U.S. flag An official website of the United States government.
				Here's how you know we're official. **Official websites use .gov** A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure websites use HTTPS** A small lock or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to a .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Toggle navigation Toggle search National Ocean Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 Search
					Search National Ocean Service


Home
				Ocean Facts

				Topics
					Explore All Topics 
                        Arctic 
                        Careers 
                        Economy 
                        Ecosystems 
                        Geodesy 
                        Hazards 
                        International
                        Navigation 
                        Observations 
                        Ocean 
                        Recreation 
                         Sea Level Rise 
                        Story Maps 
                        Tools
                
                			Education

				
				News
				Podcasts
				Video
				Images
				About Us


1. Home
2. About
3. NOS Fiscal Year 2021: Year in Review
4. Office for Coastal Management

**Office for Coastal Management** NOS Fiscal Year 2021 Year in Review *NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management (OCM) works to keep the nation's coasts safe from storms, rich in natural resources, and economically strong. The office administers the National Coastal Zone Management Program, the Coral Reef Conservation Program, the Digital Coast, and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.*  Digital Coast Act Signed into Law **SUPPORTS NOS PRIORITIES:** SAFE AND EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION AND COMMERCE;  PREPAREDNESS AND RISK REDUCTION; STEWARDSHIP, RECREATION, AND TOURISM The Digital Coast Act was signed into law in December 2020, solidifying formal congressional support for the Digital Coast program. The Digital Coast is a constituent-led information platform that provides data, tools, and training to the nation’s coastal management community. The content originates from a variety of authoritative sources, but each piece is vetted by NOAA and provided in an easy-to-find, easy-to-use format to build resilience and inform solutions to complex coastal management challenges. The act paves the way for additional Digital Coast content, improved efforts to reach underserved audiences, and opportunities to strengthen the partnership- and constituent-based approach that represents the foundation of the Digital Coast Program. Graphic showing the NOAA logo with “Digital Coast’ written on it, and the words “data, training, information, and tools” circling the logo.*The Digital Coast Act was signed into law in December 2020, signifying formal congressional support for NOAA’s Digital Coast program.*  Statistics Show Economic Contributions of Marine Economy **SUPPORTS NOS PRIORITIES:** SAFE AND EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION AND COMMERCE; PREPAREDNESS AND RISK REDUCTION; STEWARDSHIP, RECREATION, AND TOURISM The nation's marine economy produced $665.7 billion in direct sales — a 5.1% increase over the previous year — and supported 2.4 million jobs in 2019. These statistics from NOAA and the Bureau of Economic Analysis can be found in the Marine Economy Satellite Account. The statistics show the economic contributions of marine-dependent businesses, offering national estimates for ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes-related economic activity by industry, as well as data that measures the marine economy as a percentage of the nation’s gross domestic product and total output. These statistics are the most comprehensive available, and provide baseline data for businesses and industries considering ocean-dependent investments.  Image showing statistics about America’s marine economy.*The Marine Economy Satellite Account, which measures the contributions to the U.S. economy of activities related to the nation’s oceans, seaports, and Great Lakes, demonstrates significant marine economy contributions.*  Identifying Actions to Advance Equity of NOS Products and Services **SUPPORTS NOS PRIORITY:** PREPAREDNESS AND RISK REDUCTION OCM developed a pilot service  equity assessment — one of only three in NOAA — with a focus on OCM’s coastal  resilience planning tool, the Sea Level Rise Viewer, and its associated data, tools,  and training. The pilot assessment aligns with the goals set forth in the Presidential Executive Order 13985 On Advancing  Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal  Government. The  assessment identified barriers underserved communities may face in using the tool and outlined recommendations for increasing service equity. OCM is working to reduce barriers that may exist within grant  procedures, technical assistance offerings, training opportunities, and  fellowship programs.  Screenshot of NOAA’s Sea Level Rise Viewer showing a building and map.*NOAA’s Sea Level Rise Viewer is a popular resilience planning tool on the Digital Coast website. OCM focused on this tool in its service equity assessment.*  NOAA Awards $34 Million to Build Coastal Resilience **SUPPORTS NOS PRIORITY:**  PREPAREDNESS AND RISK REDUCTION In March 2021, the National Fish and  Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with NOAA, announced a request for  proposals under the2021 National Coastal Resilience Fund. Congress appropriated up to $34  million to invest in projects that restore and strengthen natural systems,  which in turn lessens community flooding and enhances fish and wildlife  habitats. Now in its fourth year, this initiative  advances regionally  identified priorities and innovative approaches. In 2020, the fund provided $37  million in federal funds for 46 projects in 25 states and territories. The  total investment, including non-federal match and contributions from partners,  was more than $92 million.  