This information includes a section on general consistency requirements . The objective is to ensure that federal agencies and applicants for federal approvals and funding adequately consider and comply with state CMPs. The key to effective and efficient consistency actions is early coordination and regular consultation between CMPs, federal agencies, and applicants. It is an important mandatory, but flexible, mechanism to avoid potential conflicts between states, territories and federal agencies.
Federal consistency is more than just a procedural dictate.
It is a method of ensuring greater protection of coastal uses and resources through the coastal management policies of states and territories by assisting states in managing such uses and resources. After working with state CMPs and making any appropriate changes to the proposed action, federal agencies and applicants provide a consistency statement to the CMP, along with supporting information. Federal consistency reviews are the responsibility of the lead state CMP agency. At the federal level, OCRM works to maximize the effective use of consistency by CMPs, federal agencies, and applicants. In addition, the NOAA Office of General Counsel for Ocean Services processes appeals to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.