1. U.S. Code
  2. title 16
  3. chapter 33
  4. § 1453

Collapse to view only § 1453. Definitions

§ 1451. Congressional findings
The Congress finds that—
(a) There is a national interest in the effective management, beneficial use, protection, and development of the coastal zone.
(b) The coastal zone is rich in a variety of natural, commercial, recreational, ecological, industrial, and esthetic resources of immediate and potential value to the present and future well-being of the Nation.
(c) The increasing and competing demands upon the lands and waters of our coastal zone occasioned by population growth and economic development, including requirements for industry, commerce, residential development, recreation, extraction of mineral resources and fossil fuels, transportation and navigation, waste disposal, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, and other living marine resources, have resulted in the loss of living marine resources, wildlife, nutrient-rich areas, permanent and adverse changes to ecological systems, decreasing open space for public use, and shoreline erosion.
(d) The habitat areas of the coastal zone, and the fish, shellfish, other living marine resources, and wildlife therein, are ecologically fragile and consequently extremely vulnerable to destruction by man’s alterations.
(e) Important ecological, cultural, historic, and esthetic values in the coastal zone which are essential to the well-being of all citizens are being irretrievably damaged or lost.
(f) New and expanding demands for food, energy, minerals, defense needs, recreation, waste disposal, transportation, and industrial activities in the Great Lakes, territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, and Outer Continental Shelf are placing stress on these areas and are creating the need for resolution of serious conflicts among important and competing uses and values in coastal and ocean waters; 1
1 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a period.
(g) Special natural and scenic characteristics are being damaged by ill-planned development that threatens these values.
(h) In light of competing demands and the urgent need to protect and to give high priority to natural systems in the coastal zone, present state and local institutional arrangements for planning and regulating land and water uses in such areas are inadequate.
(i) The key to more effective protection and use of the land and water resources of the coastal zone is to encourage the states to exercise their full authority over the lands and waters in the coastal zone by assisting the states, in cooperation with Federal and local governments and other vitally affected interests, in developing land and water use programs for the coastal zone, including unified policies, criteria, standards, methods, and processes for dealing with land and water use decisions of more than local significance.
(j) The national objective of attaining a greater degree of energy self-sufficiency would be advanced by providing Federal financial assistance to meet state and local needs resulting from new or expanded energy activity in or affecting the coastal zone.
(k) Land uses in the coastal zone, and the uses of adjacent lands which drain into the coastal zone, may significantly affect the quality of coastal waters and habitats, and efforts to control coastal water pollution from land use activities must be improved.
(l) Because global warming may result in a substantial sea level rise with serious adverse effects in the coastal zone, coastal states must anticipate and plan for such an occurrence.
(m) Because of their proximity to and reliance upon the ocean and its resources, the coastal states have substantial and significant interests in the protection, management, and development of the resources of the exclusive economic zone that can only be served by the active participation of coastal states in all Federal programs affecting such resources and, wherever appropriate, by the development of state ocean resource plans as part of their federally approved coastal zone management programs.
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 302, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1280; amended Pub. L. 94–370, § 2, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1013; Pub. L. 96–464, § 2, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2060; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6203(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–300.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1451

