Message from the Director 

During the past two years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Office of 

Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) has made great strides with respect to improving the 

implementation of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). With new leadership, OCRM streamlined 

programs and processes and took on some new and ambitious challenges. 

The Coastal Zone Management Act has not been reauthorized since 1996. In that time, significant 

management topics have risen to the forefront, challenging our understanding of effective coastal zone 

management, including how to address the impacts of climate change and how to prepare coastal 

communities to be more resilient in the face of natural hazards. For example, hurricanes in the 2005 

season left an indelible mark on the Gulf Coast (and the nation), setting up recovery work that 

continues today. What can we do to plan more appropriately for future such impacts—coastal storms, 

mudslides, sea level rise and inundation? 

In an innovative effort to address these emerging issues and to improve capabilities via the CZMA, 

OCRM joined forces with the Coastal States Organization (CSO) to reach out to stakeholders across the 

nation and around the globe in 2006-2007. A discussion paper published in September 2006, outlined 

the current and future challenges of coastal management. This paper served as the basis for more indepth conversations with coastal zone managers and managers of national estuarine research reserves. 

Findings from these conversations revealed important pressures, priorities and emerging threats as 

perceived by state managers. 

Armed with this information, OCRM and CSO initiated a wide array of open dialogs with a variety of 

stakeholders including all levels of government, industry and private sector business, academia, nongovernment organizations, the public, Congress and our counterparts within NOAA. The results were 

published as “core principles” whereby we will draft new language for a reauthorized CZMA that will 

enable us to more effectively manage our Nation’s oceans and coasts. 

Another major initiative begun during this biennium is our look at the integration of ocean and coastal 

activities. During the Fiscal Year 2008 budget process, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 

asked NOAA to take a hard look at coastal management activities that could be integrated across four 

offices—OCRM, National Centers for Coastal and Ocean Science (NCCOS), Coastal Services Center (CSC) 

and Sea Grant. OCRM took the lead on this initiative, and within four months, completed a proposal 

outlining all the opportunities for improved collaboration among the four offices. While this formal 

proposal is under consideration by OMB, OCRM has begun working with the other three NOAA offices to 

undertake activities to move this process forward. 

Looking ahead, OCRM will continue improving the quality service we offer to coastal and estuarine 

managers and the public. The core principles we developed with CSO will provide a solid foundation 

for new legislation that will change the way we manage our coastal uses and resources. The principles 

touch on themes that transcend all the work we do from research to protection to education to 

sustainable resource use. New legislation, in combination with our increased collaborative activities 

within NOAA, will pave the way for effecting cleaner, healthier, more sustainable coasts for our nation. 

The future of coastal management is evolving and we in OCRM are proud to be leaders in shaping these 

changes. 

David M. Kennedy 

Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management 

October, 2007 
 

Table of Contents 

Preface ....................................................................................................................1 

Summary of Requirements under Coastal Zone Management Act, Section 316 ................................2 

National Perspectives ...................................................................................................4 

 National Strategies ............................................................................................6 

 Federal Consistency and Energy .............................................................................9 

 Summary of Regulations .................................................................................... 11 

 Summary of Legislation ..................................................................................... 11 

 Funding ........................................................................................................ 11 

Regional Perspectives ................................................................................................ 16 

 New England .................................................................................................. 16 

 Mid-Atlantic .................................................................................................. 21 

 Southeast and Caribbean.................................................................................... 25 

 Gulf of Mexico ................................................................................................ 29 

 Great Lakes ................................................................................................... 32 

 West Coast and Alaska....................................................................................... 35 

 Pacific Islands................................................................................................. 39 

Challenges and Looking Forward .................................................................................... 43 

 Envisioning the Future of Coastal Management ......................................................... 43 

 The Coastal Estuarine Land Conservation Program ..................................................... 44 

 The Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology Addressing ... 45 

Important Coastal and Estuarine Issues ............................................................................ 46 

 Where Do We Go from Here? ............................................................................... 46 

Figure 1. A map of all the states with Coastal Zone Management Programs along with all the 

designated National Estuarine Research Reserves..................................................................4 

Table 1. Status of Participation in National Coastal Zone Management Program and National Estuarine 

Research Reserve Program .............................................................................................5 

Table 2. FY 2006-2007 funding for coastal programs and estuarine research reserves .................... 13 

Table 3. Major Accomplishments of Programs and Reserves in the New England Region ................. 18 

Table 4. Major Accomplishments of Programs and Reserves in the Mid-Atlantic Region .................. 22 

Table 5. Major Accomplishments of Programs and Reserves in the Southeast and Caribbean Region... 26 

Table 6. Major Accomplishments of Programs and Reserves in the Gulf of Mexico Region ............... 30 

Table 7. Major Accomplishments of Programs and Reserves in the Great Lakes Region................... 33 

Table 8. Major Accomplishments of Programs and Reserves in the West Coast and Alaska Region...... 37 

Table 9. Major Accomplishments of Programs in the Pacific Islands Region................................. 41 

Appendix A: Federal Consistency ................................................................................... 47 

Appendix B: NOAA Coastal Program Integration Activities ..................................................... 48 

Appendix C: Codification of the Coastal Estuarine Land Conservation Program ............................ 49 

Appendix D: State Agency Program Leads......................................................................... 50 

 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Preface 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource 

Management (OCRM) provides national leadership, strategic direction, and assistance to state and 

territory coastal management programs, estuarine research reserves, and other U.S. and international 

partners to sustain healthy coastal and ocean ecosystems. Our work is mandated by the Coastal Zone 

Management Act, the Marine Protected Area Executive Order, and the Coral Reef Conservation Act. It 

is through the mandates of the Coastal Zone Management Act that we are submitting this biennial 

report to Congress. 

This document presents information in a way that differs from previous biennial reports. We chose to 

present the information geographically and via tables to allow quick reference to state- and regionspecific information. Where necessary, we appended detailed information or noted appropriate web 

links. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Summary of Requirements under the Coastal Zone Management Act, 

Section 316 

The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), passed in 1972, provides for management of our Nation’s 

coastal uses and resources, and balances economic development with environmental conservation. 

Section 316 of the Act requires that the Secretary of Commerce report to Congress on the 

administrative progress of the Act biennially. This report addresses how the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) addressed these requirements, and/or where more information can 

be found outside of this report. The following table contains the required information per Section 316. 

(a) Biennial reports 

The Secretary shall consult with the Congress on a regular basis concerning the administration of this 

chapter and shall prepare and submit to the President for transmittal to the Congress a report 

summarizing the administration of this chapter during each period of two consecutive fiscal years. 

Each report, which shall be transmitted to the Congress not later than April 1 of the year following 

the close of the biennial period to which it pertains, shall include, but not be restricted to: 

an identification of the state programs approved pursuant to this chapter during the preceding federal 

fiscal year and a description of those programs; 

a listing of the states participating in the provisions of this chapter and a description of the status of 

each state's programs and its accomplishments during the preceding federal fiscal year; 

an itemization of the allocation of funds to the various coastal states and a breakdown of the major 

projects and areas on which these funds were expended; 

an identification of any state programs which have been reviewed and disapproved, and a statement 

of the reasons for such action; 

a summary of evaluation findings prepared in accordance with subsection (a) of section 1458 of this 

title, and a description of any sanctions imposed under subsections (c) and (d) of section 1458 of this 

title; 

a listing of all activities and projects which, pursuant to the provisions of subsection (c) or subsection 

(d) of section 1456 of this title, are not consistent with an applicable approved state management 

program; 

a summary of the regulations issued by the Secretary or in effect during the preceding federal fiscal 

year; 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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a summary of a coordinated national strategy and program for the Nation's coastal zone including 

identification and discussion of federal, regional, state, and local responsibilities and functions 

therein; 

a summary of outstanding problems arising in the administration of this chapter in order of priority; 

a description of the economic, environmental, and social consequences of energy activity affecting 

the coastal zone and an evaluation of the effectiveness of financial assistance under section 1456a of 

this title in dealing with such consequences; 

a description and evaluation of applicable interstate and regional planning and coordination 

mechanisms developed by the coastal states; 

a summary and evaluation of the research, studies, and training conducted in support of coastal zone 

management; and 

such other information as may be appropriate. 

(b) Recommendations for legislation 

The report required by subsection (a) of this section shall contain such recommendations for 

additional legislation as the Secretary deems necessary to achieve the objectives of this chapter and 

enhance its effective operation.
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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National Perspective 

NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) works with all of our Nation’s 

coastal states and territories to manage and conserve our ocean and coastal uses and resources. 

Thirty-four out of 35 coastal states and territories have active NOAA-approved coastal zone 

management programs. The 35th state, Illinois, is currently developing its coastal program. 

During the past biennium, two states and one territory (Minnesota, New York and Guam) received full 

approval of their Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs and two states (New York and 

Washington) received full approval for their Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) 

plans. 

Twenty-one states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have at least one designated National 

Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). Two more states (Connecticut and Wisconsin) are each in the early 

stages of selecting a site for a new NERR. During the 2006-2007 biennium, we added one more NERR in 

Texas for a total of 27 reserves in the system. 

No programs or reserves have been disapproved during this biennium. The most recent evaluations of 

each program found them to be adhering to program requirements and no sanctions were imposed. 

See Table 1 to check the status of coastal programs and NERR(s) in your state or territory. 

Figure 1 A map of all the states with Coastal Zone Management Programs along with all the designated 

National Estuarine Research Reserves. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Table 1. Status of Participation in National Coastal Zone Management Program and National Estuarine 

Research Reserve Program 

State or 

Territory 

Received 

federal 

approval for 

Coastal 

Management 

Program 

Received full 

federal 

approval for 

Coastal 

Nonpoint 

Pollution 

Control 

Program 

Federally 

designated 

as National 

Estuarine 

Research 

Reserve 

Date of Most 

Recent Section 

312 Evaluation 

Findings and 

Sanctions 

per recent 

312 

Evaluation 

Alabama 1979 Conditional1 1986 CZM: DEC 03 

NERR: MAR 07 

Adhering/ 

None 

Alaska 1979 Conditional1 1999 CZM: Aug 07 

NERR: APR 06 

Adhering/ 

None 

American 

Samoa 1980 2003 N/A CZM: AUG 07 Adhering/ 

None 

California 1978 2000 1979, 1982, 

2003 

CZM: JUN 05 

NERRs: MAR 05, 

SEP 05, AUG 07 

Adhering/ 

None 

Connecticut 1980 2003 In 

Development CZM: SEP 06 Adhering/ 

None 

Delaware 1979 2002 1993 CZM: DEC 05 

NERR: DEC 05 

Adhering/ 

None 

Florida 1981 Conditional1 1978, 1979, 

1999 

CZM: SEP 07 

NERRs: MAY 06, 

JUN 05, JUL 07 

Adhering/ 

None 

Georgia 1998 Conditional1 1976 CZM: DEC 05 

NERR: DEC 04 

Adhering/ 

None 

Guam 1979 2007 N/A CZM: FEB 07 Adhering/ 

None 

Hawai’i 1978 Conditional1

Designated in 

1976, 

Dedesignated 

in 1996 

CZM: AUG 04 Adhering/ 

None 

Illinois In 

Development N/A N/A N/A Adhering/ None 

Indiana 2002 Conditional1 N/A CZM: MAY 06 Adhering/ 

None 

Louisiana 1980 Conditional1 N/A CZM: MAR 05 Adhering/ 

None 

Maine 1978 2003 1986 CZM: JUN 04 

NERR: JUN 04 

Adhering/ 

None 

Maryland 1978 1999 1985, 1990 CZM: SEP 07 

NERR: NOV 05 

Adhering/ 

None 

Massachusetts 1978 2001 1988 CZM: FEB 07 

NERR: MAY 07 

Adhering/ 

None 

Michigan 1978 Conditional1 N/A CZM: MAY 06 Adhering/ 

None 

Minnesota 1999 2007 N/A CZM: SEP 04 Adhering/ 

None 

Mississippi 1980 Conditional1 1999 CZM: DEC 04 

NERR: MAR 04 

Adhering/ 

None 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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State or 

Territory 

Received 

federal 

approval for 

Coastal 

Management 

Program 

Received full 

federal approval 

for Coastal 

Nonpoint 

Pollution Control 

Program 

Federally 

designated as 

National 

Estuarine 

Research 

Reserve 

Date of Most 

Recent Section 

312 Evaluation 

Findings and 

Sanctions per 

recent 312 

Evaluation 

New 

Hampshire 1982 2001 1989 CZM: SEP 06 NERR: SEP 06 

Adhering/ 

None 

New Jersey 1978 Conditional1 1998 CZM: JUN 07 

NERR: SEP 04 

Adhering/ 

None 

New York 1982 2007 1982 CZM: APR 07 

NERR: SEP 04 

Adhering/ 

None 

North 

Carolina 1978 2003 1985, 1991 CZM: FEB 06 NERR: DEC 04 

Adhering/ 

None 

Northern 

Marianas 1980 2003 N/A CZM: FEB 06 Adhering/ None 

Ohio 1997 Conditional1 1980 CZM: MAY 07 

NERR: AUG 06 

Adhering 

/None 

Oregon 1977 Conditional1 1974 CZM: OCT 06 

NERR: JUN 07 

Adhering/ 

None 

Pennsylvania 1980 2001 N/A CZM: JUL 05 Adhering/ 

None 

Puerto Rico 1978 2000 1981 CZM: JUN 05 

NERR: JAN 06 

Adhering/ 

None 

Rhode Island 1978 2000 1980 CZM: NOV 05 

NERR: SEP 04 

Adhering/ 

None 

South 

Carolina 1979 Conditional1 1992, 1992 

CZM: JUL 04 

NERRs: JAN 06, 

JAN05 

Adhering/ 

None 

Texas 1996 Conditional1 2006 CZM: DEC 06 

NERR: N/A 

Adhering/ 

None 

Virgin Islands 1979 2002 N/A CZM: JUN 03 Adhering/ 

None 

Virginia 1986 2001 1991 CZM: MAY 06 

NERR: MAR 07 

Adhering/ 

None 

Washington 1976 Conditional1 1980 CZM: SEP 04 

NERR: SEP 04 

Adhering/ 

None 

Wisconsin 1978 2003 In 

Development CZM: JUN 04 Adhering/ None 

1 All states were initially approved with specific conditions. These states are currently working to 

address the remaining conditions. For states that have received full approval, a date is provided. 

National Strategies 

OCRM’s New Strategic Direction 

Since OCRM’s inception, many of NOAA’s missions have been supported through partnerships with 

federal, state, territorial, tribal and local government agencies, regional and international institutions, 

other nations, universities, non-governmental organizations, and coastal- and ocean-related industries. 

Through the administration of the CZMA, OCRM contributes to three of NOAA’s principal goals to: 

 Protect, restore, and manage coastal and ocean resources through an ecosystem approach to 

management;, 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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 Serve society’s needs for information about weather and water; and 

 Support the Nation’s commerce with information for safe, efficient, and environmentally 

sound transportation. 

OCRM recognizes that the complex but vital management of coastal and ocean resources requires 

strong commitment and sustained partnerships between federal, state, tribal, and local governments, 

universities, industries, and non-governmental organizations. Using a comprehensive approach on an 

ecosystem scale, we work through key partnership programs to address the array of management issues 

facing the U.S. coasts and oceans. 

To better articulate our goals and specific roles and responsibilities, in 2007, OCRM launched a new 

strategic plan for 2007 to 2012. The strategic plan sets forth a newly defined mission “to lead the 

Nation’s efforts to manage and conserve ocean and coastal resources.” The new strategy focuses on 

three main goals: 

 Healthy Coastal and Ocean Resources: Protect and restore coastal and ocean resources to 

sustain ecological functions, cultural heritage, and social and economic benefits. 

 Resilient Coastal Communities: Foster resilient coastal communities that value and sustain 

healthy oceans and coasts. 

 Involved Coastal Citizens: Improve people’s ability and motivation to take actions that 

benefit coastal communities and ecosystems. 

This new strategy charts the way for OCRM to continue to be a leader in our Nation’s coastal and ocean 

management. 

The Coastal Management Program (CMP) developed a strategic plan for 2007–2012. The plan guides the 

program in its mission “to ensure the conservation and responsible use of our Nation’s coastal and 

ocean resources” during this critical period when a coastal visioning process and CZMA reauthorization 

effort are underway. Working in collaboration with the states, the following goals were established as 

the highest priorities for coastal management: 

 Protect, restore, and enhance coastal ecosystems. This goal includes objectives to acquire, 

restore, and create key coastal habitats. 

 Enable the development of vibrant and resilient coastal communities. This goal has 

objectives to improve state and local government capacity for decision-making; reduce the loss 

of life and property from coastal hazards; increase and enhance public access to the coast; and 

improve processes to redevelop port and waterfront areas. 

