Program updates
States such as Washington that have Coastal Zone Management Programs must submit updates to their enforceable policies to the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These program changes include minor, non-substantial changes or significant changes to a program's structure, management, or rules. Most changes to Washington’s Coastal Zone Management Program have been minor, non-substantial updates.
We have submitted changes to our Coastal Zone Management Program to NOAA since 1986 and continue to make changes as laws and regulations are amended.
As we submit program changes, we issue public notices and provide information to interested parties. Current submittals pending approval by NOAA:
2018 Ocean Resource Management Act Notice of Program Change
Program framework
While the federal Coastal Zone Management Act includes basic requirements for state partners, the law gives states the flexibility they need to design programs that best address local challenges. To develop Washington's Coastal Zone Management Program, we relied on our existing regulatory framework to address coastal zone issues rather than draft new, all-encompassing state legislation.
While Washington does not have a stand-alone law for coastal zone management, the state relies on its network of state laws and regulations including:
Since the state has a federally-approved Coastal Zone Management Program, we are eligible for federal grants to augment the state’s management activities to preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, restore or enhance these resources now and for future generations.
An approved Coastal Zone Management Program also gives Washington a strong voice in federal agency decision making for activities that could affect the state’s coastal resources and uses. A state's review process for these federal action is known as Federal Consistency. It is a powerful tool for managing coastal activities and resources, and facilitates cooperation and coordination with federal agencies.
Generally, federal consistency requires that federal action within and outside the coastal zone that could have reasonably foreseeable impacts on land, water, and natural resources within the coastal zone be consistent with state's federally-approved Coastal Management Program. The type of federal action will determine whether a consistency determination or certification is required and what procedure must be followed to demonstrate consistency with Washington's Coastal Zone Management Program.