"Sustainable Coastal Ecosystems" is one of three broad themes for Maryland's Coastal Program. Coastal ecosystems are diverse and productive, and subjected to ever increasing pressures. Sustaining coastal ecosystems requires coordinated multi-disciplinary efforts involving all levels of government, the private sector and the public. Through commitments in the Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement and the Coastal Bays Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, Maryland CP is addressing coastal ecosystem issues in a comprehensive manner.

In addition the formal commitments to the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays, the Maryland has a Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program. The Nonpoint Pollution Control Program establishes management measures to control polluted runoff, focuses on pollution prevention, encourages local participation and establishes shared responsibility for managing coastal water quality problems between coastal management and water quality agencies.

The following are goals of the Coastal Program with a few examples of actions Maryland has taken to achieve these goals.

Goal: Sustain and Improve Coastal Water Quality

• Provide technical assistance to farmers for the installation of best management practices and development of soil conservation and water quality plans.
• Assist marine facilities to keep waterways free of harmful chemicals, nutrients and debris
• Determine the influx of sediments and nutrients into the northern coastal bays due to erosion
• Provide enforcement of Critical Area Programs through site inspections and issuing citations
• Review development projects in critical areas to ensure compliance with programs and legislation
• Partner with local governments to target restoration and protection projects within specific watersheds
• Improve coordination of monitoring and restoration activities

Goal: Protect, Restore, and Enhance Coastal Land and Water Habitats

• Provide technical and logistical support to citizen-based SAV restoration efforts
• Lead an effort to map and protect sensitive aquatic resources in the coastal bays
• Update information on threatened and endangered species habitats and provide technical assistance to local governments
• Characterize the ecological status & environmental stressors of streams
• Update the digital tidal and nontidal wetlands maps
• Provide assistance to local and state government agencies and citizens on growth management and sensitive area protection
• Work with businesses to incorporate Green Building concepts and materials