The Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) is a research institute focusing on the coastal ecosystems of southern California, from watersheds to the ocean. SCCWRP was formed in 1969 as a joint powers agency. The common mission of our member agencies is to contribute to the scientific understanding of linkages among human activities, natural events, and the health of the Southern California coastal environment; communicate this understanding to decision makers and other stakeholders; and recommend strategies for protecting the coastal environment for this and future generations. A joint powers agency is one that is formed when several government agencies have
a common mission that can be better addressed by pooling resources and knowledge.