§ 1452. Congressional declaration of policyThe Congress finds and declares that it is the national policy—
(1) to preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, to restore or enhance, the resources of the Nation’s coastal zone for this and succeeding generations;
(2) to encourage and assist the states to exercise effectively their responsibilities in the coastal zone through the development and implementation of management programs to achieve wise use of the land and water resources of the coastal zone, giving full consideration to ecological, cultural, historic, and esthetic values as well as the needs for compatible economic development, which programs should at least provide for—
(A) the protection of natural resources, including wetlands, flood plains, estuaries, beaches, dunes, barrier islands, coral reefs, and fish and wildlife and their habitat, within the coastal zone,
(B) the management of coastal development to minimize the loss of life and property caused by improper development in flood-prone, storm surge, geological hazard, and erosion-prone areas and in areas likely to be affected by or vulnerable to sea level rise, land subsidence, and saltwater intrusion, and by the destruction of natural protective features such as beaches, dunes, wetlands, and barrier islands.1
1 So in original. The period probably should be a comma.
(C) the management of coastal development to improve, safeguard, and restore the quality of coastal waters, and to protect natural resources and existing uses of those waters,
(D) priority consideration being given to coastal-dependent uses and orderly processes for siting major facilities related to national defense, energy, fisheries development, recreation, ports and transportation, and the location, to the maximum extent practicable, of new commercial and industrial developments in or adjacent to areas where such development already exists,
(E) public access to the coasts for recreation purposes,
(F) assistance in the redevelopment of deteriorating urban waterfronts and ports, and sensitive preservation and restoration of historic, cultural, and esthetic coastal features,
(G) the coordination and simplification of procedures in order to ensure expedited governmental decisionmaking for the management of coastal resources,
(H) continued consultation and coordination with, and the giving of adequate consideration to the views of, affected Federal agencies,
(I) the giving of timely and effective notification of, and opportunities for public and local government participation in, coastal management decisionmaking,
(J) assistance to support comprehensive planning, conservation, and management for living marine resources, including planning for the siting of pollution control and aquaculture facilities within the coastal zone, and improved coordination between State and Federal coastal zone management agencies and State and wildlife agencies, and
(K) the study and development, in any case in which the Secretary considers it to be appropriate, of plans for addressing the adverse effects upon the coastal zone of land subsidence and of sea level rise; and
(3) to encourage the preparation of special area management plans which provide for increased specificity in protecting significant natural resources, reasonable coastal-dependent economic growth, improved protection of life and property in hazardous areas, including those areas likely to be affected by land subsidence, sea level rise, or fluctuating water levels of the Great Lakes, and improved predictability in governmental decisionmaking;
(4) to encourage the participation and cooperation of the public, state and local governments, and interstate and other regional agencies, as well as of the Federal agencies having programs affecting the coastal zone, in carrying out the purposes of this chapter;
(5) to encourage coordination and cooperation with and among the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and international organizations where appropriate, in collection, analysis, synthesis, and dissemination of coastal management information, research results, and technical assistance, to support State and Federal regulation of land use practices affecting the coastal and ocean resources of the United States; and
(6) to respond to changing circumstances affecting the coastal environment and coastal resource management by encouraging States to consider such issues as ocean uses potentially affecting the coastal zone.
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 303, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1281; amended Pub. L. 96–464, § 3, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2060; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6203(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–301; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(2), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5050.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1452