Similarly, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) began following a new roadmap in 

2006 with the adoption of a revised 2005-2010 Strategic Plan, which articulates how the reserve system 

will apply its capacity in stewardship, research, education and training to pressing coastal management 

challenges. Out of the wide range of topics, four rose to the top as deserving adequate and strategic 

investment for the national system: 

 land use and population growth; 

 water quality degradation; 

 habitat loss and alteration; and 

 changes in biological communities. 

Reserve scientists, educators and land managers identified these topics as locally and nationally 

important as well as being appropriate to the mission of the system. Knowing more about these topics 

will improve the reserves’ ability to protect and restore coastal watersheds and estuaries and empower 

individuals to make informed decisions. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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The goals, objectives and strategies outlined in the Strategic Plan will guide and support the National 

Estuarine Research Reserve System in its nationwide efforts to improve coastal management, advance 

estuarine research, and educate current and future generations of coastal stewards. 

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System also adopted a "Research and Monitoring Plan (2006-

2011)" to guide system-wide research efforts for the next five years. The plan describes the current 

state of reserve system research and monitoring activities, identifies five research priority areas, and 

outlines strategies for achieving the system’s research goals. The research priorities are Habitat and 

Ecosystem Coastal Processes; Anthropogenic Influences on Estuaries; Habitat Conservation and 

Restoration; Species Management; and Social Science and Economics.

The NERRS continued to expand its strategic responsibilities, particularly in research, monitoring and 

education. The Coastal Training Program adopted strategies and performance measures for programs 

for coastal decision makers. The reserve system has conducted two teacher needs assessments to 

determine the best ways to provide monitoring data and estuarine science curricula for K-12 science 

classes, and the Estuarine Reserves Division (ERD) is currently working with contractors to develop 

curriculum modules. The Graduate Research Fellowship Program, which has been funding up to two 

fellows for each reserve for 10 years, has now funded more than 250 fellows to conduct reserve-based 

research. Many of the fellows have gone on to work for NOAA and other federal agencies, and six are 

currently working for reserves, including one manager. In 2007, the reserve system partnered with the 

NOAA Climate Office and the Coastal Services Center to fund five graduate fellows specifically to 

conduct social science research based in reserves and their communities. 

OCRM will also continue mapping our collective progress through regular program reviews and 

evaluations, policy reviews, and the careful application and use of performance measures. OCRM 

developed the CZMA Performance Measurement System to assist with tracking and reporting key 

information to Congress, the Federal Office of Management and Budget, the Department of 

Commerce/NOAA, and stakeholders. OCRM’s Coastal Programs Division led a pilot phase in conjunction 

with state programs in 2004-2005, which guided the selection of draft performance measures for the 

National Coastal Management Program. The Coastal Programs Division updated and finalized these 

measures in 2007. The state coastal programs are reporting information on the following CZMA goals in 

three phases: 

 Phase 1: Public Access and Government Coordination, 2006 (completed); 

 Phase 2: Water Quality and Habitat, 2007; and 

 Phase 3: Coastal Hazards and Community Development, 2008. 

Over time, this information will not only help us track our successes; it will enhance our ability to 

respond to state needs and improve our programs accordingly. The NERR System has implemented 

performance measures to hold the system as well as each reserve accountable for meeting targets for 

conservation, land acquisition, as well as education and outreach, monitoring and the coastal training 

program. 

Major Program Review 

As a complement to new strategic direction, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System marked 

ten years of the System-Wide Monitoring Program with the 2006 publication 10th Anniversary Report on 

the System-Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) Data Applications: 1995-2005 (available online at 

www.nerrs.noaa.gov/Monitoring/report.html), the launch of a real-time data-sharing network, and a 

programmatic review. 

The SWMP network began providing real-time weather and water quality observations in 2006 in 

support of the burgeoning Integrated Ocean Observing System. Data from SWMP are now updated 

regularly on websites of the National Weather Service’s Hydrometeorological Automated Data System 

and the National Data Buoy Center. In addition, reserves in the Pacific Northwest teamed with the 

Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems and the Pacific Northwest Shellfish 

Growers Association to develop a web site using SWMP observations so commercial shellfish farmers can 

monitor water quality conditions for potential problems with their stock. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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The reserve system also began the second and third phases of the SWMP, establishing protocols for 

biological monitoring of emergent and submerged aquatic vegetation, and for habitat mapping and land 

use change. 

In September 2007, a seven-member Blue Ribbon Panel of experts in natural resource science and 

management conducted a programmatic review of SWMP. The reviewers evaluated the program’s 

ability to support applications in coastal resource management, research and education, as well as its 

integration with other national and regional monitoring programs. The panel is expected to provide 

recommendations for improvement and comment on the NERRS’ vision for growth of the monitoring 

program. 

Integration Activities 

In 2007, OCRM helped tackle a unique project requested by the Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB). In OMB’s response to the President’s FY 08 budget (aka, OMB “passback”), OMB called for NOAA 

to identify and develop improvements that would better integrate its coastal programs, specifically Sea 

Grant, OCRM, Coastal Services Center, and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science programs. As 

part of this effort, OMB asked NOAA to do three things: pick one to three priority challenges to focus 

on for increased integration and strategic planning and budget analysis, and for which there would be 

measures to gauge performance; create a structure that would drive coordination, yet not create new 

unwieldy structure or bureaucracy; and capitalize on existing activities. 

OCRM led NOAA’s response to this task and established an integration workgroup with representatives 

from each of the four offices. This workgroup developed and assembled several products that were 

transmitted to OMB in September 2007. The team’s response included process improvements and 

institutional mechanisms to facilitate and ensure improved integration of coastal activities among the 

offices. These improvements include both near-term actions and longer-term considerations, such as: 

 An analysis of the offices’ strategic plans and budgets. 

 A hazard resilience logic model and budget analysis to guide the offices’ activities and 

investments, and to clarify roles and responsibilities, identify existing and potential measures 

to gauge progress toward meeting identified outcomes. 

 A draft land use/coastal development logic model that the working group will finalize in early 

FY 08. 

When implemented, these proposed activities will enhance NOAA’s ability to respond to and meet 

customer needs while providing overall gains in efficiency. For further details, see Appendix C. 

Visioning 

Nowhere is new programmatic growth and improvement for OCRM more anxiously anticipated than 

through the “visioning process”—an initiative designed in partnership with the Coastal States 

Organization (CSO) to envision the future of coastal management. Since this visioning process is largely 

forward-looking, please see the Challenges and Looking Forward section of this report for more 

information. 

Federal Consistency and Energy 

The CZMA strikes a balance between the need to conserve coastal resources, and the need to provide 

for development, recreation, and other priority uses of the coastal zone. The Act establishes national 

coastal policy and authorizes states and territories to be the primary authority for determining how 

best to achieve this balance through the coastal states’ NOAA-approved management programs; the Act 

requires that federally supported coastal zone management programs give priority consideration to 

coastal dependent activities that are of national interest, e.g., siting of energy facilities, national 

defense, and ports. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Under the Act, a state’s primary ability to review federal actions is through Section 307, which is 

commonly referred to as the federal consistency provision. Through federal consistency, the Act 

requires that federal agency activities be consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the 

enforceable policies of state coastal management programs approved by OCRM. Activities by nonfederal applicants carried out under federal authorizations and funding must be fully consistent with 

the enforceable policies of coastal management programs as well. See Appendix A for a summary of 

major federal consistency actions in 2006-2007. 

Consistency Appeals 

States concur with approximately 93–95 percent of all the federal actions that they review, although 

state reviews and negotiations often result in project modifications. State objections may be appealed 

to the Secretary of Commerce. During the 2006-2007 biennium, eight appeals of state CZMA objections 

were filed with the Secretary of Commerce. The Mirant-Kendall (Massachusetts), Boyer Towing 

(Alaska), and Bureau of Indian Affairs (California) appeals were withdrawn by the appellant. NOAA 

dismissed the Ammerall (New York) appeal for good cause on procedural grounds, upholding the state 

objection. An appeal for a small project in New York (Susan Williams) is pending. And three appeals 

for liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities and waterway dredging associated with those projects 

were filed with the Secretary and are pending: AES Sparrows Point LNG (Maryland) and Weavers Cove 

LNG and Mill River Pipeline (Massachusetts). 

In addition, in 2007, the U.S. District Court remanded the Secretary of Commerce’s 2004 decision to 

override Connecticut’s objection to the proposed Islander East natural gas pipeline to the Secretary for 

further consideration. The District Court found that: (1) conclusions found in the Secretary’s decision 

were not supported by evidence in the record of the CZMA appeal particularly in regards to the alleged 

temporal impacts on shellfisheries; (2) the Secretary did not adequately consider whether reasonable 

alternatives existed that would have allowed the proposed pipeline to be located adjacent to an 

existing pipeline; and (3) certain inadequacies in meeting the notice and comment requirements for 

CZMA appeals occurred. The Secretary is currently considering these issues on remand. 

Interstate Consistency Reviews 

Federal consistency regulations authorize states to review federal activities occurring in other states 

which may have reasonably foreseeable effects within their states. States must request approval from 

OCRM to exercise this authority. Requests for OCRM approval must describe the activities and areas to 

be reviewed, and demonstrate that activities within those areas may have reasonably foreseeable 

effects. During 2006-2007, interstate consistency review authority was authorized in discreet 

geographic areas for New York for certain activities in Connecticut; for Connecticut for activities in 

New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts; and for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for activities 

occurring in Ohio. 

Administering OCRM’s Consistency Responsibilities 

Two OCRM full-time federal employees are dedicated to meeting our responsibility to administer 

federal consistency provisions. The Office receives frequent inquiries from federal agencies, state 

agencies, and federal permit and license applicants, industry, NGOs, tribes, Congress and the public 

regarding the application of federal consistency provisions. OCRM reviews and determines changes to 

state policies as well as state requests to review activities that the state has not previously identified 

for review. 

In 2006, OCRM updated the website to include a wide range of federal consistency information, 

including an overview, rulemakings, links to applicable statutory provisions and regulations, federal 

and state agency contacts, and information related to appeals to the Secretary of Commerce. See 

coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/consistency/welcome.html. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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In addition, OCRM held one federal consistency workshop during this biennium and contracted logistical 

support for additional workshops in 2008. 

 

Recent Developments – Energy 

Following the enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, OCRM promulgated revised federal 

consistency regulations in January 2006. OCRM has also seen a substantial increase in the number of 

proposed energy projects, particularly onshore and offshore Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals and 

hydrokinetic (wave, tidal and current) energy proposals. For example, more than 40 LNG projects have 

either been proposed or resulted in actual applications for licenses from the Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission (for onshore LNG) or Maritime Administration/U.S. Coast Guard (offshore LNG). The 

number and complexity of these projects have challenged the resources and expertise that NOAA and 

states have to review these proposals. 

Most states had either not reviewed an LNG project before or at least not in the past 30 years. In 

addition, new energy technologies such as hydrokinetic, offshore wind, and ocean thermal energy 

conversion are being proposed in or near state waters. The potential impacts of these technologies are 

often not known and there is a growing need for a more regional ocean governing regime to better 

manage the location and impacts of these proposals in conjunction with other uses and resources of the 

coastal and ocean areas. For more information, see coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/ene_gov.html 

Section 1465a Funds 

OCRM issued no new loans under this section during the biennium. 

Summary of Regulations 

On January 5, 2006, OCRM published a Final Rule in the Federal Register (71 Fed. Reg. 787-831 

(January 5, 2006)) making changes to CZMA federal consistency provisions. The rule changes include 

modified provisions that OCRM originally proposed in 2003. The Office crafted the modifications in 

response to two items: the 2001 Report of the National Energy Policy Development Group and 

amendments to the Coastal Zone Management Act in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. 

Additional changes to federal consistency regulations in the nature of technical corrections were 

published in December 2006. Please see OCRM’s federal consistency web page noted above for more 

information. 

Summary of Legislation 

During this biennium, the Administration has not made any recommendations for additional legislation 

in order to achieve the objectives of the CZMA. However, as reported elsewhere in this report, OCRM 

has undertaken the Envisioning the Future of Coastal Management effort in partnership with the CSO. 

The goal of this process was to envision the future of coastal and ocean management in such areas as 

stewardship, innovation and implementation. For more information, please see the Challenges and 

Looking Forward section of this report. 

Funding 

In FY06, OCRM awarded $72.7 million to the 34 state and territory coastal management programs to 

support implementation of state coastal management and coastal nonpoint programs. The National 

Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRS) received more than $26 million to operate and manage the 27 

reserves and the Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Technology (CICEET) received $6.7 

million for technology development projects. The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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(CELCP) provided more than $36 million to 31 grant recipients to protect coastal and estuarine 

habitats. 

In FY 07, OCRM distributed nearly $66 million to state coastal programs. We provided National 

Estuarine Research Reserves with $25.7 million and CICEET with $6.6 million to support innovative 

research and the application of new environmental technologies and techniques. NOAA’s FY 07 Spend 

Plan provided $27.5 million for CELCP. OCRM provided funding for 17 CELCP projects in FY07. For 

more on CELCP and CICEET, see the Challenges and Looking Forward section of this report. 

Table 2 outlines funding provided by NOAA to various coastal programs as well as funding granted to 

the National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRS) during the past biennium. States and territories are 

presented alphabetically. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Table 2. FY 2006-2007 funding for coastal programs and estuarine research reserves. 

 Coastal Zone Management Funding Estuarine Research Reserve Funding State or Territory 

Program Administration 

Program Enhancement 

Coastal Nonpoint 

NERRS Program Funding 

NERRS Acquisit& Construction 

2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 

Alabama 1,382,000 1,295,000 104,000 104,000 70,000 0 600,000 580,000 0 1,99

00 

Alaska 2,080,000 1,967,000 536,000 536,000 102,000 0 600,000 580,000 0 197,American Samoa 842,000 783,000 76,000 76,000 82,000 0 0 0 0 0 California 2,080,000 1,967,000 536,000 536,000 187,000 0 1,785,000 1,734,000 365,246 1,02

97 

Connecticut 1,998,000 1,874,000 177,000 177,000 95,000 0 0 0 0 0 Delaware 1,309,000 1,226,000 101,000 101,000 87,000 0 510,000 491,000 0 250,Florida 2,080,000 1,967,000 536,000 536,000 102,000 0 1,800,000 1,740,000 335,305 0 Georgia 2,080,000 1,967,000 270,000 270,000 70,000 0 600,000 580,000 0 0 Guam 866,000 807,000 77,000 77,000 70,000 0 0 0 0 0 Hawai’i 1,969,000 1,847,000 174,000 174,000 70,000 0 0 0 0 0 Illinois 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Indiana 1,044,000 976,000 86,000 86,000 70,000 0 0 0 0 0 Louisiana 2,080,000 1,967,000 536,000 536,000 102,000 0 0 0 0 0 Maine 2,080,000 1,967,000 409,000 409,000 173,000 0 695,000 615,000 0 28,0Maryland 2,080,000 1,967,000 521,000 521,000 187,000 0 510,000 580,000 0 0 Massachusetts 2,080,000 1,967,000 413,000 413,000 174,000 0 600,000 580,000 0 0 Michigan 2,080,000 1,967,000 536,000 536,000 102,000 0 0 0 0 0 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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 Coastal Zone Management Funding Estuarine Research Reserve Funding 

State or Territory 

Program Administration 

Program Enhancement 

Coastal Nonpoint 

NERRS Program Funding 

NERRS Acquisit& Construction 

2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 

Minnesota 955,000 893,000 82,000 82,000 81,000 0 0 0 0 0 Mississippi 1,130,000 1,057,000 91,000 91,000 70,000 0 571,090 611,090 0 500,New Hampshire 972,000 906,000 83,000 83,000 84,000 0 627,827 580,000 0 0 New Jersey 2,080,000 1,967,000 536,000 536,000 102,000 0 600,000 600,000 0 50,0New York 2,080,000 1,967,000 536,000 536,000 102,000 0 600,000 580,000 369,000 0 North Carolina 2,080,000 1,967,000 392,000 392,000 170,000 0 600,000 580,000 231,180 0 Northern Mariana Islands 905,000 845,000 80,000 80,000 83,000 0 0 0 0 0 Ohio 2,038,000 1,899,000 180,000 180,000 70,000 0 600,000 580,000 0 0 Oregon 2,080,000 1,967,000 216,000 216,000 70,000 0 600,000 580,000 90,000 251,Pennsylvania 1,961,000 1,841,000 172,000 172,000 94,000 0 0 0 0 0 Puerto Rico 2,080,000 1,967,000 215,000 215,000 103,000 0 600,000 580,000 0 0 Rhode Island 1,413,000 1,323,000 106,000 106,000 88,000 0 630,000 580,000 0 0 South Carolina 2,080,000 1,967,000 349,000 349,000 76,000 0 1,546,000 1,506,000 2,879,9 72 606,Texas 2,080,000 1,967,000 536,000 536,000 102,000 0 505,000 524,000 0 3,88

51 

U.S. Virgin Islands 896,000 835,000 79,000 79,000 83,000 0 0 0 0 0 Virginia 2,080,000 1,967,000 536,000 536,000 187,000 0 600,000 580,000 0 0 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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 Coastal Zone Management Funding Estuarine Research Reserve Funding 

State or Territory 

Program Administration 

Program Enhancement 

Coastal Nonpoint 

NERRS Program Funding 

NERRS Acquisit& Construction 

2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 

Washington 2,080,000 1,967,000 532,000 532,000 102,000 0 630,000 580,000 395,000 495,Wisconsin 2,080,000 1,967,000 191,000 191,000 98,000 0 0 0 0 0 TOTALS 59,200,000 55,780,00 0 10,000,00 0 10,000,00 0 3,508,0 00 0 16,409,91 7 15,941,09 0 4,665,7 03 9,29

00 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Regional Perspectives 

In each of the following sections, we present notable activities and accomplishments for the 2006-2007 

biennium. Stories are organized by geographic region as follows: 

New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island) 

Mid Atlantic (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia) 

Southeast and Caribbean (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, and U.S. 

