Glossary:N Words

National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research.

National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA)

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) helps federal agencies make decisions based on an understanding of environmental consequences and take actions that protect, restore, and enhance the environment.

National Estuarine Research Reserve System(NERR)

network of 28 protected areas established for long-term research, education and coastal stewardship authorized as part of the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Act of 1972, which called for the establishment of a network of estuaries that represent different biogeographical regions of the United States.

National Estuary Program(NEP)

An national EPA program to preserve 28 significant United States estuaries.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA)

NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep the public informed of the changing environment around them.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System(NPDES)

A national program under Section 402 of the Clean Water Act for regulation of discharges of pollutants from point sources to waters of the United States. Discharges are illegal unless authorized by an NPDES permit.

National Water Level Observation Network(NWLON)

The network of tide and water level stations operated by the National Ocean Service along the marine and Great Lakes coasts and islands of the United States. The NWLON is composed of the primary and secondary control tide stations of the National Ocean Service.

National Wildlife Refuge(NWR)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) System administers a network of United States lands and waters for the conservation, management and restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats.

navigable waters noun

Waters that are either tidally influenced or navigable in fact.

neap tide noun

Tides of decreased range or tidal currents of decreased speed occurring semimonthly as the result of the Moon being in quadrature. The neap range (Np) of the tide is the average range occurring at the time of neap tides and is most conveniently computed from the harmonic constants. It is smaller than the mean range where the type of tide is either semi diurnal or mixed and is of no practical significance where the type of tide is predominantly diurnal. The average height of the high waters of the neap tide is called neap high water or high water neaps (MHWN) and the average height of the corresponding low waters is called neap low water or low water neaps (MLWN).

no-take zones noun

aquatic or coastal areas in which all extractive activities (such as fishing) are prohibited.

non-point source noun

Diffuse runoff without a single point of origin that flows over the surface of the ground by stormwater and is then introduced to surface or ground water.

nursery ( nurs·er·y / ˈnərs(ə)rē ) noun

term used colloquially to refer to estuaries. Many fish species are dependent on estuaries for part of their lives.

nutrient ( nu·tri·ent / ˈn(y)o͞otrēənt ) noun

a substance required by organisms in order to grow and survive such as nitrogen and phosphorus.