A biological condition gradient (BCG) model for coral reefs in the coastal waters of Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I. was completed several years ago. The model defines incremental, numeric thresholds for changes in biological condition along a gradient of anthropogenic stress and has applications within and beyond the Clean Water Act programs for protection and restoration of coral reef systems. The Caribbean Coral Reef Institute (CCRI) is now working with both Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I. Water Quality and Coral Reef Programs to incorporate the BCG as monitoring framework for condition assessments, reef restoration and protection, and to inform their Water Quality Standards. This presentation will provide an overview of model development and application and early thinking on how to build bridges with freshwater systems and land-based sources of pollution.