Virgin Islands) 

Gulf of Mexico (Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas) 

Great Lakes (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota) 

West Coast and Alaska (California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska) 

Pacific Islands (Hawai’i, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa) 

Each section includes a discussion of regional planning and coordination mechanisms the Coastal 

Management Programs (CMP) and National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR) are involved with along 

with a description of some of their many research and training efforts. A summary table for each 

region notes key program accomplishments during this biennium as well as the status of the CMPs and 

NERRs based on recent evaluations. Case studies provide further detail about select program 

accomplishments to highlight the variety of successes the programs have achieved over the past two 

years. Appendix D details the state leadership for each program. 

New England 

Below are just a few of the many highlights from the state Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) and 

the National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs) in the New England Region. 

Working Collaboratively Around the Gulf of Maine 

For 18 years, the Gulf of Maine Council (Council) on the Marine Environment has convened U.S. states, 

Canadian provinces, federal agencies, industry, and non-governmental organizations to address priority 

issues that require a regional response in the shared Gulf of Maine ecosystem. The Maine, New 

Hampshire and Massachusetts Coastal Management Programs boarding the Gulf of Maine, as well as 

OCRM, have had active roles in the Council’s work since its inception in 1989. Staff from state coastal 

management programs actively participate in the Working Group which guides the Council’s activities 

as well as other Council subcommittees to promote a strategic, regional approach for addressing key 

issues, such as habitat restoration and Gulf of Maine mapping. State coastal management programs 

also provide key funding to carry out Council action items. 

The Council recently revised and released a 2006–2011 Action Plan. The goals focus Council efforts in 

the following areas: 

 Coastal and marine habitats are in a healthy, productive and resilient condition; 

 Environmental conditions in the Gulf of Maine support ecosystem and human health; and 

 Gulf of Maine coastal communities are vibrant and have marine-dependent industries that are 

healthy and globally competitive. 

OCRM worked with the Council Working Group to employ a logic model process, focusing future efforts 

on specific planned activities that contribute to long-term changes in the ecosystem. This process will 

enable the Council to track its progress, maintain accountability and communicate accomplishments to 

member jurisdictions and citizens of the Gulf of Maine. For more information, please visit 

www.gulfofmaine.org. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) Embarks on Regional Ocean Management 

As a result of Rhode Island Governor Carcieri’s leadership, the New England Governors and Eastern 

Canadian Premiers signed Oceans Resolution 29 in August 2005, creating a U.S. Northeast Regional 

Ocean Council (NROC). Per the resolution, NROC facilitates coordinated, collaborative regional goals 

and priorities while improving responses to regional issues. NROC also communicates regional needs at 

the U.S. level and addresses issues of national importance in the Northeast regarding the 

implementation of the U.S. Ocean Action Plan. 

 

State coastal management programs from Maine to Connecticut have been active participants in 

creating this new Regional Ocean Council, many serving as their state’s lead representative to the 

body. To date, OCRM has also functioned as the federal lead for the design and implementation of 

NROC. NROC held its first Ocean Congress in May 2007 where representatives discussed four priority 

issue areas: ocean energy siting and planning, maritime security, ocean and coastal ecosystem health, 

and coastal hazard response and resiliency. NROC members agreed these pressing issues could be more 

effectively addressed through a collaborative, regional body then individually, state by state. 

Since the Congress, NROC state representatives produced a report to the New England Governors and 

Eastern Canadian Premiers, outlining the four key issue areas and preliminary ideas for regional 

responses to be pursued by NROC and other regional partners. The Action Plans will detail how priority 

issues will be addressed, who will be involved, and in what capacity. One state and federal agency 

team will champion each issue to encourage leadership and accountability, much like the model set by 

the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. 

Research and Training Around the New England Region 

State Coastal Management Programs (CMP) and National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRS) have 

undertaken a variety of research and training over the past two years to further CZMA goals in the 

region. Research has included water quality monitoring and benthic mapping among other topics. 

Training workshops offered have helped local decision makers to improve small dock and pier 

management, implement low impact development practices, and revitalize urban waterfronts, as well 

as address other issues. 

For example, the New Hampshire Coastal Management Program financially supported the Great Bay 

Coast Watch to carry out their volunteer monitoring program at 16 sites throughout coastal New 

Hampshire. For 16 years, Coast Watch has utilized volunteers to measure salinity, dissolved oxygen, 

transparency, temperature, fecal coliform and toxic phytoplankton blooms. The monitoring program 

provides important information about the health of New Hampshire’s coastal waters. The data 

collected is entered into the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Service’s One Stop 

Reporting and Information Access Program database for use by state agencies and local groups in 

management decisions and to identify problem areas to target for improvements. 

Building on its experience collecting and sharing digital data, maps and images, the Wells National 

Estuarine Research Reserve was selected as the Mapping and Technology Service Center for southern 

Maine by the Maine Coast Protection Initiative. The reserve’s new role as a GIS Service Center expands 

its ability to provide maps, support and training to those conserving land from Kittery to Cape 

Elizabeth. In 2006 the reserve offered the first workshop in its new role: GIS Mapping for Land Trusts 

to show members of the southern Maine land conservation community how to use free software to 

make their own maps from data bundled and shared by the Wells Reserve. The workshop attracted 

participants from six conservation organizations in the service region. Other workshops concentrated 

on using global positioning systems (GPS), aerial photographs and user-defined data layers. For nearly 

a decade, the Wells Reserve geographic information systems (GIS) center has been collecting and 

sharing digital parcel maps, aerial photographs, satellite images, conserved lands maps, rare wildlife 

and plant occurrence data and other data that make maps useful for coastal management activities. 

The Reserve has produced hundreds of maps at the request of scientists, citizens, resource managers, 

students and other coastal decision-makers throughout southern Maine. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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In May 2007, Connecticut’s Coastal Management Program sponsored a workshop on Residential Dock 

and Pier Management. The growing number of small residential docks in Connecticut has been a very 

hot issue in recent years. Many coastal residents are concerned with the proliferation of docks and the 

aesthetic and environmental impacts they could have to their communities. However, few local 

decision makers and state regulators had the information they needed to effectively minimize these 

and other impacts from docks. Using training materials OCRM developed with NOAA’s National Centers 

for Coastal and Ocean Science (NCCOS), the day-long workshop brought together 90 state regulators, 

local harbor masters, local planners, consultants, contractors and private citizens to discuss small dock 

and pier management. A suite of federal, state and local speakers provided participants with a better 

understanding of the impacts from residential docks and the management techniques and best 

management practices that can be used to minimize these impacts. 

Table 3. Major Accomplishments of Programs and Reserves in the New England Region 

Program Major Accomplishments (not highlighted below) 

Connecticut 

CMP 

Completed Coastal Shoreline Statistic Project to quantify length and ownership of the 

state’s coastal shoreline according to seven shoreline types. This analysis had not 

been performed since 1980 and will provide critical information to aid coastal 

management decisions. 

Maine 

 CMP Completed a Bay Management Study to address ecosystem-based management issues 

of the nearshore environment. 

NERR - Wells 

Completed a revised management plan that establishes new goals, objectives and 

strategies for the next five years and incorporates an additional 359 acres into the 

reserve boundary. 

Completed the Wells Reserve Site Profile that characterizes the natural and cultural 

setting of the reserve and describes management priorities and restoration efforts. 

Massachusetts 

 CMP 

Led the Massachusetts Coastal Hazards Commission which released its final report, 

Preparing for the Storm: Recommendations for Management of Risk from Coastal 

Hazards in Massachusetts. 

NERR - 

Waquoit Bay 

Completed a revised management plan that establishes new goals, objectives and 

strategies for the next five years and incorporates an additional 102 acres into the 

reserve boundary. 

New Hampshire 

 CMP Launched a successful dog waste management outreach campaign and grant program 

to address identified water quality impairment to Great Bay. 

NERR - Great 

Bay 

Completed a revised management plan that establishes new goals, objectives and 

strategies for the next five years and incorporates an additional 3,883 acres of 

estuarine lands and waters into the reserve boundary. 

Great Bay Partnership won a second Environmental Merit Award from EPA in 2007 for 

land conservation efforts, including acquisition for the reserve. 

Rhode Island 

 CMP 

Comprehensively revised its Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) regulations to 

better protect eelgrass beds from shading and disturbances. 

Updated its marina regulations to establish new standards for marina expansions, 

minimizing potential environmental, navigation and aesthetic impacts. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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NERR - 

Narragansett 

Bay 

Updated 1996 eelgrass mapping project. 

Rhode Island Promotes Urban Waterfront Revitalization through its Metro Bay Special Area 

Management Plan (SAMP) 

The Metro Bay area, composed of the cities of Cranston, East Providence, Providence and Pawtucket at 

the northern end of Narragansett Bay, is a former industrial hub for the region. However, over the 

years, the waterfront area along this region has become outdated and underutilized. With the help of 

the Rhode Island Coastal Management Program, the cities are now acting to make the region a more 

appealing place to live and work by improving the economic, social and environmental resources of the 

working waterfront; attracting major developers with more predictable and efficient permitting; and 

providing recreation and access to the water. 

The Metro Bay SAMP established an Urban Coastal Greenway (UCG) policy, a new regulatory approach 

for coastal vegetative buffers in the urbanized environment of northern Narragansett Bay. The UCG 

provides a mechanism to redevelop the urban waterfront of the Metro Bay region in a way that 

integrates economic development with expanded public access along and to the shoreline, as well as 

the management, protection and restoration of valuable coastal habitats. For example, the policy 

establishes buffer width, vegetation and public access standards, and requires low impact development 

techniques to manage storm water. However, the UCG also provides for increased flexibility compared 

to Rhode Island’s standard buffer regulations. It established four different urban greenway zones 

(residential zone, area of particular concern zone, inner harbor and river zone, and development 

zone). Each zone has its own buffer standards. In addition, the UCG allows development to reduce the 

greenway width in return for site or coastal resource enhancements such as improved public access or 

habitat conservation. The policy will allow for a more predictable, flexible process for developers 

wanting to redevelop these former industrial areas while enhancing public access and protecting 

coastal resources. For additional information on the Metro Bay SAMP and the Urban Coastal Greenway 

policy visit www.crmc.state.ri.us/samp/metrobay.html. 

Massachusetts Makes an Impact on Low Impact Development 

The Massachusetts Coastal Management Program coordinates an innovative public-private 

partnership, “The Low Impact Development (LID) Working Group” to promote development techniques 

that minimize polluted runoff. The Working Group, now with more than 100 members, continues to 

grow and includes representatives from: local, state, and federal agencies; conservation organizations 

and watershed associations; private law, planning and engineering firms; developers and landscape 

architects; regional planning agencies; universities; the Massachusetts Home Builders Association; and 

the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. 

The LID collaborative has enabled members to pool resources to address LID issues more effectively. 

The group has also been very successful in connecting those with funding and expertise to those with 

implementation strategies. As one of its first tasks, the Working Group developed a “LID Wish List,” 

consisting of projects, tools and resources that would be useful in furthering LID efforts thorough the 

state. They also identified what was already being done to address these needs and what remained to 

be done. This simple effort had big dividends. Within months, LID Working Group members were 

applying for (and receiving) grants to complete projects to address the gaps they had identified. 

The collaboration and communication facilitated by the LID Working Group has led to many other 

successes as well. The Working Group has developed extensive guidance materials for those interested 

in adopting LID ordinances and implementing LID projects. In large part due to the LID Working 

Groups’ efforts, dozens of communities have adopted LID ordinances. Numerous LID projects, many 

which received national awards, have also been completed throughout the coastal zone. For more 

information about the LID Working Group, see www.mass.gov/czm/smartgrowth/lid/index.htm.
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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All Connecticut Coastal Waters Deemed “No Discharge Areas” 

During a ceremony in Norwalk, CT, July 2007, the Connecticut Governor announced that all of 

Connecticut’s Long Island Sound waters are now designated “No Discharge Areas” (NDAs), making it 

illegal for boaters to discharge sewage from vessels within the NDA. The announcement was the 

culmination of a multi-year process, spearheaded by the Connecticut Coastal Management Program to 

improve water quality, by addressing cumulative impacts of sewage discharge from boating activities in 

the Sound. The NDA designation will eliminate the release of sewage from boats, thus reducing human 

fecal waste discharge and nutrient loading to the Sound. The NDA will also reduce threats from 

bacterial pathogens in swimming areas, shellfish beds and other environmentally sensitive aquatic 

habitats. 

Wells Reserve Dedicates New Dorm for Visiting Scientists

Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME) and Timothy R.E. Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans 

and Atmosphere, were among the national, state and local officials celebrating the opening of Alheim 

Commons, the new 20-bed lodging facility for visiting scientists, educators and students, at the Wells 

National Estuarine Research Reserve in June 2006. The ceremony also celebrated the recent 

acquisition of a 2.5-acre land parcel that preserves the view of the reserve and coast from the reserve 

headquarters on the Laudholm Farm. 

Wells Reserve Hosts Tour of Best Stormwater Systems 

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maine partnered with the Spruce Creek Watershed 

Association and the town of Kittery, Maine, to sponsor a tour of state-of-the-art stormwater systems 

for regional business owners and local government officials. The tour visited sites that use a variety of 

effective technologies to control runoff pollution of local rivers and bays. Local businesses improved 

stormwater control by installing larger drainage systems, diverting runoff through a series of holding 

ponds and a buffer area at one parking lot; building a soccer field with a drainage system that diverts 

nutrient-laden water into a man-made marsh to remove nutrients; a parking lot with porous asphalt to 

reduce surface runoff; and a restaurant parking lot that replaced its asphalt surface with porous gravel. 

The director of the Stormwater Center at the University of New Hampshire joined the tour to explain 

the porous asphalt feature to the participants, who included regional business owners and officials. 

Tour participants walked away with a better understanding of stormwater control systems and how 

they could be applied on their properties to reduce polluted runoff. 

Great Bay Reserve Opens New Education Facility 

Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, joined 

Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) and other state and local officials and volunteers to celebrate the dedication 

of the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center at the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve 

in June 2006. The 5,000-square foot center, named for Sen. Gregg's father, a former New Hampshire 

governor, provides a central meeting space for up to 100 people, exhibit space featuring upland 

habitats of Great Bay, and a classroom-laboratory. The building incorporates several sustainable 

design features, including passive heating and cooling, and two composting toilets in a small attached 

building. Both levels will be fully accessible. Local products have been used in construction wherever 

possible. The new center is located adjacent to the Sandy Point Center at the end of a circular drive. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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 Mid-Atlantic 

Below are just a few of the many highlights from the state Coastal Management Programs and the 

National Estuarine Research Reserves in the Mid-Atlantic Region. 

DAWN – Delmarva Atlantic Watershed Network 

In 1996, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program was officially established as one of EPA’s National Estuary 

Programs. Maryland’s Atlantic Coastal Bays are a popular tourist destination located within Worcester 

County, home to Ocean City. The Maryland Coastal Program has provided extensive financial and 

technical support to the Maryland Coastal Bays Foundation implement the approved Coastal Bays 

Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. To facilitate broader regional coordination in a 

four county area crossing the eastern shores of three Atlantic states - Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia 

- the Delmarva Atlantic Watershed Network (DAWN) was formed in 2005. With a significant $60,000 

investment in 2007, the Maryland Coastal Management Program has helped DAWN bring together key 

local decision-makers to shape future growth patterns in their communities by focusing on technology 

transfer, outreach and education, and improved policies and planning. Using advanced software called 

“Community Viz”, partners are constructing “build out scenarios,” which consider factors such as 

zoning, water and sewer infrastructure, agricultural lands and uses, transportation, and natural 

resources to forecasts and options for future growth and development patterns. The partners are 

committed to sharing and using technologies to reach agreement on managing coastal resources in a 

more collaborative manner. Coastal program managers and leaders from Delaware and Virginia have 

been active participants in DAWN workshops. For additional information, see 

thedelmarvanetwork.org/pages/about1.html. 

