U.S.EPA ; Atlantic Ecology Division 27 Tarzwell Drive Narragansett, RI 02882

The Mission (Purpose) of the Atlantic Ecology Division (AED) at Narragansett is to perform research to understand better, and quantify the ecological effects of, stressors on the coastal watersheds of the Atlantic Seaboard. The Atlantic Ecology Division will also provide the highest quality scientific knowledge and tools to serve as the basis for making sound environmental decisions relating to the Atlantic Coast and its watersheds.

The AED's buildings provide approximatley 68,600 sq. ft. for research and research support activities. Within this building complex, there are Wet Laboratory Facilities; Chemistry, Biology, Histopathology, and Geology Laboratories, Flow-Through Microcosm Facilities; a High Hazard Research Laboratory; Field Support Facilities [including a thirteen (13)-vessel Research Fleet); Vessel Storage Building; Information Management Center and Computer Equipment; Waste Abatement Facility; Maintenance Area; Conference Rooms; Research Library; Dark Room; and a Hazardous Materials Storage Building.

Reflecting our mission and strategic principles, AED's programmatic goals are: (1) To develop and evaluate theory, methods, and data to identify, understand, and help to solve current and future environmental problems in U.S. Atlantic coastal environments and their watersheds; (2) To provide scientific leadership in identifying, evaluating, and solving environmental problems facing the U.S. Atlantic coastal environments and their watersheds; and (3) To interpret and integrate scientific information to help organizations at all levels make better decisions about improving U.S. Atlantic coastal environments and their watersheds. The Atlantic Ecology Division belongs to EPA's National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL); and its organizational structure is designed to support full attainment of our mission and programmatic goals. Within the AED, there are the Offices of the Director, Associate Director for Program Operations, Associate Director for Research, and the following three (3) Branches: 1) Indicator Development Branch; 2) Ecosystem Analysis & Simulation Branch; and 3) Ecological Response Branch.

The Atlantic Ecology Division is located approximately 30 miles south of Providence, Rhode Island, on an 11-acre site overlooking the West Passage of Narragansett Bay. The surrounding area is predominantly rural or residential in character, with services provided at village-sized commerical centers. Adjacent to AED is the 165-acre Bay Campus housing the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography, the Coastal Institute, the Marine Resources Center, the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center; and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service's Narragansett Laboratory. The main campus of the University of Rhode Island is 7 miles west of the site. (bdm: 5/18/2000)