This National Water Program Guidance (Guidance) for fiscal year (FY) 2012 describes how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states, territories, and tribal governments will work together to protect and improve the quality of the nations waters, including wetlands, and ensure safe drinking water. Within EPA, the Office of Water oversees the delivery of the national water programs, while the regional offices work with states, tribes, territories, and others to implement these programs and other supporting efforts. The Guidance describes the key actions needed to accomplish the public health and environmental goals in the EPA FY 2011-2015 Strategic Plan, published on September 30, 2010. These goals are: (1) Protect human health by improving the quality of drinking water, making fish and shellfish safer to eat, and assuring that recreational waters are safe for swimming; (2) Protect and restore the quality of the nations fresh waters, coastal waters, and wetlands; and (3) Protect and restore the health of large aquatic ecosystems across the country.