Research and Training Around the North Atlantic-Mid-Atlantic Region

State CMPs and NERRs have undertaken a variety of research and training over the past two years to 

further CZMA goals in the region. Research has involved studying the impacts of invasive species and 

fringe marsh restoration techniques. For example, in 2006, the Virginia Coastal Management Program 

funded applied research to assess the impacts of the common reed (Phragmites australis) on rare birds 

in high marsh environments. The results indicated that native high marsh environments unaffected by 

common reed harbor both a greater diversity and a greater abundance of rare birds. Most strikingly, 

rare birds were virtually never found in areas impacted by common reed during the research period, 

and rare birds only inhabited areas with well connected expanses of native high marsh vegetation. The 

research results are being used to eliminate common reed in areas where its eradication should result 

in immediate habitat use by rare and threatened species. 

The state CMPs and NERRs have also been very engaged in providing needed training and technical 

assistance to improve management of coastal resources and uses across the region. Training offered 

over the last two years has covered a variety of pressing issues including shoreline erosion, waterfront 

revitalization, public access, and many more. 

For example, New York’s Coastal Management Program developed a Community Seminar Series to 

provide guidance to community leaders on the planning, design, and implementation of projects 

funded through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization 

Program (EPF LWRP) and the Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program (BOA). The seminars covered a 

range of topics, including: an overview of the LWRP process; how to develop and implement a vision; 

the role of consultants; using the adopted LWRP; grant administration/project management; and 

harbor management. Local government officials and representatives, civic and business leaders, 

community consultants, advisory committee members, and nonprofit organization leaders are all 

encouraged to attend the seminars. More than 150 people participated in the first two seminars, and 

the 2007-2008 seminars are expected to include more than 200 people representing 70 communities. 

As a result of these seminars, participants and communities have the tools and information to develop 

projects that will be successful, and to effectively implement projects and manage grants to achieve 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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the desired results. More information on the seminar series is available at 

www.esf.edu/outreach/nyseminars/. 

The Maryland and Virginia Coastal Management Programs and the Maryland and Virginia Chesapeake 

Bay NERRs also teamed up to hold the first Living Shorelines Summit for the Chesapeake Bay region in 

December 2006. The Summit brought together over 180 participants—contractors, landowners, 

environmental groups, coastal resource managers, scientists and others—to learn and share information 

about "green" alternatives to shoreline protection. 

Many people in the region were concerned about the increasing “hardening” of the Bay’s shoreline as 

more rock revetments and bulkheads are installed to protect property from eroding shorelines. 

Natural shorelines such as marshes, beaches and mudflats provide important habitat for coastal 

species, including important commercial species. Continued shoreline hardening was destroying these 

critical natural habitats. 

Discussions at the Summit focused on facilitating and promoting Living Shoreline techniques (vegetative 

planting coupled with low rock sills) as an alternative to shoreline hardening. Sessions included current 

research, site suitability and design methods, decision-making tools, state-specific regulations and 

policy, and education and outreach. As a result of the Summit, Living Shoreline partners throughout 

the region are now working together to address a list of scientific, policy, regulatory, management and 

educational actions that could be taken to help curb the growing shoreline hardening trend. More 

information on the Summit can be found on Virginia’s Living Shorelines page at 

www.deq.state.va.us/coastal/livingshore.html. 

Table 4. Major Accomplishments of Programs and Reserves in the Mid-Atlantic Region 

Program Major Accomplishments (not highlighted below) 

Delaware 

CMP Collaboratively worked with the City of Wilmington to develop a comprehensive 

Special Area Management Plan for the revitalization of South Wilmington. 

NERR - 

Delaware 

In partnership with Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental 

Control, took first place in the curriculum category of the National Association for 

Interpretation’s awards for Green Eggs and Sand: The Horseshoe Crab/Shorebird 

Education Project. 

Maryland 

CMP Completed a preliminary assessment of the importance of engaging on ocean 

management issues, especially energy siting and sand management. 

NERR - 

Chesapeake 

Bay 

Completed a curriculum for teacher training that uses water quality data collected 

through SWMP. 

New Jersey 

CMP 

Established a clean marina program with nine certified marinas and over twenty 

marinas who have pledged their commitment to participating in the program. 

Initiated a Hudson River Walkway strategic planning team to revitalize efforts to 

complete a contiguous public access way along the Hudson River waterfront. 

NERR - 

Jacques 

Cousteau 

Awarded new Graduate Research Fellowships for master’s and doctoral students to 

study social science issues within NERRS beginning July 1, 2007. 

Offered the first-ever on-line Coastal Training Program class twice during spring 2006 

and three times in 2007. 

New York 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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CMP 

Developed a monitoring process for approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs 

(LWRP) to evaluate their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. 

Created a multi-media package (video, guidebook and web based content) on 

“Watershed Plans: Protecting and Restoring Water Quality” that will be used to 

strengthen existing and grow new partnerships across the State to achieve State and 

local water quality goals. 

NERR - Hudson 

River 

Published a comprehensive “Ecological Profile of the Hudson River National 

Estuarine Research Reserve.” 

Virginia 

CMP 

Expanded Coastal Geospatial Education and Mapping System which is now the state’s 

most extensive GIS database covering both “green” (land) and “blue” (water) 

infrastructure, allowing agency collaboration that simplifies decisions by showing data 

from multiple agencies in one place. 

Developed the Virginia Seaside Water Trail to build ecotourism infrastructure along 

the Eastern Shore. The trail system offers over 100 miles of paddling routes through 

the barrier island system. 

NERR - 

Chesapeake 

Bay 

Completed a curriculum for teacher training that uses water quality data collected 

through SWMP. 

New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act 

On August 9, 2006, the State passed the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act, 

establishing a nine-member council that will coordinate programs and activities to help protect and 

restore the state’s coastal ecosystems. To that end, the council has adopted an ecosystem-based 

management approach towards achieving the following goals: clean coastal waters and beaches, safe 

seafood, healthy marine life, vibrant coastal communities, and resilient coastlines. This landmark 

legislation provides a model for other states that are considering how to implement ecosystem-based 

management. 

The New York Coastal Management Program has a significant role in carrying out the legislation’s 

directives providing staff support for the council. The Deputy Secretary of State for Coastal Resources 

also serves as the council’s executive director. The Coastal Management Program, in conjunction with 

other agencies on the council, must deliver a report to the Governor and State Legislature on how to 

implement ecosystem-based management across the State by November 2008. To meet this mandate, 

New York’s Coastal Management Program provided a report to the council in September 2007 that 

detailed progress to date, proposed a framework for how to achieve the charge of the Act, and 

provided recommendations about the structure of the council, how the work of the agency and 

ecosystem-based programs can be strengthened to advance ecosystem-based management, and how 

the council can support the development of ecosystem-based management components. Visit 

www.nyoglecc.org/ for more information. 

New Directions for Public Access in New Jersey 

The New Jersey Coastal Management Program published a proposal November 2006 that would repeal 

the existing Public Access to the Waterfront rule and replace it with a new Public Trust Rights rule. 

The new proposed rule strengthens the existing public access requirements and sets forth specific 

public access requirements for projects that receive Shore Protection Program or Green Acres (land 

acquisition) funding. In addition, a new special area rule is proposed that would protect tidal 

waterways and their shores and ensure public access to these lands is provided. (While outside of this 

biennium, the New Jersey Public Access rules were officially adopted on December 17, 2007.) 

Highlights of the proposal can be found on the Department’s website at: 

www.nj.gov/dep/cmp/access/pa_rule_highlights.pdf. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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To further promote public access within the state, the New Jersey Coastal Management Program also 

completed an interactive coastal access website (www.state.nj.us/dep/cmp/access/) that provides a 

map of public access points, including information on facilities and fees for all of New Jersey’s Atlantic 

Ocean beach access sites. Work is planned to expand this effort to include river and bay access sites. 

Managing Coastal Hazards and Sea Level Rise in Maryland 

Maryland’s coast is particularly vulnerable to episodic and chronic hazards associated with shore 

erosion, coastal flooding, storm surge, and inundation. These hazards are driven and exacerbated by 

climate change, particularly sea level rise, which is occurring in the mid-Atlantic region at a rate 

nearly double the global average. 

For the past several years, the Maryland Coastal Management Program has focused largely on climate 

change and sea level rise planning. In addition to providing personnel support, Maryland’s coastal 

management funding has also supported collaborative research needed to assess the physical impact of 

coastal hazards and sea level rise and to identify ways to mitigate for associated impacts. Recent 

accomplishments include: 

 Successfully advancing sea level rise and coastal hazard planning objectives through ongoing 

planning and policy initiatives; 

 Making significant progress acquiring technology and data to support sea level rise and coastal 

hazard planning activities: completing historic shoreline position maps; a statewide calculation 

of historic erosion rates; a comprehensive inventory of shoreline features and conditions for 

Maryland’s coast; and a sea level rise economic cost study; 

 Completing sea level rise modeling for Worcester and Dorchester Counties, and pilot areas 

within Anne Arundel and St. Mary’s Counties. High resolution topographic data for the majority 

of Maryland’s coastal counties can help develop models that demonstrate the impact of gradual 

sea level rise inundation over time as well as impacts associated with increased storm surge 

from episodic flood events; 

 Launching Shorelines Online (www.shorelines.dnr.state.md.us/), which centralizes information 

and data on coastal hazards management and sea level rise in Maryland; and 

 Playing a key role in developing an Executive Order establishing a Commission on Climate 

Change to advise the Governor and Maryland’s General Assembly on matters related to climate 

change which was signed by the governor on April 20, 2007. The Commission is developing a 

Plan of Action that will address both the drivers and consequences of climate change, 

particularly those associated with sea level rise and coastal hazards. Coastal Management 

Program staff are chairing and staffing the Adaptation and Response Working Group. 

Hudson River NERR Celebrates Three Times Over 

Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve in New York observed 2007 National Estuaries Day 

with a triple celebration in Staatsburg, NY. National Ocean Service Assistant Administrator John H. 

Dunnigan joined state officials, reserve partners, staff and volunteers to help the reserve celebrate its 

25th anniversary and dedicate the Norrie Point Environmental Center, the reserve’s new headquarters, 

built with more than $1.3 million in NOAA grants. In addition, the New York Department of 

Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis announced that the 1,722-acre Tivoli Bays 

component of the Hudson River reserve is the first state Natural Heritage Area in a new program 

designed to protect rare animals, plants and habitats in the state. The 4,838-acre Hudson River 

Reserve is in four components spread along 100 miles of the tidal Hudson River in New York State. 

NOAA’s partner in the reserve is the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Southeast and Caribbean 

Below are just a few of the many highlights from the state Coastal Management Programs and the 

National Estuarine Research Reserves in the Southeast and Caribbean Region. 

New Regional Alliance for the Southeast 

Recent regional efforts in the southeastern United States have resulted in an emerging alliance 

between the governors of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The governors and 

their appointees, established the Southeast Regional Coastal Alliance in 2007. The coastal 

management programs from all four states have been involved at varying levels in the establishment of 

this new alliance, and have been participating in the both the South Atlantic Alliance Executive Team 

and Steering Group to identify issues and priorities for the Alliance. The Alliance will complement 

existing regional arrangements, and will serve to regionally implement science-based actions to sustain 

coastal and ocean ecosystems, and provide a state partnership supported by federal and local 

governments. The current regional priorities for the alliance are: healthy ecosystems; working 

waterfronts; clean coastal and ocean waters; and disaster-resilient communities.

Southeast Reserves Set Out to Work Regionally to Tackle Invasive Species 

Managers and core staff from the Reserves in the Carolinas and Georgia identified invasive species 

management as the most pressing regional issue during the first-ever region-wide conference at North 

Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve in Georgetown, South Carolina, in August 2007. Reserve managers and 

coordinators for research, education, stewardship and coastal training programs, as well as some 

technical and support staff members, gathered to discuss the most pressing management issues and set 

priorities for research, education, stewardship and coastal training programs in the region. 

During the three-day meeting, managers and coordinators examined three issues previously identified 

as critical in the southeastern U.S.: invasive species, shoreline change and responses, and habitat loss 

and restoration. The group agreed that invasive species management is an issue on which the reserves 

can demonstrate and measure progress and which they can address regionally across all the reserve 

mission sectors. While staff from the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve in Florida was not able to 

attend the meeting, they plan to participate in the regional effort. 

Research and Training Around the Southeast and Caribbean 

State CMPs and NERRs have undertaken a variety of research and training over the past two years to 

further CZMA goals in the region. Research has included monitoring of invasive species, causes of 

marsh creek erosion, agricultural impacts on mangroves and stormwater management. The Southeast 

Region was involved in many training workshops with topics ranging from low impact development to 

marsh bird identification. 

For example, the North Carolina and Georgia Coastal Management Programs both sponsored Low 

Impact Development (LID) workshops. The coastal areas of North Carolina and Georgia continue to see 

increased growth and development as more and more people want to enjoy the benefits of coastal 

living. However, if development is not done well, it can cause significant impacts to coastal resources 

and water quality—making the coast a less desirable place to live and work. Employing LID techniques 

helps preserve valuable natural areas and reduce water pollution. The LID trainings the coastal 

programs have sponsored have played an important role in educating local planners, developers and 

other decision makers about LID concepts and how they can be implemented during development and 

redevelopment projects. For example, the North Carolina workshop for Brunswick and New Hanover 

Counties—attended by over 90 people—brought in nationally recognized LID proponent Larry Coffman to 

train the counties in implementing their new draft LID ordinances. Mr. Coffman had previously worked 

with the counties to develop the ordinances through another North Carolina Coastal Management 

Program grant. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Recognizing that realtors play a critical role in educating prospective homeowners about coastal 

policies, regulations and best management practices, the South Carolina Coastal Management 

Program and ACE Basin Reserve developed a workshop specifically for real estate professionals. The 

four-hour course answers commonly asked questions regarding property in the coastal zone, including 

critical area permitting, wetland protection and alteration, storm water, septic systems, well-water 

supply and beachfront management. This course is accredited for continuing education credit for real 

estate professionals by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. In 2006, the 

South Carolina Coastal Management Program presented four workshops for nearly 250 real estate 

professionals. 

Three southeastern reserves also collaborated to present a three-day workshop on marsh birds at the 

North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve in May 2007. Co-sponsored by the Grand Bay (Mississippi) and Ace 

Basin Reserves, as well as the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the workshop was designed to train 

participants to identify all the common calls of secretive marsh birds, and how to use the National 

Marsh Bird Monitoring Protocol. The workshop included early morning and late afternoon field training, 

as well as afternoon classroom sessions and call identification quizzes. Marsh-dwelling waterbirds are 

difficult to survey because many species are inconspicuous, and their habitat is often inaccessible. 

Population sizes and trends for most species are largely unknown, but it is important to track the birds 

because they face numerous challenges including continued habitat loss and fragmentation, sea level 

rise eliminating coastal wetlands, and the influence of various marsh management practices. How they 

fare is an indicator of overall marshland quality. 

Table 5. Major Accomplishments of Programs and Reserves in the Southeast and Caribbean Region 

Program Major Accomplishments (not highlighted below) 

Florida 

CMP See Gulf of Mexico Region for accomplishments and more in depth case study. 

NERR - Guana/ 

Tolomato/ 

Matanzas 

Environmental Educator awarded John Beakley Marine Science Educator of the Year 

award, presented by the Florida Marine Science Educators Association. 

Georgia 

CMP 

Adopted its first ever rules implementing the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act, 

providing for more stringent storm water management measures, a fifty-foot buffer on 

coastal marshlands, and limitations on effective impervious cover on upland project 

components. 

NERR - Sapelo 

Island 

Offered teacher training workshops throughout the year which incorporated 

educational resources, field based learning activities, and lecture sessions to enhance 

knowledge of estuarine systems and processes. 

Celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2006. 

North Carolina 

CMP 

Awarded approximately $140,000 in Coastal Nonpoint Source Program grants to seven 

local governments to improve storm water management by developing storm water 

management plans, ordinances, best management practices manuals, and low impact 

development plans and designs. 

Established four new compliance and enforcement positions, placing one in each field 

office. 

NERR - North 

Carolina 

Reinstated sea turtle nest monitoring at the Masonboro Island component of the North 

Carolina reserve after a five-year hiatus. 

Puerto Rico 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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CMP 

Established a web-based permit tracking database, allowing the public and developers 

to check the status of a permit online. 

