Project Grant 98320917

DESCRIPTION:THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO MARYLAND COASTAL BAYS PROGRAM UNDER THE NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM (NEP) TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEP COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN (CCMP) AND EPA STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL 5: ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES AND OBJECTIVE 5.2: - PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERBODIES AND WATERSHEDS TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY, PROTECT THE NATURAL HABITAT AND LIVING RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE HUMAN USES IN THE ESTUARY. SECTION 320 OF THE CWA AUTHORIZES THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE EPA TO CONVENE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES TO DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR ESTUARIES OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE THAT ARE THREATENED BY POLLUTION, DEVELOPMENT, OR OVERUSE. 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. SOME SPECIFIC WORK AND ACTIONS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THIS AWARD INCLUDE CONTINUATION OF ONGOING PROJECTS TO RESTORE IMPORTANT COASTAL AND INLAND HABITATS AND SPECIES OF SIGNIFICANCE; DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW CCMP; PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF A PROGRAMMATIC EVALUATION; CONDUCTING PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMING, COMMUNITY OUTREACH CAMPAIGNS; MONITORING STREAMS AND COASTAL BAYS FOR CONTINUOUS EFFORTS; AND DEVELOPING TECHNICAL AND PUBLIC REPORTS.SUBRECIPIENT:SUPPORTING THE WORK OF THE CHESAPEAKE CONSERVATION CORPS IN IMPLEMENTING THE MCBP CCMP; SUPPORTING THE WORK OF UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT OF ANNUAL REPORT CARD AND ECO-HEALTH REPORTING RESOURCES AND ACCESS. OUTCOMES:DELIVERABLES INCLUDE THE MCBP ANNUAL REPORT CARD ON WATERSHED QUALITY AND HEALTH AND THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - EASTERN SHORE (UMES) THROUGH THE LEAP MOU PROGRAM. MCBP ANTICIPATES HOSTING FOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS AND 12 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AND PUBLIC EDUCATION EVENTS. THEY ALSO ANTICIPATE APPLICATIONS FOR DESIGN/IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING FOR PRIORITIZED PROJECTS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF MCBP STAFF AS A DELIVERABLE. OUTCOMES FROM THIS AWARD INCLUDE IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND GROWTH IN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN THE WATERSHED, INCREASED COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE AROUND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, AND THE PRESERVATION/ENHANCEMENT OF WATER QUALITY, CRITICAL HABITAT AND COASTAL RESILIENCE RESOURCES. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THIS AWARD INCLUDE THE CITIZENS OF THE LOCAL WATERSHED, VISITORS TO THE EASTERN SHORE AND COASTAL BAYS, INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON THE COASTAL BAYS, STUDENTS AND FACULTY OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM AND OF UMES, AND THE LOCAL ECOSYSTEM AS A WHOLE.