Picture of grass, marsh, and water with a wooden sign that says “RESTORATION IN PROGRESS” in the foreground with mountains in the background.*Restoration of a fish and wildlife habitat — an example of the projects funded through the National Coastal Resilience Fund.*  NOAA Supports Resilient Infrastructure, Wind Energy Planning **SUPPORTS NOS PRIORITY:**  PREPAREDNESS AND RISK REDUCTION NOAA tools help coastal and ocean  professionals do their jobs, and OCM regularly engages with end users to update  and improve these products based on their needs. One example is the Adapting Stormwater Management for  Coastal Floods tool. More  frequent flooding, particularly on the coast, poses a unique and growing  challenge for stormwater management systems. To tackle this complex issue, OCM used  feedback to update the tool, which city planners and engineers use to calculate  water level thresholds where coastal stormwater infrastructure is impacted.  Users can also incorporate future sea level rise projections into these  calculations. The new version of the tool contains a more interactive,  scenario-driven “Analyze” section for this purpose, helping communities to plan  for and manage coastal flooding. To enhance the OceanReports mapping and planning tool, and to  meet a White House directive, OCM sought feedback from hundreds of ocean  industry and government regulators. Enhancements based on this feedback will help  with selecting locations for wind energy projects and other ocean industry and  climate science priorities in the coming years.  Screenshot of the OceanReports tool showing a map and ocean data.*Enhancements to the OceanReports tool (pictured here)  will help with selecting locations for wind energy projects and other ocean industry and climate science priorities.*  NOAA Holds Training Series for Resilience Funding, Finance **SUPPORTS NOS PRIORITY:** PREPAREDNESS AND RISK REDUCTION Over 100 professionals from  non-profits, coastal programs, and other agencies attended OCM’sFunding and Financing Coastal Resilience 101 virtual training. The first event  of this new series reached capacity almost immediately, with over 100 hopeful  attendees placed on the waitlist. Presenters offered tangible approaches, many  of which can be found in NOAA’s new quick reference, Funding and Financing: Options and Considerations  for Coastal Resilience Projects. NOAA partnered with the Conservation Finance Network and The  Conservation Fund to offer the training. In Fiscal Year 2021, over 3,000  coastal professionals built their knowledge and skills through OCM courses like  Funding and Financing Coastal Resilience 101.  NOAA Programs Produce Millions Annually in Economic Benefits **SUPPORTS NOS PRIORITIES:** PREPAREDNESS AND RISK REDUCTION; STEWARDSHIP, RECREATION, AND TOURISM Programs led by OCM provide  tangible economic value to coastal communities each year. A report from Resources for the Future concluded that the Digital Coast website offers “considerable demonstrated  value to the public across its variety of programs.” Among the various studies  performed to create the report, one focused on the use of OCM’s Sea Level Rise Viewer tool to support a decision to move  critical infrastructure from a high-risk situation. According to the study,  this one-time use yielded societal benefits of $1.1-2.2 million.  Another study estimates that Digital Coast training programs yield benefits of  up to $9.7 million annually. While the economic impacts of NOAA’s national estuarine  research reserves can be difficult to quantify, a recent pilot study found that just four of the 29  reserves collectively generate more  than $165 million in annual revenue, including $56.4 million in wages and at  least 1,762 jobs.  A kayaker kayaks through mangroves.*Recreational activities at NOAA’s national estuarine research reserves attract tourists and help generate millions of dollars and over one thousand jobs in communities throughout the U.S.*
 OCM **Highlights** Digital Coast Act Signed into Law Statistics Show Economic Contributions of Marine Economy Identifying Actions to Advance Equity of NOS Products and Services NOAA Awards $34 Million to Build Coastal Resilience NOAA Supports Resilient Infrastructure, Wind Energy Planning NOAA Holds Training Series for Resilience Funding, Finance NOAA Programs Produce Millions Annually in Economic Benefits
  NOS **Accomplishments** NOS by the Numbers 2021  Browse by Hurricane: General Hurricane Accomplishments Hurricane Ida  Browse by Office: Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services Coral Reef Conservation Program U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science National Geodetic Survey NOS Management and Budget NOS Information Management Office for Coastal Management Office of Coast Survey Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Office of Response and Restoration   **Search** Our facts    Get **Social** Social
  **Last updated:** 01/10/22 **Author:** NOAA How to cite this article Contact Us


Feedback Provide Feedback
							Contact Us
							Report an error
 Social Instagram Logo/a>


*Science. Service.Stewardship.*
 About NOS About Us
							NOS Program Offices
							Media Inquiries
							Website Acknowledgements
                            Site Index
							Disclaimer
 More Resources Freedom of Information Act
							Accessibility
							Information Quality
							Privacy Policy
							NOS For Employees
							USA.gov
 Department of Commerce
									National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
									National Ocean Service