Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is one of 28 National Estuary Programs (NEP) in the United States. SBEP began in June 1989 when Sarasota Bay was designated by the U.S. Congress as an "estuary of national significance " in the Water Quality Act of 1987.
SBEP was initially tasked with characterizing the environmental conditions of Sarasota Bay and formulating a comprehensive restoration and protection plan based upon this analysis. This plan, called the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), was formally approved by the Governor of Florida and Administrator of the U.S. EPA in 1995. The CCMP recommends specific actions be taken by local governments, state and federal agencies to restore and protect Sarasota Bay.
The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is a member of the Association of National Estuary Programs (ANEP).
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Policy Board
Deborah Getzoff, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Wesley "Bo" Crumm, U.S. EPA Region 4
Carol Whitmore, Commissioner, Manatee County
Jon Thaxton, Commissioner, Sarasota County
Jack Bispham, Southwest Florida Water Management District's Manasota Basin Board
Ken Shelin, Commissioner, City of Sarasota
Marianne Barnebey, Commissioner, City of Bradenton Randall Clair, Commissioner, Town of Longboat Key
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Management Board
Charles Kovach, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Bryan Pridgeon, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Robert Bartolotta, City of Sarasota
Felicia Burks, U.S. EPA, Region IV
Eric Gasch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Lizanne Garcia, Southwest Florida Water Management District
George Henderson, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Charlie Hunsicker, Manatee County
Jack Merriam, Sarasota County Environmental Services
Seth Kohn, City of Bradenton
Juan Florensa, Town of Longboat Key Public Works
John Stevely, Florida Sea Grant; Chair, Technical Advisory Committee
Kathleen King, Chair, Citizens Advisory Committee |
