The Internet is a great resource to obtain more information on our coasts and oceans. On this page, two groups of web links have been compiled: California government sites and federal sites. For more resources, search the Marine, Coastal and Watershed Resource Directory, where you will find an abundance of organizations.

California Government

San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission - BCDC is the California coastal management agency responsible for the San Francisco Bay-Delta portion of the coastal zone.

California Coastal Conservancy - works to preserve, improve, and restore public access and natural resources along the California coast and on San Francisco Bay.

California Department of Boating and Waterways - "protect[s] significant natural resources through its programs to provide for public access to the waterways, and promot[es] recreational boating safety. These programs include funding and designing the construction and improvement of boating facilities, beach erosion control, aquatic weed control, boating safety education, and supporting and training local boating law enforcement officers."

California Department of Fish and Game - DFG’s website contains information on California’s native and non-native plants and animals, a wildlife photo gallery, hunting and fishing regulations, and more.

California Environmental Education Interagency Network - CEEIN is a consortium of environmental educators representing California agencies with oversight responsibilities to protect California’s environment.

California Harbor Master - Contains links to government, Coast Guard, and weather information.

California State Lands Commission - Manages and protects the important natural and cultural resources on public lands within the state and the public's rights to access to such lands.

CERES - California Environmental Resources Evaluation System - “CERES is an information system developed by the California Resources Agency to facilitate access to a variety of electronic data describing California's rich and diverse environments.”

State of California Department of Water Resources - Provides information on snow and water conditions within the state including flood information.

EPA/ EPA Region 9 - This web site includes EPA information for the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the territories of Guam and American Samoa.

EPA’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans, Watersheds - “promotes a watershed approach to manage, protect, and restore the water resources and aquatic ecosystems of our marine and fresh waters. This strategy is based on the premise that water quality and ecosystem problems are best solved at the watershed level and that local citizens play an integral role in achieving clean water goals. Through its many programs, OWOW provides technical and financial assistance and develops regulations and guidance to support the watershed approach.”

EPA’s Surf your Watershed - “A service to help you locate, use and share environmental information about your place”

EPA’s Watershed information Network - This site is full of helpful watershed information including working in your watershed, watershed-related assistance and services, and water laws and regulations.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) -The NMFS administers NOAA's programs which support the domestic and international conservation and management of living marine resources.

National Marine Sanctuaries - “This web site provide[s] the public with up-to-date, reliable, and official information on the management of the Nation's Marine Sanctuaries, and the scientific, educational, and resource protection activities that are being carried on for their protection and preservation.”

National Coastal Zone Management program - A voluntary partnership between the coastal states and the Federal government, which balances coastal resource management with the promotion of sustainable coastal economic development.

NOAA - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration promotes global environmental stewardship in order to conserve and wisely manage the Nation's marine and coastal resources.

NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management - Combines the expertise of managers and planners, scientists, and environmental advocates to balance preservation of valuable ocean and coastal resources with the need for compatible economic development of the coastal zone.

Sea Grant Program - Encourages the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach and technology transfer.

National Estuary Program - The NEP works to identify, restore, and protect nationally significant estuaries of the United States.