Initiated an effort to delineate the maritime zone island-wide, including updated 

aerial photography and a GIS-based map. 

Celebrated its 25th anniversary in June 2007. 

NERR - Jobos 

Bay 

Celebrated 25th anniversary in November 2006. 

Expanded its role as a living laboratory as NOAA and the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture have established a Special Emphasis Watershed study in the Reserve to 

explore the environmental effects of agricultural conservation practices on the coral 

reef ecosystem. 

South Carolina 

CMP 

Implemented marine debris removal projects in the Charleston, Georgetown, and 

Beaufort county areas resulting in the removal of 30 large debris items including 

abandoned boats and miscellaneous hoses, cables, and tires. 

Awarded $97,000 in pass through grants to four local governments to enhance beach 

access. 

NERR - ACE 

Basin 

Led effort to inform homeowners as the Town of Edisto Beach implemented a citywide planning effort in conjunction with the Property Owners Association. 

NERR - North 

Inlet/Winyah 

Bay 

Facilitated the installation of a demonstration project for pervious concrete parking at 

the new Georgetown Chamber of Commerce building. 

Virgin Islands 

CMP Developed rules and regulations for the Territory's first marine park, the St. Croix East 

End Marine Park. 

New Beach Fill Rules Effective in North Carolina 

A new set of rules designed to ensure the quality of sand used for beach nourishment projects in North 

Carolina took effect February 1, 2007. The rules, extensively reviewed by scientists, academics, 

engineers, local government officials and environmental groups, represent a vigorous three-year-long 

integration of science and policy by the North Carolina Coastal Management Program. The rules, 

governing Technical Standards for Beach Fill Projects, require those projects to meet a new set of 

criteria for determining compatibility of the sand used to nourish North Carolina beaches. 

The new rules are a significant step forward in North Carolina’s efforts to improve the quality of 

material used in beach nourishment projects and will greatly reduce the possibility of finding rocks, 

mud and other incompatible materials on nourished beaches along the coast. The North Carolina 

Coastal Management Program’s previous rule, which stated only that sand used for beach nourishment 

must be compatible with existing grain size and type, was deemed vague and subjective. The new 

rules provide an objective definition of sediment compatibility for beach fill projects, and outline 

specific protocols for sampling both the beach scheduled to receive nourishment and the proposed 

borrow site, in order to correctly characterize the material found there. These methods will help 

ensure future beach fill projects will closely mimic the native characteristics of North Carolina’s 

beaches. For additional information, visit www.nccoastalmanagement.net/sediment.htm. 

North Carolina NERR Celebrates New Building Completion 

NOAA and North Carolina officials celebrated the opening of a new joint facility to house a teaching 

laboratory, classrooms, meeting rooms and offices for NOAA’s Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat 

Research and the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve in a ceremony on Pivers Island 

in Beaufort in September 2007. Speakers and guests toured the $4.6 million facility and took boat trips 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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to the Rachel Carson component of the Reserve. The 2,675-acre Rachel Carson Reserve is one of four 

components of the North Carolina NERR. The new building provides permanent space for reserve 

education and research programs that have not previously been available for the Rachel Carson 

component. The building is a joint venture between the reserve and the Center for Coastal Fisheries 

and Habitat Research (CCFHR), an office of NOAA’s Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. 

South Carolina Protects Thousands of Marsh Islands 

The South Carolina Coastal Management Program played an integral role in developing new 

regulations for marsh islands. The South Carolina General Assembly passed the new regulations in April 

2006 to afford more protection to the approximately 3,500 marsh islands located along the State’s 

coastline, as well as provide more concrete guidelines for applicants interested in developing on the 

islands. Marsh islands in South Carolina provide critical habitat for wildlife, and the former regulations 

that addressed access to marsh islands, written in the early 1990s, did not provide adequate guidance 

to would-be developers, the environmental community, or regulators making permit decisions. The 

South Carolina Coastal Management Program assembled a diverse six-member stakeholder committee, 

including conservationists, developers and legal professionals. The goal of the committee’s work was 

to build consensus among stakeholder groups to provide regulatory recommendations to the General 

Assembly. The new regulations, based on the work of the stakeholder committee and the South 

Carolina Coastal Management Program staff, afford protection to the marsh island habitat and better 

guidance for applicants. 

Georgia’s Green Growth Guidelines 

In response to the need for innovative tools to manage growth on the Georgia coast, the Georgia 

Coastal Management Program funded the development of the “Green Growth Guidelines.” Green 

Growth Guidelines serve as a practical guide to designing with the coastal landscape utilizing 

techniques such as site fingerprinting, low impact development practices for storm water and bank 

stabilization techniques. Intended for developers, engineers, land planners, local governments, 

natural resource managers and citizens, the Guidelines provide design specifications for a variety of 

low impact techniques as well as a discussion of the economic benefits of conservation development. 

The Georgia Coastal Management Program is working to make the Green Growth Guidelines available to 

every coastal county and municipality as well as the coastal development community. New chapters 

are also being prepared to ensure the manual is consistently up to date with cutting edge information. 

For additional information, see crd.dnr.state.ga.us/content/. 

New Researchers’ Dorm Dedicated at Sapelo Island NERR 

Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., joined University of Georgia and NOAA officials in dedicating the new 

Barrier Island Research and Learning Center in the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve

in Georgia in May 2007. Built with $1.49 million in direct grants and $400,000 in competitive NOAA 

grants, as well as state funding, the center provides temporary living quarters for visiting scientists and 

graduate students conducting research on the barrier island. The Sapelo Island NERR has controlling 

interest in one wing of the building. 

Significant Land Acquisition Agreement in Puerto Rico 

Through efforts of the Puerto Rico Coastal Management Program and many other agencies in Puerto 

Rico, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources entered into a land 

acquisition agreement in March 2007 that will protect a highly significant piece of coastal land on the 

northeast coast of Puerto Rico. This land has high natural and ecological values and is adjacent to the 

largest mangrove lagoon in Puerto Rico: the Piñones Natural Reserve. The land previously had been 

slated for a large development which had received approval over a decade ago, and would have 

included the largest hotel development in Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico government purchased over 

250 acres of land in the Northeast Corridor, and the Puerto Rico Coastal Management Program is 

actively participating in the process to designate the corridor as a natural reserve—the primary method 

of land and resource protection in Puerto Rico. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Gulf of Mexico 

Below are just a few of the many highlights from the state Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) and 

the National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs)in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Gulf of Mexico Alliance Addressing Key Issues in the Region 

The Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) is a state and federal partnership with the goal of significantly 

increasing regional collaboration to enhance the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of 

Mexico. To accomplish this goal, GOMA focuses its efforts on 73 action steps outlined in a Governors’ 

Action Plan. The Gulf state CMPs and NERR, along with OCRM, have significantly contributed to the 

GOMA partnership, by facilitating regional coordination and implementation of several key action 

steps. Results have exceeded initial expectations—22 percent of GOMA action steps are complete and 

68 percent are in progress towards completion by March 2009. Below are a few actions the coastal 

management programs and NERRS have been very involved with: 

 Science-to-management workshops and coordination to improve water quality: OCRM has 

taken a lead role within GOMA to identify key management needs related to nutrient pollution 

of coastal waters and estuaries. In 2007, OCRM and GOMA conducted four regional workshops 

that brought together the expertise needed to address identified management needs. 

 Regional Group for Coastal Community Resiliency: In 2007, the Mississippi Coastal 

Management Program led GOMA in the development of a Resilience Working Group to 

coordinate and enhance efforts to increase resilience in the region. Representatives from the 

Coastal Programs and NERRS, as well as OCRM, serve as members of the working group and 

contributed to the development of the group’s mission and initial action items. 

 Gulf CMP and NERR Programs Active in Environmental Education Actions: The Alabama 

Coastal Management Program leads GOMA education efforts, including the development of the 

GOMA Environmental Education Network (EEN) and a region-wide education campaign. NERRS 

have been instrumental in GOMA’s EEN. For example, the Rookery Bay NERR conducted a 

series of educational workshops to increase public input on regional issues important to the 

Alliance. Weeks Bay NERR facilitated increased collaboration between the EEN and the Gulf of 

Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) regional association. Both Rookery Bay and 

Apalachicola Bay NERRs are implementing a public awareness and involvement campaign for 

key environmental issues in the region. 

For additional information on the Gulf of Mexico Alliance see www.dep.state.fl.us/gulf/. 

Research and Training Around the Gulf of Mexico 

State CMPs anad NERRs have been involved with a variety of research and training over the past two 

years to further CZMA goals in the region. Research has focused on habitat mapping and mercury 

monitoring. For example, NOAA's Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) has established a long term 

atmospheric mercury monitoring site at the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Moss 

Point, Mississippi, to study the emission, transport, and atmospheric deposition of mercury compounds 

in coastal waters. NOAA selected the Grand Bay NERR because of its existing meteorological and water 

quality monitoring infrastructure, which is part of the SWMP, as well as its location relative to the Gulf 

and potential sources of airborne mercury. 

Training and technical assistance focused on storm water management, coastal hazards and other 

pressing topics. For example, on December 6, 2006, the Alabama Coastal Management Program and 

the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, along with the Coastal States Organization and 

other local partners, hosted a Soils, Stormwater and Watershed Protection: Tools for Managing 

Erosion workshop. The workshop was the first in a series of community workshops convened under the 

U.S. Ocean Action Plan in order to address nonpoint source pollution at a local level. This one-day 

training workshop brought together over 90 elected officials, developers, planners, engineers, and 

national resource managers from Alabama in order to improve their knowledge of the effective 

methods for managing erosion and preventing impacts of sediment-laden runoff. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Table 6. Major Accomplishments of Programs and Reserves in the Gulf of Mexico Region 

Program Major Accomplishments (not highlighted below) 

Alabama 

CMP 

Completed the first comprehensive, baseline habitat mapping project describing 

wetland and upland habitats for all of Mobile and Baldwin Counties. 

Held 3rd Annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest in October 2006 in partnership with Weeks 

Bay Reserve Foundation and many others, which attracted 376+ registrants and 

raised funds to preserve bird habitat. 

NERR - Weeks 

Bay 

Completed a revised management plan that establishes new goals, objectives and 

strategies for the next five years and incorporates an additional 333 acres into the 

reserve boundary. 

Took third place in the Youth/Education category of EPA’s Gulf Guardian Awards 

(2006). 

Florida 

CMP 

Awarded roughly 20 grants to local communities, leveraging nearly $1M for local 

coastal projects for public access, waterfront redevelopment and management of 

cultural resources. 

Obtained legislative authorization for its Waterfronts Florida Partnership Program to 

address the decline in traditional working waterfronts. 

NERR - 

Apalachicola 

Bay 

Added more than 250 acres to its management area, protecting the parcels from 

being auctioned off as “surplus” lands. 

Heavily involved in removing debris and repairing facilities damaged in recent 

hurricanes, including the lighthouse on Little St. George Island. 

NERR - 

Rookery Bay Reserve Manager invited to China to advise a group of 60 Chinese coastal managers. 

Louisiana 

CMP 

Drafted proposed amended Coastal Use Permit Mitigation Rules to reflect updated 

restoration costs, evaluate time-based mitigation requirements, and increase the 

ability of Local Coastal Programs to successfully achieve mitigation. 

Mississippi 

CMP 

Enhanced its wetland permits database by improving its permit tracking and analysis 

capabilities and making the data available to the public through the online 

interactive mapping application. 

NERR - Grand 

Bay 

Completed an Ecological Characterization of Grand Bay Reserve. 

Took 3rd place in the Gulf Guardian awards in the Partnership category for its “Grand 

Bay Bioblitz Program,” a 24-hour marathon inventory of flora and fauna in the 

18,400-acre reserve conducted every spring. 

Texas 

CMP 

Successfully completed the first phase of a programmatic self-assessment to 

determine how effective the program has been and what changes are 

necessary to ensure the sound management of the state's coastal resources. 

NERR - 

MissionAransas 

Designated new reserve. 

Acquired permanent conservation easement with Fennessy Ranch and developed 

management plan for ranch activities. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Mission-Aransas NERR Officially Designated 

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System added a new reserve for the first time in three years 

when Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, signed 

official designation papers for the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve in Texas on 

May 3, 2006. Mission-Aransas is the 27th and third largest in the system, with more than 185,000 acres. 

It is managed by the University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, in cooperation with the 

Texas General Land Office, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Texas Parks and Wildlife 

Department, the Coastal Bend Land Trust and the private Fennessy Ranch, a working cattle ranch, all 

of which are property owners within the Reserve, as well as local municipalities and non-governmental 

organizations. 

Named for the two major rivers that flow into the estuary, Mission-Aransas supports a wide variety of 

natural systems, including upland fresh water streams and riparian habitats, coastal prairie, seagrass 

meadows, mangroves, oyster reefs, open bays and beaches. The new reserve also supports a wide 

variety of human activities, including cattle ranching, oil and gas exploration, commercial and 

recreational fishing and shellfishing, hunting, camping, and birdwatching. Under the reserve’s 

management plan, all of these activities continue. 

GIS-based Building Permitting in Alabama 

The Alabama Coastal Management Program worked with several local communities to implement 

GIS-based Building Permit programs. This included funding and technical assistance through the South 

Alabama Regional Planning Commission (SARPC). These new programs will allow the local communities 

to closely monitor, track and map active building permit sites as well as map trends in development. 

In addition, given that GIS layers such as wetlands, flood zones and other pertinent data can be overlain on parcel data, citizens requesting permits can be made aware of special permitting requirements, 

base flood elevations and other natural hazard related issues. The Alabama coastal program and SARPC 

plan to transfer this technology to other local communities. 

Florida Shipwreck Interpretation and National Register Nomination 

In 1733, 13 ships of the Spanish Plate Fleet were sunk along 80 miles of the Florida Keys during a 

hurricane. These shipwreck sites represent some of the oldest artificial reefs in North America, 

supporting a complex assemblage of marine life. To preserve this significant historical coastal 

resource, the Florida Coastal Management Program awarded a grant to the Florida Department of 

State, Bureau of Archaeological Research to explore, document and assess the sunken vessels in order 

to establish the foundation for a multiple property nomination to the National Register of Historic 

Places. The Florida Coastal Management Program funds also supported the design and printing of an 

interpretive guide booklet and development of website about the shipwrecks. As a result of these 

efforts, the nomination was successful. The National Park Service listed the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet in 

the National Register in June 2006, ensuring the protection, management and enhancement of these 

unique coastal resources. For additional information visit 

dhr.dos.state.fl.us/services/magazine/index.cfm?action=article&season=05Fall&article=59. 

Louisiana Launches Innovative Online Permit Application System 

The Louisiana Coastal Management Program formally launched an online permit application system in 

November 2005, making it the first state program to have such a system. This innovative system was 

developed in response to an efficiency study to improve customer service, which identified several 

ways to improve the permit application process. The new online system has the following benefits: 

permit applications are filed and modified online, applications are processed electronically, an 

application’s progress is tracked in real-time, comments are submitted online, users are notified via 

email, and anyone can access the application online. Thus, the system has resulted in a more 

streamlined process for permit applicants, and increased public access to the information. The state 

continues to update and improve the system, but it has already received praise from both external and 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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internal users and it serves as a successful model for other states. To check out the online permit 

system go to workflow.dnr.state.la.us/sundown/cart_prod/pkg_dnr_wf.initiate. 

Good News on Public Access from Galveston, Texas

The Texas Coastal Management Program and the Texas General Lands Office worked with Galveston 

County to fully certify the County’s Beach Access and Dune Protection Plan, ensuring that public access 

to the coast is protected. After more than 10 years of negotiations, the Plan was fully certified by the 

Texas General Land Office in January 2006. The Galveston County Dune Protection and Beach Access 

Plan accomplishes the following: protects the public’s right to access public beaches; promotes dune 

protection and ensures that adverse effects on dunes and dune vegetation are avoided whenever 

possible; fosters mutual respect between public and private property owners; provides coordinated, 

consistent, responsive, and timely governmental decision making and permitting processes; and 

provides for public participation in the protection of the beach and dune system and in the 

development and implementation of the Texas Coastal Management Program. 

Great Lakes 

Below are just a few of the many highlights from the state Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) and 

National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs) in the Great Lakes Region. 

Working Collaboratively through the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration 

The seven Great Lakes state coastal management programs and Illinois have been working to 

implement the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy. The Strategy was written by a coalition of 

local, state, tribal, and federal agencies in response to a May 2004 Executive Order signed by President 

Bush, which recognized the Great Lakes as a "national treasure" and created a Federal Great Lakes 

Interagency Task Force to improve federal coordination on the Great Lakes. The Strategy has nine 

priority issue areas and the coastal programs contribute to meeting several of the goals. In the area of 

invasive species, state coastal management programs sponsor research into methods to control 

invasives, develop invasive species management plans, and update, as needed, the list of species that 

are considered invasive and therefore are subject to regulation. In the area of sustainability, state 

coastal management programs provide support for comprehensive planning and offer training on Low 

Impact Development (LID). In addition, state programs support efforts in other priority areas such as 

habitat protection and nonpoint source pollution. 

