provides a technical basis for making decisions. (5) “Coastal waters” means the waters of the Great Lakes, including their connecting waters. It also means those parts of rivers, streams, and other bodies of water that have an unimpaired connection with the open sea, up to the head of tidal influence. It includes wetlands, intertidal areas, bays, harbors, and lagoons. It also includes the waters of the territorial sea of the United States and the contiguous zone. This section does not define the terms “connecting waters,” “unimpaired connection,” “open sea,” “head of tidal influence,” “wetlands,” “intertidal areas,” “territorial sea,” or “contiguous zone.” (6) “Under Secretary” means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.