A cooperative agreement is provided to the corporation for the conservation of the SAN juan BAY estuary (CCSJBE) to support implementation of its comprehensive conservation and management plan…

A cooperative agreement is provided to the corporation for the conservation of the SAN juan BAY estuary (CCSJBE) to support implementation of its comprehensive conservation and management plan (CCMP) to improve the water quality, protect the natural habitat and living resources, and support sustainable human uses of the SAN juan BAY estuary (SJBE). During FY 2023, the estuario will implement the 5-year strategic plan roadmap for the 2026 CCMP, which will lay out the actions and timelines for the rest of the revision process. To ensure the new CCMP truly represents the needs and interests of the public, a multi-year public participation effort will accompany the revision process. The final CCMP will take into account the recommendations of estuario's management conference and other committees and task forces. The estuario's five-year strategic plan, which goes into effect FY 2023, will also identify additional goals and guide priority actions and activities to achieve the following goals:(1) environmental justice, (2) reduce nutrient pollution, (3) marine litter reduction, and (4) green infrastructure and resiliency. Activities:this upcoming fiscal year, the sjbep will continue monitoring efforts on water bodies that are more impacted and will be developing a proposal for the investigation of the sources of pollution and nutrient dynamics in the SAN joseacute; lagoon, a body of water that has historically shown poor water quality conditions related to excess nutrient inputs and lack of circulation. In addition, estuario aims to expand the water community network as the foundation for an autonomous water quality monitoring program that allows the citizen to directly participate in the restoration of the estuary's waters. The estuario's solid waste program and oil recycling campaign will be expanded into other communities within the watershed. Will develop a develop an integrated management within the municipalities of the basin that will incorporate a recycling plan adapted for the new realities to reduce debris and stimulate economic activity in the estuario communities. The estuario will also be continuing the development of the green infrastructure master plan for stormwater management, focusing on identifying nature-based solutions to support infrastructure needs and vulnerabilities identified in the watershed-based multijurisdictional hazard mitigation plan. The plan will primarily focus on stormwater infrastructure improvements to tackle the risks from massive defoliation after hurricanes and an aging gray infrastructure system. The sjbep will conduct an economic valuation study that will calculate the economic value of the SAN juan BAY to inform story building narratives and further support SJBE watershed restoration and protection efforts. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:expected outcomes are to empower communities with capacity building and training in key areas that will increase resilience and preparedness for natural disasters, and implementation of community-based ecosystem restoration and mitigation efforts. Provide workforce development to educators and environmental interpreters in topics related to the estuary and our ecosystems that will also serve as opportunities that will count towards credits for the citizen science certification program. Increase awareness of the SAN juan BAY estuary system and its particular interest areas. Increase community engagement to familiarize themselves with alternatives within their communities. Communicate estuario's efforts on a monthly basis; serve as subject expert in areas of revitalization, restoration, and water conservation; publicize the efforts and activities proposed in the management plan. Reduce the amount of the solid waste and increase the recollection of the materials with potential to be recycled. Provide support as needed for the development of a green infrastructure maste