The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is dedicated to restoring our area's greatest and most important natural asset - Sarasota Bay.

Its unique program strives to improve water quality, increase habitat and enhance the natural resources of the area for the use and enjoyment by the public.

The health of Sarasota Bay has seen significant gains since it was named an estuary of national significance by the US Congress in 1989.  Water quality has improved substantially, including decreases in nitrogen pollution by approximately 50 percent, fewer impaired areas and 5,500 acres of new or improved seagrass beds. All main Bay segments currently meet State water quality standards.

Wastewater pollution has decreased by 85% since 1988 and is a direct result of the development of alternative sources such as reclaimed water in combination with the removal of decrepit sewage treatment facilities and the replacement of leaking septic tanks.  (2006 State of the Bay report)           

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) began in June 1989 when Sarasota Bay was designated an "estuary of national significance " by the U.S. Congress as part of the Water Quality Act of 1987.   SBEP is one of 28 National Estuary Programs (www.epa.gov/nep/) in the United States. The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is a member of the Association of National Estuary Programs (www.nationalestuaries.org/)

SBEP was initially tasked with characterizing the environmental conditions of Sarasota Bay and formulating a comprehensive restoration and protection plan based upon this analysis. The resulting plan was the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).

The CCMP recommends specific actions to be taken by local governments as well as state and federal agencies to restore and protect Sarasota Bay.  The CCMP was formally approved by the Governor of Florida and the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1995.