In addition, the scientists have spelled out the analytical studies required to implement such a strategy and suggested several possible approaches to getting the process started. Public participation can play an important role in coastal management decisions. Researchers from the New York Sea Grant Institute assessed the importance of local context in a community-based water resources program aimed at the cleanup of the 42 most polluted locations on the Great Lakes Basin. Survey data enabled the researchers to pinpoint conditions that significantly affect the design and conduct of public involvement programs. Among these conditions are level of community awareness, state of the local economy, and strength of local leadership.
Rigorous evaluation is critical for ensuring the effectiveness of coastal management.
An interdisciplinary team from Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington Sea Grant programs has begun the first comprehensive assessment of the national Coastal Zone Management Program in its 24-year history. The project, conducted with support from NOAA s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, will evaluate the effectiveness of the 29 federally-approved state and territory CZM programs. The project focuses on the extent to which these programs have addressed the core objectives of the 1972 Coastal Zone Management Act, specifically, protection of natural resources, provision of public access to the coast, assistance in the development of coastal dependent uses, and simplification of procedures for coastal management decision-making. Return to the top of the document.