§ 1453. DefinitionsFor purposes of this chapter—
(1) The term “coastal zone” means the coastal waters (including the lands therein and thereunder) and the adjacent shorelands (including the waters therein and thereunder), strongly influenced by each other and in proximity to the shorelines of the several coastal states, and includes islands, transitional and intertidal areas, salt marshes, wetlands, and beaches. The zone extends, in Great Lakes waters, to the international boundary between the United States and Canada and, in other areas, seaward to the outer limit of State title and ownership under the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.), the Act of March 2, 1917 (48 U.S.C. 749) [48 U.S.C. 731 et seq.], the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, as approved by the Act of March 24, 1976 [48 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.], or section 1 of the Act of November 20, 1963 (48 U.S.C. 1705), as applicable. The zone extends inland from the shorelines only to the extent necessary to control shorelands, the uses of which have a direct and significant impact on the coastal waters, and to control those geographical areas which are likely to be affected by or vulnerable to sea level rise. Excluded from the coastal zone are lands the use of which is by law subject solely to the discretion of or which is held in trust by the Federal Government, its officers or agents.
(2) The term “coastal resource of national significance” means any coastal wetland, beach, dune, barrier island, reef, estuary, or fish and wildlife habitat, if any such area is determined by a coastal state to be of substantial biological or natural storm protective value.
(3) The term “coastal waters” means (A) in the Great Lakes area, the waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States consisting of the Great Lakes, their connecting waters, harbors, roadsteads, and estuary-type areas such as bays, shallows, and marshes and (B) in other areas, those waters, adjacent to the shorelines, which contain a measurable quantity or percentage of sea water, including, but not limited to, sounds, bays, lagoons, bayous, ponds, and estuaries.
(4) The term “coastal state” means a state of the United States in, or bordering on, the Atlantic, Pacific, or Arctic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, Long Island Sound, or one or more of the Great Lakes. For the purposes of this chapter, the term also includes Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, and American Samoa.
(5) The term “coastal energy activity” means any of the following activities if, and to the extent that (A) the conduct, support, or facilitation of such activity requires and involves the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of any equipment or facility; and (B) any technical requirement exists which, in the determination of the Secretary, necessitates that the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of such equipment or facility be carried out in, or in close proximity to, the coastal zone of any coastal state; 1
1 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a colon.
(i) Any outer Continental Shelf energy activity.
(ii) Any transportation, conversion, treatment, transfer, or storage of liquefied natural gas.
(iii) Any transportation, transfer, or storage of oil, natural gas, or coal (including, but not limited to, by means of any deepwater port, as defined in section 1502(10) 2
2 See References in Text note below.
of title 33).
For purposes of this paragraph, the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of any equipment or facility shall be “in close proximity to” the coastal zone of any coastal state if such siting, construction, expansion, or operation has, or is likely to have, a significant effect on such coastal zone.
(6) The term “energy facilities” means any equipment or facility which is or will be used primarily—
(A) in the exploration for, or the development, production, conversion, storage, transfer, processing, or transportation of, any energy resource; or
(B) for the manufacture, production, or assembly of equipment, machinery, products, or devices which are involved in any activity described in subparagraph (A).
The term includes, but is not limited to (i) electric generating plants; (ii) petroleum refineries and associated facilities; (iii) gasification plants; (iv) facilities used for the transportation, conversion, treatment, transfer, or storage of liquefied natural gas; (v) uranium enrichment or nuclear fuel processing facilities; (vi) oil and gas facilities, including platforms, assembly plants, storage depots, tank farms, crew and supply bases, and refining complexes; (vii) facilities including deepwater ports, for the transfer of petroleum; (viii) pipelines and transmission facilities; and (ix) terminals which are associated with any of the foregoing.
(6a) The term “enforceable policy” means State policies which are legally binding through constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, land use plans, ordinances, or judicial or administrative decisions, by which a State exerts control over private and public land and water uses and natural resources in the coastal zone.
(7) The term “estuary” means that part of a river or stream or other body of water having unimpaired connection with the open sea, where the sea water is measurably diluted with fresh water derived from land drainage. The term includes estuary-type areas of the Great Lakes.
(8) The term “estuarine sanctuary” means a research area which may include any part or all of an estuary and any island, transitional area, and upland in, adjoining, or adjacent to such estuary, and which constitutes to the extent feasible a natural unit, set aside to provide scientists and students the opportunity to examine over a period of time the ecological relationships within the area.
(9) The term “Fund” means the Coastal Zone Management Fund established under section 1456a(b) of this title.
(10) The term “land use” means activities which are conducted in, or on the shorelands within, the coastal zone, subject to the requirements outlined in section 1456(g) of this title.
(11) The term “local government” means any political subdivision of, or any special entity created by, any coastal state which (in whole or part) is located in, or has authority over, such state’s coastal zone and which (A) has authority to levy taxes, or to establish and collect user fees, or (B) provides any public facility or public service which is financed in whole or part by taxes or user fees. The term includes, but is not limited to, any school district, fire district, transportation authority, and any other special purpose district or authority.
(12) The term “management program” includes, but is not limited to, a comprehensive statement in words, maps, illustrations, or other media of communication, prepared and adopted by the state in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, setting forth objectives, policies, and standards to guide public and private uses of lands and waters in the coastal zone.
(13) The term “outer Continental Shelf energy activity” means any exploration for, or any development or production of, oil or natural gas from the outer Continental Shelf (as defined in section 1331(a) of title 43) or the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of any new or expanded energy facilities directly required by such exploration, development, or production.
(14) The term “person” means any individual; any corporation, partnership, association, or other entity organized or existing under the laws of any state; the Federal Government; any state, regional, or local government; or any entity of any such Federal, state, regional, or local government.
(15) The term “public facilities and public services” means facilities or services which are financed, in whole or in part, by any state or political subdivision thereof, including, but not limited to, highways and secondary roads, parking, mass transit, docks, navigation aids, fire and police protection, water supply, waste collection and treatment (including drainage), schools and education, and hospitals and health care. Such term may also include any other facility or service so financed which the Secretary finds will support increased population.
(16) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Commerce.
(17) The term “special area management plan” means a comprehensive plan providing for natural resource protection and reasonable coastal-dependent economic growth containing a detailed and comprehensive statement of policies; standards and criteria to guide public and private uses of lands and waters; and mechanisms for timely implementation in specific geographic areas within the coastal zone.
(18) The term “water use” means a use, activity, or project conducted in or on waters within the coastal zone.
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 304, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1281; amended Pub. L. 94–370, § 3, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1013; Pub. L. 96–464, § 4, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2061; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6204, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–302; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(3)–(7), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5050, 5051.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1453

