MARYLAND - The Maryland Coastal Bays Program is celebrating three decades of work to protect and restore the waters behind Ocean City and Assateague Island.
The program focuses on Assawoman Bay, the St. Martin River, Isle of Wight Bay, Newport Bay, Sinepuxent Bay and Chincoteague Bay. Leaders say the mission has always been the same: use science, restoration and community partnerships to keep the bays healthy.
Over the years, the organization has expanded water quality monitoring, built living shorelines, protected seagrass beds, and created education programs for residents and visitors, says MCBP. Those efforts, officials say, have helped wildlife, supported tourism and fishing, and preserved the natural character of the region.
Board Chair Steve Taylor says the program began when local citizens noticed the bays were struggling under the pressure of development and rising tourism. Algae blooms were increasing. Habitats were shrinking. Watermen worried about the future.
As the program marks its 30th year, leaders are now focusing on climate change, sea levels and continued coastal growth.