From nearshore habitats to open waters, Washington’s coastal state waters are shaped by dynamic natural processes and careful management that balances ecological health, community needs, and economic uses. Location: Offshore from Olympic Peninsula. Photo credit: Noah Linck.
Washington’s 3,026 miles of marine shoreline run the gamut. From wild, rugged beaches and isolated islands to mud-bottomed estuaries to urban shorelines in the bustling heart of Puget Sound.
Washington has reached a major milestone in protecting and managing the state’s critical “coastal zone” — the dynamic area where land and marine waters meet.
To manage, protect, and responsibly develop the state’s coastal zone, we administer Washington’s Coastal Zone Management Program. This year, the state’s coastal program turns 50.
Defining the coastal zone
Washington’s coastal zone encompasses all the marine shorelines on the Pacific Ocean coast as well as Puget Sound, Hood Canal and Strait of Juan de Fuca. It also includes all the lands and waters in 15 coastal counties as well as the submerged lands extending seaward to three nautical miles.
Roughly 4.7 million people — about 70% of the state’s population — live and work in Washington’s broad coastal zone. Tribal lands, U.S. military and defense installations, and federal lands within national parks, forests and recreation areas are excluded.
What is the Coastal Zone Management Program?
There are 34 coastal and Great Lakes states administering their own unique Coastal Zone Management Program. The framework for these programs was established by the 1972 Coastal Zone Management Act, a capstone federal environmental protection law.
We administer our state program in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and our program was the first in the nation to garner federal approval by NOAA in 1976.
It is designed to meet several interrelated goals:
- Support vibrant coastal communities
- Protect coastal ecosystems
- Build resilience to climate change
- Balance competing demands on marine and ocean resources
Our program is designed to protect Washington’s marine beaches, wetlands, estuaries and habitats. It also lays the foundation for managing activities occurring in the coastal zone including public access to marine shorelines for recreation, commercial activities at ports, fishing and aquaculture activities, energy exploration, and urban growth and development.
We work in partnership with coastal cities and counties, Tribes, state and federal agencies and the public to ensure development projects, coastal activities and other actions also meet state air and water quality standards, shoreline management regulations and ocean use statutes and planning policies.
A site visit brings together coastal planners and partners to observe active erosion and shoreline change, informing coastal hazard planning and public access management.
Where it all started
As we mark the 50th Anniversary of our Coastal Zone Management Program, it’s also an opportunity to reflect on its origins.
In the 1970s, Washington’s coast was under intense pressure from population growth, shoreline development, industrial activity and resource extraction. All these activities were increasing in scope, often with little or no coordination across different jurisdictions.
However, there was growing recognition the state’s estuaries, coastal wetlands, beaches and nearshore habitats were vital to Washington’s culture and heritage by providing critical habitat for fish and shellfish, controlling floods and offering an abundance of recreational opportunities.
When the U.S. Congress enacted the Coastal Zone Management Act in 1972 to address the importance and vulnerability of the nation’s coasts, they sought to “preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, to restore or enhance the resources of the nation’s coastal zone.
The act created a voluntary partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and coastal states, providing funding and guidance to help states manage their resources while supporting coastal communities and economies.
Washington was the first state to join this national program in 1976, establishing what we now call the Washington State Coastal Zone Management Program.
If we fast forward 50 years, Washington’s coast today looks both familiar and different. Our work administering the state’s coastal program has helped coastal communities plan for change, access funding and navigate complex coastal challenges. This includes:
- Providing funding and technical assistance to coastal communities, Tribes and other partners to build resilience to climate change and restore and protect coastal wetlands and other nearshore habitats.
- Supporting shoreline and coastal planning, including integrating sea level rise and coastal hazards into local decision making.
- Reviewing federal actions to ensure they meet state environmental protection standards and align with Washington’s coastal priorities.
Investing in data, science and other resources to help communities make informed decisions.
Stay tuned
In coming months, we’ll share more stories highlighting how the Coastal Zone Management Program protects, preserves and manages Washington’s coast and vital resources.