Sarasota Bay Estuary Program

Description:this Action Provides Funding in the Amount of $850,000 to Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. the Agreement Provides Funding to Coastal and Heartland for National Estuary Program (NEP) to Support Implementation of the Nep Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). the Project Will Monitor the Waters That Meet Their Designated Human Uses for Drinking, Shellfish Harvesting, or Swimming and Fishing, While Supporting Appropriate, Healthy Aquatic Life as Well as Water Quality Improvement. Meet or Exceed Water Quality Standards for Designated Uses of Natural Waterbodies and Waterways With No Degradation of Outstanding Florida Waters. Support Comprehensive and Coordinated Water Quality Monitoring Programs and Projects and Programs That Reduce Pollutants Entering Waterways. Activities:the Projects Included Will Support Activities That Address the Key Challenges Facing the Estuary Including Assessing Trends in Water Quality, Habitats, Natural Resources and Uses; Coordinating Implementation of the CCMP by the Nep, Along With the State, Federal, Local Agencies, Stakeholders, Ngos, Citizens, Partners, and Others; and Monitoring the Effectiveness of Activities Conducted Under the Management Conference Approved CCMP and Annual Workplan. Work to Be Accomplished Will Be Update the Ecosystem Health Report Card. Refine a Pollutant Load Reduction Goal for Sarasota Bay, Through the Reasonable Assurance Plan Process. Continue Ongoing Efforts Through the Eyes on Seagrass Monitoring Program. Monitor Fish Populations, via the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Construct the Habitat Restoration Projects. Continue Ongoing Artificial Reef Restoration Projects. Develop Concept Plans and Obtain Permits for Various Other Habitat Restoration Projects. Protect, Restore, and Enhance the Diversity and Abundance of Native Fish and Shellfish. Monitor and Protect Threatened, Endangered, and Vulnerable Wildlife. Reduce Recreational Use Impacts on Sarasota Bay, Improve Public Understanding and Action on Bay-related Issues to Local Nep Communities. Coordinate and Support Community Initiatives That Advance CCMP Implementation.subrecipient:subawards Will Be Made for Project Support Bay Research, Water Quality Projects and Habitat Restoration Projects. Outcomes:the Anticipated Deliverables Include Semi-annual and Annual Reports and Well as Using Social Media to Increase Awareness of Findings of Carious Technical Reports and Summaries of Public Education and Outreach Activities. the Expected Outcomes Include Bay Partners Grants Involved in Outreach and Education, Projects That Improve the Performance of Stormwater Treatment Systems, Removal of Exotic Invasive Species, and the Removal Debris From Intertidal and Submerged Resources. the Intended Beneficiaries Include...citizens, Local Communities, Etc. in the State/territory of Florida and This Estuary Directly Benefit From This Project. Local Wildlife That Is Threatened, Endangered and Vulnerable Will Benefit Through a Monitoring Program Provided by Sarasota Bay Nep Funding. the Residence of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Will Further Benefit Through Increased Water Quality Which Had Previously Been in a Diminished Level of Quality.