Our Plans
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan
Latest Update: 2022
Each of the 28 National Estuary Programs is charged with developing and implementing CCMP, which establishes priorities for activities, research, and management of the estuary. The CCMP serves as a blueprint to guide future decisions and actions and addresses a wide range of environmental protection issues and opportunities, including water quality, habitat, wildlife, and public access to Bay resources. The CCMP is based on a scientific characterization of the estuary and is developed and approved by a diverse coalition of community stakeholders. Over 100 scientists, engineers, resource managers, resource users, volunteers, community members, and elected officials contributed knowledge, insights, and opinions during the planning process. Local, state, and federal governmental and regulatory partners have formally committed to implementing CCMP goals through the adoption of an Interlocal Agreement, enacted in 2004. The 2022 CCMP centers around four Action Plans:
- Water Quality & Quantity Action Plan – Improve water quality and the timing, quantity, and distribution of freshwater flow to the estuary.
- Watershed Action Plan – Restore shoreline, wetland, and bay habitats and eliminate future losses.
- Wildlife Action Plan – Protect, restore, and enhance fish and wildlife populations in SBEP bays and watersheds.
- Community Engagement Action Plan – Engage, educate, and encourage environmental stewardship of Sarasota Bay and increase community connections to the estuary through low impact recreational use and enjoyment.
Water Quality Protection Plan
Latest Update: 2025
In 2023, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) determined that Sarasota Bay's open waters now meet water quality standards, eliminating the need for a Reasonable Assurance Plan (RAP) for nutrient impairments. However, the SBEP Policy Board chose to remain proactive and develop a Water Quality Protection Plan (WQPP), which includes similar elements to the RAP but does not have regulatory enforcement. Local governments will still need to adhere to regulations in their Watershed Management Plans and/or NPDES permits.
The WQPP will track projects by local governments to prevent pollutant load increases over the next 30 years. The plan was developed and reviewed by the Water Quality Consortium (WQC), which includes representatives from several local and state agencies. Meeting materials are listed below.
- Tuesday, August 12 | Water Quality Consortium Meeting - Presentation of Final Draft
- Wednesday, April 3, 2024 | Water Quality Consortium Meeting
- Monday, November 14, 2022 | SBEP Reasonable Assurance Plan Introductory Meeting
Additional WQPP Resources:
Habitat Restoration Plan
Latest Update: 2025
Since its inception in 1989, SBEP has participated in more than 200 projects related to habitat restoration or water quality improvement within the watershed. SBEP serves as a project manager, bringing together the partners, funding, and contractors with expertise in planning, permitting and construction. SBEP also develops a long-range habitat restoration plan every five years to be used as a guide and planning tool by the SBEP and its partners to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration projects throughout Sarasota Bay and its watershed.
In 2020, SBEP began to utilize funding from the Bipartisian Infrastructure Law, now known as the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA), to facilitate large habitat restoration and public waterway access projects. Projects identified in the 2015-2020 Habitat Restoration Plan that were not completed during that cycle were considered for IIJA funding for the fiscal years 2020-2026. SBEP recently completed three priority projects with several more underway. Below is a one-page summary of planned and completed IIJA projects. More information can be obtained by contacting info@sarasotabay.org
Communications Plan
Latest Update: 2025
Our Communications Plan will help guide SBEP’s public engagement, communication, and education initiatives through five guiding principles, including science-based solutions, measurable results, innovative partnerships, strategic positioning, and targeted and tailored reach. This plan integrates internal evaluation of current programs as well as feedback from SBEP staff, partners, Management Conference, volunteers, grantees, and program participants via a 2025 Stakeholder Survey and informal interviews
Ecosystem Monitoring Plan
Latest Update: 2025
Our Monitoring Plan is focused on maintaining the data collection efforts that have been successful at helping to facilitate nutrient management strategies that have resulted in the de-listing of Sarasota Bay for nutrient impairments (in 2023), as well as allowing for the recent 19 percent increase in seagrass coverage between 2022 and 2024.
Finance Plan
Latest Update: 2025
Our Finance Plan is an update to the long-range financial plan for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP). The plan is intended to outline SBEP’s current finances and explore opportunities for new revenue sources for implementing the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) revised in 2022.