Washington Coastal Zone Management Program & policies

The federal Coastal Zone Management Act gives states the primary role in managing their coastal zone. In 1976, Washington was the first state to receive federal approval of a Coastal Zone Management Program by preparing a document describing coastal resources and how they are managed.

Program updates

States such as Washington that have Coastal Zone Management Programs must submit updates to their enforceable policies to 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've 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. This state review, known as federal consistency, helps ensure proposed projects are consistent with the state’s Coastal Zone Management Program.

Coastal zone management federal consistency review

The federal Coastal Zone Management Act authorizes states with approved Coastal Zone Management Programs including Washington to review federal activities proposed in a state’s coastal zone. A state’s review process for these federal actions is known as "federal consistency." It is a powerful tool for managing coastal activities and resources, and facilitate cooperation and coordination with federal agencies.

Generally, federal consistency requires that federal actions 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 a state's federally-approved Coastal Management Program. The type of federal action will determine whether a consistency determination or certification is required and what procedures must be followed to demonstrate consistency with Washington’s Coastal Zone Management Program.

Policies used for federal consistency review

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) describes "enforceable policies" as state laws and regulations containing standards specific enough to help an applicant determine what must be followed when undertaking a project or development in the coastal zone.

States must submit their coastal zone management policies to NOAA, who determines whether or not to approve a state's policies as part of a state’s Coastal Zone Management Program. Washington was the first state in the nation to receive federal approval for its Coastal Zone Management Program.

In Washington, only certain state laws and regulations are considered enforceable policies. Since NOAA has approved our policies, we can apply them to certain projects to ensure compliance with our Coastal Zone Management Program and fulfill federal Coastal Zone Management Act priorities.

Washington’s Coastal Zone Management Program includes enforceable policies within the following state authorities:

State Shoreline Management Act (NOAA approval: February 2016)

State Water Pollution Control Act (NOAA approval: March 2017)

Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

Washington State Clean Air Act (NOAA approval: November 2017)

Washington Administrative Code (WAC) (especially WAC 173.400 through 173.495)

State Ocean Resources Management Act (NOAA approval 2001)

Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 173-26 Part IV: Ocean Use Guidelines

Our program is currently in the process of updating our enforceable policies. Please contact us for the current list and guidance.

Contact information

Bobbak Talebi
Coastal Planner
Bobbak.Talebi@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6529