The National Estuary Program was established to promote comprehensive planning, conservation and management of nationally significant estuaries threatened by pollution, development and overuse, and to encourage the preparation of management plans for these areas. The Barnegat Bay estuarine system was accepted into this program in 1995. The mission of the Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program (BBNEP) is to restore, maintain, protect, and enhance the natural resources of the Barnegat Bay Estuary and its contributing watersheds (Ocean County) through the 21st century. The BBNEP has developed a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan that includes a characterization of the region, a statement of priority problems, environmental quality, goals and objectives, action plans, implementation strategy and financial plan, monitoring program plan and a summary of public involvement. In May 2002, the Plan was approved by the USEPA. The BBNEP also awards up to $30,000 annually for proposals which promote public participation and educational activities. The BBNEP is involved in a variety of community activities such as a partnership project which resulted in the designation of the Barnegat Bay as a "No Discharge Zone" for boat waste. Other activities include the annual Barnegat Bay Festival, an Environmental Education Roundtable to consolidate existing Barnegat Bay-specific curriculum, and a Science and Technical Advisory Committee dedicated to research and implementation actions to protect the bay. There is a full-time public outreach coordinator for the estuary on the BBNEP staff.

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