Coastal Zone Management Program evaluation

Upcoming program evaluation

The Washington CZM Program is currently working with NOAA's Office for Coastal Management to hold the next performance evaluation for Washington's program. 

Pursuant to the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, a public meeting in a hybrid format will be held as part of the federal performance evaluation of the Washington Coastal Management Program. The meeting will be held from 5-6 p.m. PT on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Register at Public Meeting for NOAA's Evaluation of the Washington Coastal Program. Please register by Tuesday, April 28, at 6 p.m. PT. While advance registration is requested, registration will remain open until the meeting closes. In-person participation will be at the Washington Department of Ecology, 300 Desmond Dr. SE Lacey, Washington in the Auditorium room. There is free guest parking outside the front entrance on the north side of the building. Guests will need to check in at the front desk and go downstairs to the auditorium. There is no ID requirement to enter the building. Attendees are encouraged to arrive between 4:45 to 5 p.m. to check in.

The purpose of the meeting is to receive public comments regarding the operation and implementation of the Washington Coastal Management Program. Written comments are encouraged, and participation at the public meeting is not required for submission. Written comments should be emailed to czma.evaluations@noaa.gov no later than Friday, May 8, 2026. Include “Comments on Performance Evaluation of the Washington Coastal Management Program in the subject line.

More information is available on NOAA's program evaluation webpage.

Program evaluation process

The evaluation process requires almost a year of preparation and planning. The Coastal Zone Management Program works with NOAA to complete a number of steps highlighting our program's success as well as improvement opportunities, including:

• NOAA review of performance period grant documentation.
• Coastal Zone Management Program self-assessment.
• Collection of information from partners and stakeholders.
• Interviews and meetings during a three-day site visit.
• A public meeting.

The process concludes with formal findings used to guide program improvements for the next five years. During this process stage, we will work with NOAA to shape recommended and necessary Coastal Zone Management Program actions. We also develop a work plan describing how Washington and our federal partner will work collaboratively to address these mutual objectives. 

We completed our last Coastal Zone Management Program evaluation in 2017. Please visit NOAA's Office for Coastal Management website for the final evaluation findings.