Research and Training Around the Great Lakes 

State CMPs and the Old Woman Creek NERR have undertaken a variety of research and training over the 

past two years to further CZMA goals in the region. For example, the Michigan Coastal Management 

Program supported a partnership project between the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Michigan State 

University, and Ford Motor Company to study the feasibility of halting coastal dune mining. Michigan’s 

Great Lakes sand dunes, providing habitat for numerous threatened and endangered species, have been 

threatened by continual sand mining. The dunes have been an important source of sand to the foundry 

industry making metal castings for auto manufacturing. Despite state laws enacted to minimize the 

effect of coastal dune mining, more than two million tons of sand were mined annually from 1978-

1999. The research report, "Coastal Dunes and the Auto Industry: Investigating Alternatives to 

Mining," lays out specific recommendations for transition to inland mining. The landmark study is the 

first official look into potential alternatives to coastal dune mining in nearly 30 years—and the first to 

conclude that sources of inland sand could be an alternative to coastal dunes. For additional 

information, see www.greatlakes.org/news/012507.asp. 

The Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve partnered with the Ohio Lake Erie 

Commission (LEC) to help with its ongoing Balanced Growth Training Program which was funded in part 

by a grant from the Ohio Coastal Management Program. Each class was taught by a certified planner 

and includes an overview of development and protective regulations such as conservation 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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development, compact development, riparian and wetland protection and a specific focus on 

stormwater management. Participants received a CD containing model ordinances and continuing 

education credits are available to planners, attorneys, engineers and water/wastewater operators. To 

date, training has been provided to nearly three hundred local officials, and developers at eight 

locations throughout the Lake Erie watershed. As a result, 148 participants pledged to take steps 

toward implementing best local land use practices in their communities. Pledged actions ranged from 

introducing or enacting wetland and riparian setbacks to incorporating smart/balanced growth 

concepts in comprehensive plans and educating others about these approaches to development. 

The Ohio Coastal Management Program also funded three watershed coordinator positions throughout 

the Lake Erie watershed. The Watershed Coordinators provide assistance to local stakeholders in 

developing comprehensive watershed plans to address nonpoint source pollution impacts to Lake Erie. 

While Ohio’s statewide Watershed Planning Program is voluntary, there is a strong incentive for local 

groups to develop watershed plans as many of Ohio’s federal and state water quality programs give 

priority funding to implement endorsed watershed plans. However, developing an acceptable 

watershed plan can be a daunting undertaking for most local groups that lack specific training in 

watershed planning. The assistance the Ohio Coastal Management Program has provided through the 

watershed coordinators has been critical for furthering watershed planning efforts within the Lake Erie 

Basin and helping local stakeholder groups be more competitive for state and federal water quality 

funding. Within the Lake Erie Basin, four watershed plans have been fully endorsed and eleven others 

are in development or partially endorsed. 

The Ohio Coastal Management Program-supported watershed plans provide a strong foundation on 

which to build support for community priorities. For example, the West Creek Preservation Committee 

and local partners utilized their community’s watershed plan in order to successfully compete for more 

than $250,000 in state and federal funding supporting stream restoration, conservation easement 

acquisition, and sediment control projects within the West Creek watershed. 

Bluff recession and erosion threatens many homeowners along Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie shoreline. The 

Pennsylvania Coastal Management Program has undertaken several training and assistance projects to 

better educate Erie County residents about these threats and what they can do to help minimize bluff 

recession and shoreline erosion on their property. For one project, the Pennsylvania Coastal 

Management Program partnered with the Pennsylvania-Lake Erie Watershed Association to conduct two 

public workshops addressing bluff recession and erosion for Erie County residents. The workshops were 

very successful with about 40 people attending each session. The Pennsylvania Coastal Management 

Program also worked with Mercyhurst College to produce a useful and well-received manual of 

recommendations for landowners that face erosion and bluff recession challenges. 

Table 7. Major Accomplishments of Programs and Reserves in the Great Lakes Region 

Program Major Accomplishments (not highlighted below) 

Indiana 

CMP 

Restored approximately 30 acres of natural plant communities associated with a dune 

and swale system, achieving a 90% reduction of the invasive plant species Phragmites 

australis at Pine Station Nature Preserve. 

Michigan 

CMP 

Funded bathymetric surveys of ancient shorelines along the submerged Trans-Huron 

Land Bridge to gain a better understanding of prehistoric benthic communities and 

forest remains in the area as well as search for evidence of Paleo-Indian culture along 

the ancient shores. 

Minnesota 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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CMP 

Competitively awarded over $1.3M to support coastal management projects at the 

local level to enhance public access, protect natural and cultural resources, update 

land use plans, and improve outreach and education. 

Ohio 

CMP 

Released the 2nd edition of the Ohio Coastal Atlas, an online tool that combines GIS 

mapping capabilities with text, graphics, pictures, and contact sources to produce an 

easy-to-understand guide to many resources in the Lake Erie Watershed. 

NERR - Old 

Woman Creek 

Hosted one of the first Hollings Scholars in Summer 2006. 

Hosted the reserve system annual meeting in October 2006. 

Pennsylvania 

CMP 

Finalized the Pennsylvania Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan which sets 

policies for minimize the introduction of invasive species into the state’s waterways. 

Developed Commonwealth Model Submerged Lands Legislation, which serves as a 

boilerplate for proposed submerged lands legislation and contains important language 

on protecting and enhancing public access to coastal resources. 

Wisconsin 

CMP 

Comprehensively updated its coastal program for the first time since 1991 to reflect 

changes in state legislation. 

Contributed funding and significant staff time to the state’s National Estuarine 

Research Reserve site-selection process, which made progress toward establishing the 

first NERR on Lake Superior. 

Wisconsin Promotes Great Lakes Circle Tour 

Utilizing technology to connect people to the coast, the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program 

funded a unique interactive website to highlight Wisconsin’s portion of the Great Lakes Circle Tour. 

The Great Lakes Circle Tour is a designated 6,500-mile scenic, international road system connecting 

the five Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. The Wisconsin Coastal Access Guide lets users easily 

navigate an online map of Wisconsin’s coastline to discover the great natural, cultural and recreational 

opportunities the state has to offer. The interactive map includes 360 degree photos of public access 

sites, boat ramps, beaches and parks located on Lakes Superior and Michigan. The site also notes the 

location and provides information about Wisconsin’s lighthouses and many of its shipwrecks. The 

online Coastal Access Guide has increased people’s awareness of the state’s many coastal access sites 

and other coastal treasures. The website is located at 

www.aqua.wisc.edu/GLCT/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx.

Indiana’s Restoration Efforts Received National Award 

The Indiana Coastal Management Program received an Award of Excellence from the National 

Association of Conservation Engineers (ACE) for the Dunes Creek restoration project in Indiana Dunes 

State Park that was completed in February 2006. 

Dunes Creek empties into Lake Michigan, adjacent to a popular state park bathing beach. In the 1930s, 

the Civilian Conservation Corps had directed the creek underground into approximately 1,300 feet of 

concrete pipe beneath a parking lot. Recently, high fecal coliform levels at the beach had forced 

beach closures during the summer. After studying the issue for several years, multiple state and 

federal agencies concluded that the elevated coliform levels were caused by runoff from the adjacent 

woods into the creek during heavy rainfall. Restoring Dunes Creek offered an opportunity to rectify 

the water quality and erosion problems as well as improve habitat in the area. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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The Indiana Coastal Management Program funded the Dunes Creek restoration project which daylighted 

approximately 500 feet of stream. “Daylighting” is an industry term for taking a stream that has been 

routed through a culvert and restoring it to an open, natural channel. 

This project is showing early signs of success. The newly planted vegetation has begun to grow and 

stabilize the bank. Bacteria monitoring in 2006 and 2007 found significant coliform reductions as well. 

Ultimately this restoration project should lead to lower bacteria levels at the Indiana Dunes state park 

beach, and thus fewer beach closures. 

Joint Resource Management in Michigan 

Traditional models of planning and zoning discourage communities from thinking outside their borders. 

Yet, watersheds, wildlife habitat and prime agricultural land are just a few examples of land resources 

that are unconstrained by political boundaries and commonly span multiple governmental units. 

Thanks in part to progressive state laws enacted in recent years and the support of the Michigan 

Coastal Management Program, some Michigan communities are beginning to adjust their approach to 

planning and zoning to be able to cooperatively manage shared natural resources. 

The Michigan Coastal Management Program provided funding to a Joint Planning Commission that 

oversees five townships in north central Muskegon County to develop a joint comprehensive 

development plan. Through the planning process, the townships delineated the 43 square-mile joint 

planning area rich in recreational lands including Lake Michigan lakefront, part of the Muskegon State 

Game Area, internationally-renowned Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and Owasippe Scout Reservation, the 

oldest continuous scout camp in the Nation. In August 2007, the Joint Planning Commission adopted 

the joint comprehensive land use plan which presents a coordinated vision for future growth and 

resource protection for the five communities—something that would not have been possible without 

this collaborative planning effort supported by the Michigan Coastal Management Program. The Joint 

Planning Commission is now working with the five townships as they consider formal approval or 

endorsement of the joint comprehensive development plan. 

Revitalizing Waterfront in Minnesota 

The Minnesota Coastal Management Program provided critical funding for the planning and 

construction of a new Harbor Park in Grand Marais, MN. The park, situated where an aging gas service 

station once stood, significantly enhanced public access to Lake Superior and revitalized the Grand 

Marais waterfront. Today, visitors can walk the paths of Harbor Park to enjoy unlimited views and 

access to Lake Superior. The Park has become a central gathering place for the community during the 

summer, hosting festivals and other events. The success of this project has motivated Grand Marais to 

seek additional funding to expand its revitalization effort into other parts of its waterfront as well. In 

addition, the community is also planning several storm water improvement projects to improve water 

quality along the Harbor now that is has become a focal point for the community. The Grand Marais 

Harbor Park demonstrates that coastal management funding not only directly impacts one project but 

can be the spark that generates many other beneficial projects as well. 

West Coast and Alaska 

Below are just a few of the many highlights from the state Coastal Zone Management Programs (CMPs) 

and the National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs) in the West Coast and Alaska. 

West Coast Governors Band Together to Tackle Ocean Health 

The Washington, Oregon and California Coastal Management Programs have all been actively 

involved in implementing the new West Coast Governors Agreement. Motivated by recommendations 

from the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission, the governors of 

Washington, Oregon and California signed the West Coast Governor’s Agreement on Ocean Health on 

September 18th, 2006. The Agreement seeks to take a collaborative, ecosystem approach to protecting 

and managing ocean resources along the entire west coast and includes an aggressive timeframe for 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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achieving seven major goals: clean coastal waters and beaches; healthy ocean and coastal habitats; 

effective ecosystem-based management; reduced impacts of offshore development; increased ocean 

awareness and literacy among the region’s citizens; expanded ocean and coastal scientific information, 

research, and monitoring; sustainable economic development of coastal communities. West Coast 

Governors Agreement staff, with input from state coastal management programs and others, published 

a Draft Action Plan in October 2007 that is slated for completion and release in early 2008. For 

additional information about the West Coast Governors Agreement see westcoastoceans.gov/. 

Research and Training Around the West Coast and Alaska 

State Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) and National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs) have 

undertaken a variety of research and training over the past two years to further CZMA goals in the 

region. Research has focused on oyster restoration, tide gates, marsh restoration and invasive species 

among other topics. For example, the South Slough Reserve in Oregon is conducting a communitybased project to restore native Olympia oysters on the West Coast. The project is gathering 

information about the genetic signature of existing oyster populations to identify potential broodstock 

sources and conduct experiments to assess oyster survivorship, growth, and reproduction. The project 

also brings together scientists, commercial shellfish growers and other local stakeholders interested in 

the success of native oysters. NOAA’s Community-based Restoration Center and the Nature 

Conservancy also provided funding to support the project. 

Instruments at the South Slough Reserve near Charleston, Oregon, detected the November 15, 2006 

tsunami that was generated by a magnitude 8.3 earthquake near Russia’s Kuril Islands, 4,000 miles 

away. The water level rise at South Slough was tiny—just 3.5 inches—but distinct, a small blip that 

occurred at 11:30 a.m., shortly before low tide. The Yellow Springs Instruments Model 6600-EDS 

datalogger maintained by South Slough Reserve as part of the SWMP was one of two in the area that 

measured the small rise and reverberations that took place over the next 12 hours throughout the 

estuary. The other instrument in the area is maintained by NOAA’s National Water Level Observation 

Network. The recording at South Slough confirmed predictions by the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami 

Warning Center about the arrival time and amplitude for the diminished tsunami, demonstrating the 

broad value of the SWMP to coastal management. 

The Elkhorn Slough NERR in California also hosted a research symposium to highlight scientific studies 

that have been conducted in the 1,400-acre reserve near Monterey Bay. Reserve staff organized the 

symposium to enhance collaborations between researchers from different organizations and to share 

the latest findings about Elkhorn Slough ecosystems with organizations that can use the information to 

improve conservation strategies. A dozen presentations covered a range of subjects from oxygen 

dynamics and biogeochemical processes to amphibian habitat use and the effects of cattle grazing in 

coastal prairie. The event also featured nine posters covering topics from organic mosquito control to 

the role of wetlands in improving water quality. 

Training offered to address pressing coastal management issues over the past two years included 

energy facility siting, federal consistency review, coastal hazards, and land use planning. For example, 

the Oregon Coastal Management Program and South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve 

partnered with the NOAA Coastal Services Center to hold a week-long computer-lab training for local 

planning staff in GIS applications to support coastal planning and management decisions. GIS can be a 

valuable tool to help local planners visualize and assess coastal resources and uses to ensure coastal 

management goals are carried out. However, local planners often do not have the technical training 

needed to be able to effectively apply GIS. Therefore, this training was critical in getting local 

planners the skills they needed to make improved coastal management decisions. 

To improve its training capabilities, Alaska’s Coastal Management Program made major improvements 

to its website (www.dnr.state.ak.us/acmp/), providing online technical training on such subjects as 

Alaska coastal consistency review regulation changes and State standards. On-line training modules 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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like these are critical in Alaska due to the distance and cost involved in travel for district planners and 

others involved in permit application review. 

Table 8. Major Accomplishments of Programs and Reserves in the West Coast and Alaska Region 

Program Major Accomplishments (not highlighted below) 

Alaska 

CMP Approved 16 of the 28 district coastal plans to meet new coastal standards and 

guidelines. 

NERR - 

Kachemak Bay 

Completed a revised management plan that establishes new goals, objectives and 

strategies for the next five years. 

Worked with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support investigation into sea otter die 

off in 2007. 

California 

CMP 

Comprehensively revised San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission 

Recreation Policies - the first update since 1968. 

Continued to work through the California Coastal Commission to ensure that 125 public 

access easements along the coast were accepted by other state agencies or 

nonprofits, preventing them from expiring. 

NERR - Elkhorn 

Slough 

Completed a revised management plan that establishes new goals, objectives and 

strategies for the next five years. 

Dedicated new NOAA-funded research and teaching complex at reserve in 2007. 

NERR - Tijuana 

River 

Partners with the California Biodiversity Council to initiate and fund several actions to 

protect the estuary. Actions included first steps to build sediment basins on both sides 

of the border with Mexico, add package sewage plants in the San Bernardo community 

in Tijuana, Mexico, and manage tires and trash on both sides of the border. 

Celebrated 25th anniversary in 2007. 

NERR - San 

Francisco Bay 

Dedicated new headquarters building, a Navy warehouse converted with NOAA 

support, in 2007, in Tiburon. 

Created interpretive exhibits at the Rush Ranch site in partnership with the Solano 

Land Trust. 

Oregon 

CMP 

Upgraded the content and functionality of the on-line Oregon Coastal Atlas 

(www.coastalatlas.net/) including searchable information on public access sites and 

amenities. 

Worked with Clatsop County, the cities of Astoria and Warrenton, and the Oregon 

Department of Transportation to complete a regional transportation model and a subregional refinement plan to address transportation and land use issues within the area.

NERR - South 

Slough 

Completed a revised management plan that identifies nine priority areas and 

establishes new goals, objectives and strategies for the next five years. 

Attracted national attention for installing fish-friendly, low-impact ramp for canoe and 

kayak access on a tributary creek. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Washington 

CMP 

Created a pilot Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program in partnership with the 

Department of Ecology, to focus many small mitigation projects into larger, more 

ecologically valuable sites. 

