The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA; , , Chapter 33) is an Act of Congress passed in 1972 to encourage coastal states to develop and implement coastal zone management plans (CZMPs). This act was established as a United States National policy to preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, restore or enhance, the resources of the Nation's coastal zone for this and succeeding generations.

Importantly, Alaska withdrew from participation in the National Coastal Management Program in 2011. Also, while the Deepwater Port Act requires a state to have, or be making progress toward a federally approved coastal management program in order to issue a license for a facility in adjacent federal waters, it does not apply to offshore oil and gas extraction.

History

The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972 showed that the United States Congress "recognized the importance of meeting the challenge of continued growth in the coastal zone". Under this act two national programs were created, the National Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP) and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Out of 35 eligible states, only 34 have established management programs; Washington State was the first state to adopt the program in 1976.

The Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP), also called the National Coastal Zone Management Program, was established under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and is administered by NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management (OCM). This program is designed to set up a basis for protecting, restoring, and establishing a responsibility in preserving and developing the nation’s coastal communities and resources, where they are under the highest pressure. The vision of the CZMP is to ensure that “the nation’s coast and oceans, including the Great Lakes and island territories, are healthy and thriving for this and future generation”. Their mission is “to ensure the conservation and responsible use of our nation’s coastal and ocean resources”.

The CZMA has been amended by the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990.

Components

Title 16 Chapter 33 – Coastal Zone Management Act

  • 16 U.S.C. § 1451. Congressional findings

Congress found a national interest for the management protection and use of coastal zones. Coastal zones are valuable to the nation's current and future prosperity for their "natural, commercial, recreational, ecological, industrial, and esthetic resources." Many stresses are on the lands of coastal zone, from natural, residential, and industry and there is need to preserve and protect these areas. Some of the ecosystems are threatened by man, if lands aren’t preserved and protected all beneficial use can be lost forever. “In light of competing demands and the urgent need to protect and to give high priority to natural systems in the coastal zone…” Also, due to potential for global warming these areas need to be prepared for any alterations in water levels.

  • 16 U.S.C. § 1452. Congressional declaration of policy

Congress declares in its national policy “to preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, to restore or enhance, the resources of the Nation's coastal zone for this and succeeding generations.” This is encouraged through the various states and coastal regions that want to actively participate in local, Federal, and State programs. These programs need to be aware of changes affecting the coastal areas and know how to act in response.

  • 16 U.S.C. § 1453. Definitions

A “coastal zone" is defined as the “coastal waters and the adjacent shorelands, as well as includes islands, transitional and intertidal areas, salt marshes, wetlands, and beaches.”

Coastal Zone Management Program

The four types of funding relevant to the Coastal Zone Management Programs are:

1. Administrative Grants

OCM provides matching funds to states for CZMP (1:1).

2. Coastal Resource Improvement Program States may spend half of their Section 306 funds on small-scale construction or land acquisition projects, this is geared to improve “public access to the coast, facilitate redevelopment of urban waterfronts, or preserve and restore coastal resources.”

Current participants are

  1. Alabama (1979)
  2. American Samoa (1980)
  3. California (1978)
  4. Connecticut (1980)
  5. Delaware (1979)
  6. Florida (1981)
  7. Georgia (1998)
  8. Guam (1979)
  9. Hawaii (1978)
  10. Illinois (2012)
  11. Indiana (2002)
  12. Louisiana (1980)
  13. Maine (1978)
  14. Maryland (1978)
  15. Massachusetts(1979)
  16. Michigan (1978)
  17. Minnesota (1999)
  18. Mississippi (1980)
  19. New Hampshire (1982)
  20. New Jersey (1978)
  21. New York (1982)
  22. North Carolina (1978)
  23. Northern Mariana Islands (1980)
  24. Ohio (1997)
  25. Oregon (1977)
  26. Pennsylvania (1980)
  27. Puerto Rico (1978)
  28. Rhode Island (1978)
  29. South Carolina (1979)
  30. Texas (1996)
  31. Virgin Islands (1979)
  32. Virginia (1986)
  33. Washington (1976)
  34. Wisconsin (1978)

See also

  • Coastal States Organization
  • Coastal Zone Management Program
  • Integrated coastal zone management
  • Monarch butterfly conservation in California
  • National Estuarine Research Reserve
  • List of National Estuarine Research Reserves

References

  • Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA): Overview and Issues for Congress Congressional Research Service
  • Fish and Wildlife Service site on the Coastal Zone Management Act
  • NOAA Site on the Coastal Zone Management Act