NERR - Padilla 

Bay 

Completed 4-year construction program, resulting in new training rooms and teaching 

space in the Breazeale Interpretive Center, a new laboratory and dormitory building, 

and remodeling of the small house and storage barn. Solar panels enable the reserve 

to generate “green” electricity into the “grid” for credits against power used. 

Northwest Shellfish Growers Get Real-time Data from System-Wide Monitoring Program 

Shellfish growers in the Pacific Northwest can now get near real-time water quality data from the 

SWMP operating at National Estuarine Research Reserves in Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. The 

data are available through telemetering capabilities, which measure, receive and transmit data 

automatically from distant sources. Through a website jointly sponsored by the NERR System and the 

Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems, growers can view up-to-date water 

temperature, salinity, oxygen, turbidity, pH and chlorophyll data from reserves in Kachemak Bay, 

Alaska, South Slough, Oregon and Padilla Bay, Washington, as well as from four buoys in Hood Canal—a 

long arm of Puget Sound west of the main basin—operated by the University of Washington’s Oceanic 

Remote Chemical Analyzer project. Accurate, current water quality data from NERR System helps 

Northwest shellfish growers maintain healthy stocks. 

San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission Planning for Climate Change 

Historical records show that sea level in San Francisco Bay has risen 18-20 cm (7 inches) over the past 

150 years and it is predicted to rise an additional 24 to 48 cm by the end of the 21st century. Sea level 

rise models indicate that a 30 cm (11.8 inch) rise in sea level would shift the 100-year storm surgeinduced flood event to once every 10 years. At those levels, with each flood event, the Bay Area 

stands to lose valuable real estate, critical public infrastructure, and natural resources. 

To prepare for climate change and sea level rise, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and 

Development Commission (BCDC), our state partner in coastal management, is conducting a climate 

change study. The study’s goals are three-fold: (1) identify the impacts of climate change on San 

Francisco Bay; (2) update the pertinent San Francisco Bay Plan findings and policies pertaining to global 

climate change effects on San Francisco Bay; and (3) organize and participate in a regional program to 

address climate change in the Bay Area. As part of the study, BCDC is mapping San Francisco Bay 

shoreline areas that are vulnerable to sea level rise and increased storm frequency and intensity. The 

maps are available at www.bcdc.ca.gov/index.php?cat=56. 

Elkhorn Slough NERR Dedicates New Research and Teaching Lab 

Former Congressman and White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta was the keynote speaker when 

Elkhorn Slough NERR cut the ribbon on its new $2.7 million Research and Education Laboratory in 

August 2007, in Watsonville, California. The 3,500-square-foot building includes new research and 

teaching laboratories, office and meeting space for reserve staff and visiting scientists and students. A 

small studio apartment will provide temporary quarters for visiting scientists who need to stay on site 

overnight. NOAA contributed more than $1.9 million in competitive construction grant funding for the 

building. 

New Headquarters for San Francisco Bay NERR 

Timothy R.E. Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, helped to 

celebrate the opening of a refurbished headquarters for the San Francisco Bay NERR in August 2007 in 

Tiburon, California. Keeney joined California Secretary for Resources and San Francisco State 

University’s (SFSU) President to honor the $2.5 million transformation of a former Navy warehouse into 

office and laboratory space for the reserve and the university’s Romberg Tiburon Center for 

Environmental Studies, which is NOAA’s primary partner in the management of the reserve. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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The renovation created 17 new offices, a library and reading room, and a comfortable conference 

room. The building also includes two new classrooms to provide space for university classes during the 

school year and for professional development workshops for science teachers on weekends and during 

the summer. The ceremony also recognized the transfer of 10.5 acres of land from NOAA to SFSU to 

complete the transfer of a former NOAA Fisheries facility to the Romberg Tiburon Center. 

Updating Alaska’s Coastal Program 

In late 2005, the Alaska Coastal Management Program received OCRM approval for major revisions to 

its state standards and guidelines. These revisions improved the state consistency review process. 

Timing and predictability were enhanced by reducing duplication of permit review through broadly 

defined statewide standards, revised roles for coastal district government in the permitting process 

and implementing a streamlined consistency review process for certain activities. 

The Alaska Coastal Management Program has spent the majority of its efforts over the last three years 

working closely with coastal districts to update their district coastal management plans to reflect these 

revised statewide standards and guidelines. The state has held several workshops and provided 

numerous one-on-one consultations with coastal districts to achieve 100 percent participation in the 

revised program. The coastal management program is currently developing a plan to improve 

communication with the districts and provide additional training to district planners and state and 

federal officials. The training will focus on how these entities, all involved in the permitting process, 

can best work together on interpretation and implementation of the state standards and guidelines. 

Shoreline Master Programs Approved in Washington 

The Washington Coastal Management Program approved the first three of 125 comprehensive updates 

to local Shoreline Master Programs (SMPs) located in their coastal zone. SMPs are local government 

plans for addressing development issues along their marine and freshwater shorelines. The SMPs are 

being revised to incorporate substantial changes to the SMP guidelines. The Guidelines were rewritten 

in 2003 in response to major updates to the state’s Shoreline Management Act (SMA), the first major 

update since its 1972 inception. 

The SMA and SMPs are the cornerstone of Washington’s coastal program, encouraging water-dependent 

uses, the protection of shoreline natural resources, and increased shoreline public access. Among 

many other improved requirements, SMPs must now ensure that regulated development results in “no 

net loss of ecological function.” Local governments demonstrate this tenant by undertaking a 

cumulative impacts analysis of their proposed polices and regulations. SMPs must also contain 

restoration plans that identify and prioritize restoration sites. 

Washington Coastal Management Program staff provides significant technical assistance to local 

jurisdictions to help them with their plan updates. Washington is scheduled to complete and approve 

all 125 SMPS by 2014. For additional information about Washington’s Shoreline Master Program, visit 

www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/sma/st_guide/SMP/index.html. 

Pacific Islands 

Below are just a few of the many highlights from state and territory Coastal Management Programs in 

the Pacific Islands. 

Micronesia Challenge: A Regional Initiative for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands

Through the “Micronesia Challenge” regional conservation partnership, the Governors of the 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam charged the Guam and CNMI Coastal 

Management Programs with coordinating the U.S. contributions to their commitments to “effectively 

conserve at least 30% of the near-shore marine and 20% of the forest resources across Micronesia by 

2020.” The CNMI and Guam coastal program offices have led their jurisdictions in the development of 

their own draft strategies to address this goal, in coordination with other local agencies, federal 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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partners and non-governmental organizations. This commitment has received world-wide attention 

and acclaim. For additional information, see www.nature.org/success/art16924.html. 

Sea Change in the South Pacific: the Future of Coastal Management in the Samoan Archipelago 

American Samoan shares the marine ecosystems of the Samoan Archipelago with Western Samoa. 

Recognizing that the Samoan Archipelago’s coastal and ocean resources and marine ecosystems are 

influenced by actions from both island jurisdictions, the American Samoa Coastal Management 

Program is carefully rethinking how to effectively address the numerous coastal and marine issues in 

the region. Several of these issues will require careful, regional policy coordination between the two 

Samoan governments to be effectively addressed. In 2007, the American Samoan Governor and the 

Western Samoan Prime Minister met and agreed on the need for increased collaboration between the 

two jurisdictions and their coastal management programs. In moving toward their vision, the American 

Samoa Coastal Management Program has begun to work with agencies jointly in both Samoan 

jurisdictions, including convening transnational policy meetings, fostering discussions between both 

governments to share lessons learned and best practices and beginning to coordinate multijurisdictional action to address regional conservation issues. Information on this new initiative can be 

found at www.asdoc.info/CZM/1CZMGT.htm. 

Research and Training Around the Pacific Islands 

State and territory Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) have undertaken a variety of research and 

training over the past two years to further CZMA goals in the region. Research and studies have 

included coral reef monitoring, mangrove restoration and others. 

For example, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Coastal Management 

Program has continued to work with the Division of Environmental Quality to lead an interagency 

marine monitoring team (MMT). The MMT, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this biennium, is a 

holistic program designed to gain a critical understanding of nearshore coral reef ecology by annually 

surveying over 40 sites around the islands of Rota, Tinian, Agijuan and Saipan. These surveys provide 

the basis of a series of State of the Reef Reports for CNMI. The studies conducted by the MMT have 

also contributed to technical reports and peer reviewed publications. 

The MMT is also completing an intensive marine habitat mapping effort in the 18 km long Saipan lagoon 

which will support decisions regarding the placement of marine protected areas and boost local 

capability to assess environmental change. 

One of the outstanding aspects of the MMT’s efforts is the direct applicability of the data gathered to 

local management issues. The MMT’s surveys have documented a continued decline of coral 

communities at Lau Lau Bay, despite initial restoration efforts. This information was used to secure 

funding for a watershed restoration initiative. Though coral reef recovery is still a few years away, the 

ability to monitor change over the long-term is a critical tool for assessment of the eventual success of 

this project. For additional information about the MMT visit cnmicoralreef.net/monitoring.htm. 

Applied research was also conducted in the South Pacific during 2006 and 2007. At the request of local 

village leaders, the American Samoa Coastal Management Program has completed the restoration of a 

few acres of mangrove forest within a highly degraded but biologically significant wetland. The 

applied research project was aimed at providing and documenting the degree of mangrove ecosystem 

services that can be provided as a result of the successful replanting of mangrove forests to the local 

people of Nu’uuli town. The project has demonstrated how restored mangroves not only provide 

invaluable coastal erosion protection to families and landowners, but also critical nursery habitat for 

important food fish stocks, improved water quality as a result of buffering and controlling upland storm 

water runoff, and natural filtration and trapping of land-based pollution sources. 

Local town residents actively participated in the mangrove project’s planting, rehabilitation, and 

monitoring activities. As a result of an ongoing partnership with island educators, school students have 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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been able to learn about local mangrove ecology in a hands-on classroom setting, and directly witness 

the social benefits of mangrove forests while also exposing them to and developing their interests in 

the natural sciences and mathematics. To learn more about the Program’s wetlands management 

efforts, visit www.asdoc.info/CZM/wetland.htm. 

The Pacific Island coastal management programs have provided trainings and technical assistance on a 

range of important coastal management topics including coastal hazards preparedness and geospatial 

analysis. For example, recognizing the increasing rates of rapid residential growth and development 

along the waterfront of the main Hawaiian Islands, the Hawai’i Coastal Management Program

published the “Natural Hazard Considerations for Purchasing Coastal Real Estate in Hawai’i – A Practical 

Guide of Common Questions.” The publication provides basic information on coastal hazards that 

waterfront property investors and developers should consider when purchasing coastal land. The guide 

also helps to address common concerns and questions, and provides options and resources to protect 

coastal real estate and safeguard the lives of residents. It has been well received by the public, and is 

being widely circulated by real estate companies with potential buyers. 

In addition, the Hawai’i Coastal Management Program co-hosted a training course for 260 industry and 

government professionals on the application of international building codes within development 

projects in Hawai’i. These codes require the adoption of state-of-the-art engineering as mitigation 

against historically common coastal hazards in the islands, such as flash floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, 

and hurricanes. The consensus of attendee feedback was that such training is essential to the 

development of a highly qualified public and private building industry focused on safeguarding lives and 

property. 

Guam’s Coastal Management Program developed an introductory geospatial analysis course designed 

for new users within the Guam government and federal agency employees working on Guam. GIS can 

be an important tool for coastal management planning and decision making as it allows users to map 

and assess critical coastal resources and uses. A similar, inter-agency geospatial training program 

offered in the Northern Marianas over the past two years has been led by the CNMI Coastal 

Management Program. In both cases, the coastal programs’ GIS training courses have greatly 

increased the geospatial analysis capabilities and applications across a number of agencies in the CNMI 

and Guam Governments. 

Table 9. Major Accomplishments of Programs in the Pacific Islands Region 

Program Major Accomplishments (not highlighted below) 

American Samoa 

CMP 

Provided students with exciting, hands-on learning opportunities, exposing them to the 

application of science and mathematics in addressing critical island environmental issues 

through Enviro-Discovery Summer Camps and Adopt-A-Teacher Program. 

Guam 

CMP 

Raised support and awareness for sea turtle conservation through a public school student 

project which created 20 full-scale fiberglass sea turtles for display throughout the 

territory at fine art galleries and public events. 

Hawai’i 

CMP Completed wind speed and flow testing on Maui, coupled with geographic data allowing 

development of State-approved hurricane-resistant building code amendments. 

Northern Marianas 

CMP 

Successfully reduced juvenile sea turtle (egg and hatchling) mortality and protected 

nesting grounds from disturbance through its “Walk It, Don’t Drive It” public campaign to 

restrict vehicular beach traffic. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Ocean Resources Management Plan: Charting a 30-Year Vision in Hawai’i 

The Hawai’i Coastal Management Program successfully led the development and legislative adoption 

of a comprehensive ocean resources management plan (ORMP), in coordination with relevant State 

agencies and a citizen advisory board. A draft version of the plan was reviewed and discussed among 

federal and non-government organizations as well as through eight public hearings held across the 

islands, including 122 sets of written comments from community members. The ORMP outlines a vision 

for marine resources in Hawai’i, identifying priority actions and goals to be achieved through a set of 

focused, 5-year work plans that will be implemented through public-private partnerships. A 

collaborative, multi-agency team is currently initiating the ORMP implementation. The new ORMP is 

available online at www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/czm/. 

Reducing Hazard Risk in American Samoa 

People looking to build their homes or other structures on Tutuila Island are now able to rapidly 

identify and obtain information on the potential hazard risks they face in any location thanks to the 

integration of the Tutuila Hazard Assessment Tool (T-HAT) into the American Samoa Coastal 

Management Program’s development permit application and review process. Through a simple, online 

computer interface, T-HAT makes use of geographic and hazards data (such as flood plain maps and 

tsunami inundation zones). The tool allows users to select and enlarge any specific location on an 

island map and quickly obtain the potential natural hazard risk levels for that specific location. The 

technology is being credited with helping to safeguard lives and property in the islands. 

Restoring Water Quality and Corals in the Marianas 

Nearly 900 saplings of nine native tree species were successfully planted and cared for throughout the 

Laulau Bay Watershed by 150 community volunteers over the past two years in the Commonwealth of 

the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This project was led by the CNMI Coastal Management Program 

in an effort to re-vegetate this critical watershed on Saipan, in response to illegal burning of the forest 

by hunters and farmers. The reforestation is helping to reduce soil erosion, storm water runoff and 

other ‘down-stream’ effects in the bay adjacent to the watershed. As a result of this effort, 

improvements in both water quality and coral reef health have been observed in the bay by CNMI 

government biologists. 

Leading an Environmental Partnership with the Department of Defense 

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced their plan to relocate 26,000 military personnel and 

dependents and infrastructure from Okinawa, Japan to Guam by 2014 to increase the national strategic 

defense role of the Mariana Islands. The planned build-up will have significant social, economic, and 

environmental impacts, including increasing Guam’s population by 40 percent in less than 10 years. 

The increased construction, housing, consumption, and recreation impacts associated with this 

expansion will directly and indirectly impact Guam’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems. In a proactive 

effort to address these issues, the Governor of Guam charged the Guam Coastal Management Program

to lead an environmental Task Force in partnership with the DoD to assess environmental impacts and 

identify mitigation solutions. In close coordination and partnership with the CNMI Coastal 

Management Program, the Guam Coastal Program is providing leadership on balancing military 

development needs and ecosystem functioning throughout the Mariana Islands. The vision is for these 

archipelago-wide planning efforts is to satisfy national defense priorities while maintaining local 

environmental health and services. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Challenges and Looking Forward 

The past biennium continued to reveal myriad challenges for OCRM and the many partners in the 

coastal zone. Consistently, states and territories noted that development pressures were a leading 

challenge. Coordinating responses to adequately address development issues is complex, particularly 

when multiple jurisdictions must be consulted. Another related and frequently cited challenge was 

how to best handle energy development needs. As technology increases the ability to harness energy 

from new sources increases, so do the number of permits to test these new technologies in the coastal 

zone, e.g., wind power, ocean thermal energy conversion projects, liquefied natural gas facilities, 

wave energy projects, etc. Personnel time is often limited and, in some cases, there is not adequate 

expertise. As such, new and expanding resources will be required to meet the demand for these types 

of projects in the future. 

In an effort to address the changing scope of coastal management, OCRM took on a significant initiative 

in 2006-2007: Envisioning the Future of Coastal Management. This endeavor solicited new ideas and 

approaches for updating the ways in which we manage our oceans and coasts by asking the following 

questions: How are state mangers’ concerns about development and climate change impacts adressed? 

Are there ways to adequately streamline permitting and other consultation processes? OCRM spoke to 

hundreds of people nationwide about their issues, which will inform our efforts to reauthorize the 

Coastal Zone Management Act. The section Envisioning the Future of Coastal Management offers more 

in-depth information on this initiative. 

Aside from legislative changes, OCRM recognizes that it is important to support programs and 

partnerships to address the concerns of coastal resource managers. The Cooperative Institute for 

Estuarine and Environmental Technology (CICEET), a unique partnership with the University of New 

Hampshire, has historically provided managers with innovative tools and solutions to address growing 

problems, such as coastal development. Continuing this applied research link will be important to the 

success of coastal management. In addition, the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program 

(CELCP) provides managers with a tool to conserve and preserve coastal lands. The program allows 

states to purchase tracts of lands that can provide economic, social, or environmental benefits. Thus, 

this program offers a mechanism for managers to address coastal development issues. 

 

Envisioning the Future of Coastal Management 

In FY 06, OCRM, in partnership with the Coastal States Organization (CSO), launched an initiative to 

envision the future of coastal zone management. By discussing coastal management issues and 

brainstorming solutions with a diverse set of stakeholders, OCRM sought to develop a suite of core 

principles that would guide the reauthorization of the CZMA. 

This ambitious three-phase process began with a joint OCRM-CSO discussion paper identifying issues, 

constraints, and opportunities under the current coastal management system. The document, released 

in September 2006, identified topics and questions to be examined in subsequent phases. 

During Phase II, interviews were conducted with state coastal program managers, estuarine research 

reserve managers, and other state-level officials to ascertain their perspectives on current and 

emerging coastal management priorities. Recommendations were also gathered on how coastal 

management might be improved. 

In Phase III, OCRM and CSO convened five large-scale stakeholder workshops around the nation to 

gather ideas about priority challenges for coastal management along with suggestions for improving the 

CZMA and the National Coastal Management Program. To assist with process design and meeting 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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facilitation of the Phase III meetings and workshops, a consulting firm specializing in stakeholder 

involvement was hired. 

A careful examination of all contributions from stakeholders around the country and throughout 

government (federal, state, and local) resulted in the four cornerstones of an improved Coastal Zone 

Management Act: 

 The CZMA should ensure the long term sustainability of coastal resources and communities; 

 The CZMA should be goal-driven and results-oriented; 

 The CZMA should coordinate and align federal, state, and local governments to address issues 

of national importance; and 

 The National Coastal Management Program should remain a voluntary partnership between the 

Federal Government and the states in which each bears responsibilities for achieving program 

goals. 

The results of Phase III were published in a final report, Envisioning Our Coastal Future, in October 

2007. This report, along with Phase I and Phase II documentation are available online: 

www.coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/czm/czma_vision.html. 

The four cornerstones outlined here, coupled with the core principles and feedback received 

throughout the process, will guide NOAA through the reauthorization of the Coastal Zone Management 

Act. The charge is clear—to put forth a new Act that will set the course toward sustainable, thriving 

coastal communities. OCRM is well on its way to achieving this end and look forward to reporting on 

the new legislation in our next biennial report. 

The Coastal Estuarine Land Conservation Program 

 

The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program, established in FY 02 as a companion to the 

Coastal Zone Management Act (See Appendix C), has matured and transitioned during FY 06-07 from an 

earmark program to a competitive program. In FY 06, Congress directed NOAA to develop a 

competitively-ranked list of projects for funding in FY 07 and again in FY 08. All projects supported 

with FY 07 funds were selected through a national competitive merit-review process. Eighteen 

projects from the 2007 competitively-ranked list received funding. These projects are located in 

California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North and 

South Carolina Ohio, and Oregon. 

 

Throughout the Coastal Management Visioning process, coastal managers and stakeholders cited the 

need for protecting key coastal habitats, including lands that buffer the impacts of coastal storms. The 

CELCP will remain an important complement to the CZMA and will support protection of priority lands 

identified by state coastal programs. 

In addition to the CZMA, NOAA has other statutory responsibilities that place priority on natural 

shorelines and other essential habitat for fish, threatened and endangered species, and other species 

at risk, as well as lands that help protect coral reefs. The CELCP contributes directly toward NOAA’s 

success in protecting theses types of habitats long-term. 

To date, the CELCP has protected more than 30,000 acres, including more than 11,000 acres for 

acquisitions that were completed in FY 06 and FY 07. The number will continue to grow as the 60+ ongoing projects come to closing. 

NOAA is also working with coastal states to complete strategic land conservation plans for coastal 

areas. Many states are using the CELCP plan as an opportunity to integrate existing plans that may 

have been developed for a single purpose or geographic area. CELCP plans are identifying state’s 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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priority conservation needs and the geographic areas that address those needs. In FY 07, NOAA 

approved the State of Washington’s plan, which focuses on protecting high quality, ecologically 

significant wetlands, shorelines and adjacent upland. NOAA also approved the State of New York’s 

plan, which among its priorities, focuses on coastal hazard areas and significant coastal fish and 

wildlife habitat. 

 

After five years implementing the program, NOAA plans to update CELCP guidelines in FY 08. The 

revision will be done in consultation with coastal states and other interested parties, and will take into 

consideration changes proposed within pending authorization bills for the program. 

 

Interest in this program continues to grow, as do its successes. OCRM looks forward to completing more 

cycles of competitively-selected projects in the coming years. Making CELCP officially part of the 

CZMA through the reauthorization process will ensure that the legacy of sustainable coastal 

conservation in cooperation with state and local governments and willing landowners will continue. 

The Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental 

Technology Addressing Important Coastal and Estuarine Issues 

The Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) is a partnership 

between NOAA’s OCRM and the University of New Hampshire. The institute is a national leader in 

transforming the best available science into practical, innovative tools for coastal managers. CICEET 

and its colleagues nationwide develop and demonstrate cutting edge technologies and methods to aid 

managers in addressing priority challenges such as coastal pollution and habitat degradation. 

Since its inception in 1997, CICEET has been a valued resource for the coastal management community, 

and is an integral part of OCRM’s vision for the future. CICEET-supported research and technology 

development, funded by OCRM, has greatly advanced the technological capabilities of coastal 

management. In addition, CICEET’s long-standing relationship with coastal managers has led to a highly 

focused, strategic approach to developing—and delivering—the technology and know-how needed to 

address coastal environmental challenges. CICEET bridges academia, government, private industry, 

and NGOs to analyze coastal resource managers’ technology needs. This careful analysis, forms the 

basis of highly collaborative, end user–driven funding opportunity programs through which CICEET 

develops practical tools for coastal managers. These tools are made available through outreach, 

demonstration, training, and an evolving technology utilization program. 

The following stories illustrate how CICEET is working around the country to meet the technology needs 

of coastal managers. 

Stormwater Center 

The CICEET-sponsored University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center (UNHSC) completed its third 

year of operation. The only one of its kind, the center provides independent, third party evaluation on 

the ability of stormwater treatment systems to remove pollution from stormwater and manage the 

quantity of runoff. For example, researchers at the center found that porous asphalt is a durable, 

effective tool for stormwater management, and its use could reduce the need for road salt in winter 

conditions by more than 75 percent. With support from CICEET, the center is expanding its outreach 

program to collaborate with NOAA’s Coastal Services Center and the NERRS Coastal Training Program to 

develop a stormwater training based on UNHSC data that will be available nationwide in 2008. In a 

time when water resources are becoming increasingly scarce, and nonpoint pollution carried by 

stormwater is the single greatest threat to water quality nationwide, the center’s work is especially 

critical. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Treating Polluted Water 

With support from CICEET, scientists at Louisiana State developed a vertical-flow constructed wetland 

treatment that encourages the growth of anaerobic bacteria that break down chlorinated, toxic 

compounds into harmless byproducts. This natural, energy efficient way to clean up polluted 

groundwater is currently being employed in North Carolina, and has received significant interest from 

managers in other states. 

Real-time Water Quality Data 

The CICEET-sponsored Remote Access Satellite Sensor Link (RASSL), developed by a Maryland-based 

company, is an affordable, data communications system that provides real-time communication with 

water-quality sensor platforms in the field. Such timely water quality data is critical to coastal 

management efforts such as managing shellfish beds. The unit is field-ready, commercially available, 

and in use at National Estuarine Research Reserves in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Hampshire, 

South Carolina, and Virginia. 

Seafloor Mapping and Monitoring Habitat Change 

CICEET sponsored the development of an integrated remote sensing and multibeam sonar modeling 

system. This system, developed by a California State University scientist, is an innovative solution to 

the challenge of mapping seafloor and monitoring habitat change in turbulent and shallow tidal waters. 

The tool has been used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Marine Sanctuary Program, 

California Coastal Conservancy, National Science Foundation, and the USGS in the following California 

locations: San Francisco, San Pablo Bay, Monterey Submarine Canyon, Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Bay 

National Marine Sanctuary, and the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. 

In step with OCRM’s future vision, CICEET entered its 10th year (2007) with a new strategic plan to 

focus its resources on activities with the greatest potential for impact in a time of escalating coastal 

development and climate change. This plan is helping CICEET address those issues that most impact 

human communities and ecosystems, such as land-use change, habitat degradation, and nonpoint 

source pollution. Each of these issues is relevant to the core work we do within OCRM. As such, 

continuing our partnership with CICEET is important to our collective success. By codifying this 

institute in legislation, we can continue paving the way for innovative solutions to the nation’s everchanging management challenges. 

Where do we go from here? 

The growing interest in coastal management and increased recognition of the accomplishments of the 

coastal management programs, research reserves, CELCP, and CICEET, coupled with widespread 

support for a new Coastal Zone Management Act make for a powerful and positive outlook for the 

future of OCRM. With increasing attention on ways that coastal management can address climate 

change impacts, OCRM is poised to play an ever more important role in the management of our nation’s 

ocean and coastal resources. The future holds significant challenges for balancing coastal development 

and conservation. Yet, we are eager to face those challenges and to continue our role as champions of 

our coasts. OCRM looks forward to developing and implementing sustainable solutions in concert with 

our federal and state partners. And, OCRM welcomes the opportunity to continue leading the nation’s 

efforts to manage and conserve ocean and coastal resources for decades to come. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Appendix A: Federal Consistency 

Major federal consistency actions in 2006-2007 

Rule Changes 

Rule changes including modified provisions originally proposed in 

2003 in response to the 2001 Report of the National Energy Policy 

Development Group and amendments to the Coastal Zone 

Management Act in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. (71 Fed. Reg. 787-

831 (January 5, 2006)) 

Additional changes to the federal consistency regulations in the 

nature of technical corrections. (71 Fed. Reg. 75864-75865 

(December 19, 2006)) 

Major Consistency Appeals 

Weavers Cove LLC/Mill River Pipeline appeals of objection by the 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts to dredging associated with the 

construction of a LNG storage and transfer facility at Fall River, MA. 

(pending) 

AES appeal of objection by the State of Maryland to the construction 

of a LNG storage and transfer facility at Sparrows Point, MD. 

(pending) 

Unlisted Activity Requests 

Review by the California Coastal Commission of NMFS issuance of a 

long-line fishery permit (request granted). 

Review by the State of New Jersey of Deepwater Port Act license for 

a liquid natural gas facility (request denied for failure to meet 

timeframe requirements). 

Interstate Consistency 

Review Authority 

New York request to review activities in Connecticut in Long island 

Sound (granted) 

Connecticut request to review activities in New York (Long Island 

Sound) and Rhode Island (Fishers Sound) (granted). 

Pennsylvania request to review activities within a specified area 

along the Ohio shoreline relating to the littoral drift of sediment 

(granted). 

New Jersey request to review dredging and dredged disposal 

activities within the Pennsylvania and Delaware portions of the 

Delaware River (granted October 15, 2007). 

Consistency Website See 

http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/consistency/welcome.html. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Appendix B: NOAA Coastal Program Integration Activities 

In FY 08, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed NOAA to make meaningful 

improvements in the strategic mission and management structure for its coastal and ocean programs, 

specifically Sea Grant, the Coastal Services Center (CSC), the National Centers for Coastal Ocean 

Science (NCCOS), and the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM). OMB asked 

NOAA to: pick 1-3 priorities for increased integration and strategic plan and budget analysis, and for 

which there would be measures to gauge performance; create a structure that would drive 

coordination yet not create a new unwieldy structure or bureaucracy; and capitalize on existing 

activities. More specifically, OMB and NOAA agreed that the following items would be provided by 

September 2007: 1) process improvements to facilitate and ensure increased integration on coastal 

activities among the offices, including near-term and longer-term actions; 2) an analysis of the offices’ 

strategic plans and budgets; 3) a final hazard resilient coastal communities logic model and budget 

analysis to guide the offices’ activities and investments, and measures to gauge progress toward 

meeting outcomes; 4) a draft coastal development logic model that we will finalize by October 2007. 

In response, OCRM, CSC, NCCOS, and Sea Grant formed an integration workgroup with representatives 

from each of the offices. The group did considerable work in terms of how to improve integration to 

address the issues and how to improve planning, budgeting, and execution processes to foster future 

integration. The final package was submitted to OMB in late September and included the following: 

 A final hazard resilient coastal communities logic model; 

 A draft land use/coastal development logic model; 

 An analysis of current and planned expenditures and strategic plans; 

 Recommendations for improvements to the integration process; and 

 Recommendations to institutionalize integration in the future. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Appendix C: Codification of the Coastal Estuarine Land Conservation 

Program 

 TITLE 16--CONSERVATION 

 

 CHAPTER 33--COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT 

 

Sec. 1456d. Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program 

 The Secretary shall establish a Coastal and Estuarine Land 

Conservation Program, for the purpose of protecting important coastal 

and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, 

ecological, historical, or aesthetic values, or that are threatened by 

conversion from their natural or recreational state to other uses: 

Provided further, That by September 30, 2002, the Secretary shall issue 

guidelines for this program delineating the criteria for grant awards: 

Provided further, That the Secretary shall distribute these funds in 

consultation with the States' Coastal Zone Managers' or Governors' 

designated representatives based on demonstrated need and ability to 

successfully leverage funds, and shall give priority to lands which can 

be effectively managed and protected and which have significant 

ecological value: Provided further, That grants funded under this 

program shall require a 100 percent match from other sources. 

(Pub. L. 107-77, title II, Nov. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 776.) 

 Codification 

 Section was enacted as part of the Department of Commerce and 

Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002, and also as part of the 

Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related 

Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002, and not as part of the Coastal Zone 

Management Act of 1972 which comprises this chapter. 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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Appendix D: State Agency Program Leads 

State or 

Territory Program Lead Agencies 

Alabama CMP& 

NERR Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 

CMP Alaska Department of Natural Resources Alaska 

NERR Alaska Department of Fish and Game 

American 

Samoa CMP American Samoa Department of Commerce 

CMP California Coastal Commission, San Francisco Bay Conservation and 

Development Commission, and California Coastal Conservancy California 

NERR 

Elkhorn Slough: California Department of Fish and Game 

San Francisco Bay: San Francisco State University 

Tijuana River: California Department of Parks and Recreation 

Connecticut CMP Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection 

Delaware CMP& NERR Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control 

Florida CMP& NERR Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Georgia CMP& NERR Georgia Department of Natural Resources 

Guam CMP Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans 

Hawai’i CMP Hawai’i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism 

Illinois CMP Illinois Department of Natural Resources 

Indiana CMP Indiana Department of Natural Resources 

Louisiana CMP Louisiana Department of Natural Resources 

CMP Maine State Planning Office Maine 

NERR Wells Reserve Management Authority 

Maryland CMP& NERR Maryland Department of Natural Resources 

CMP Executive Office of Environmental Affairs 

Massachusetts 

NERR Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation 

Michigan CMP Michigan Department of Environmental Quality 

Minnesota CMP Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 

Mississippi CMP& NERR Mississippi Department of Marine Resources 

CMP New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services New Hampshire 

NERR New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game 
NOAA’s Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management 

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CMP New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey 

Meadowlands Commission New Jersey 

NERR Rutgers University, Institute of Marine and Costal Services 

CMP New York State Department of State New York 

NERR New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 

North Carolina CMP& 

NERR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources 

Northern 

Marianas CMP Northern Marinas Coastal Resources Management Office 

Ohio CMP& NERR Ohio Department of Natural Resources 

CMP Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development Oregon 

NERR Oregon Department of State Lands 

Pennsylvania CMP Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 

Puerto Rico CMP& NERR 

 NERR Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources 

CMP Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council Rhode Island 

NERR Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 

CMP South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control 

South Carolina 

NERR 

Ace Basin: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 

North Inlet-Winyah Bay: University of South Carolina Branch Institute for 

Marine and Coastal Sciences 

CMP Texas General Land Office 

Texas 

NERR University of Texas 

CMP Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Virginia 

NERR Virginia Institute of Marine Science 

Virgin Islands CMP U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources 

Washington CMP & 

NERR Washington State Department of Ecology 

Wisconsin CMP Wisconsin Department of Administration, Bureau of Intergovernmental 

Relations