§ 1454. Submittal of State program for approval

Any coastal state which has completed the development of its management program shall submit such program to the Secretary for review and approval pursuant to section 1455 of this title.

(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 305, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1282; amended Pub. L. 93–612, § 1(1), Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1974; Pub. L. 94–370, § 4, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1015; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6205, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–302; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(1)(A), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5050; Pub. L. 104–150, § 2(a), (b)(1), June 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 1380.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1454

§ 1455. Administrative grants
(a) Authorization; matching fundsThe Secretary may make grants to any coastal state for the purpose of administering that State’s management program, if the State matches any such grant according to the following ratios of Federal-to-State contributions for the applicable fiscal year:
(1) For those States for which programs were approved prior to November 5, 1990, 1 to 1 for any fiscal year.
(2) For programs approved after November 5, 1990, 4 to 1 for the first fiscal year, 2.3 to 1 for the second fiscal year, 1.5 to 1 for the third fiscal year, and 1 to 1 for each fiscal year thereafter.
(b) Grants to coastal states; requirements
(c) Allocation of grants to coastal states
(d) Mandatory adoption of State management program for coastal zoneBefore approving a management program submitted by a coastal state, the Secretary shall find the following:
(1) The State has developed and adopted a management program for its coastal zone in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary, after notice, and with the opportunity of full participation by relevant Federal agencies, State agencies, local governments, regional organizations, port authorities, and other interested parties and individuals, public and private, which is adequate to carry out the purposes of this chapter and is consistent with the policy declared in section 1452 of this title.
(2) The management program includes each of the following required program elements:
(A) An identification of the boundaries of the coastal zone subject to the management program.
(B) A definition of what shall constitute permissible land uses and water uses within the coastal zone which have a direct and significant impact on the coastal waters.
(C) An inventory and designation of areas of particular concern within the coastal zone.
(D) An identification of the means by which the State proposes to exert control over the land uses and water uses referred to in subparagraph (B), including a list of relevant State constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, and judicial decisions.
(E) Broad guidelines on priorities of uses in particular areas, including specifically those uses of lowest priority.
(F) A description of the organizational structure proposed to implement such management program, including the responsibilities and interrelationships of local, areawide, State, regional, and interstate agencies in the management process.
(G) A definition of the term “beach” and a planning process for the protection of, and access to, public beaches and other public coastal areas of environmental, recreational, historical, esthetic, ecological, or cultural value.
(H) A planning process for energy facilities likely to be located in, or which may significantly affect, the coastal zone, including a process for anticipating the management of the impacts resulting from such facilities.
(I) A planning process for assessing the effects of, and studying and evaluating ways to control, or lessen the impact of, shoreline erosion, and to restore areas adversely affected by such erosion.
(3) The State has—
(A) coordinated its program with local, areawide, and interstate plans applicable to areas within the coastal zone—
(i) existing on January 1 of the year in which the State’s management program is submitted to the Secretary; and
(ii) which have been developed by a local government, an areawide agency, a regional agency, or an interstate agency; and
(B) established an effective mechanism for continuing consultation and coordination between the management agency designated pursuant to paragraph (6) and with local governments, interstate agencies, regional agencies, and areawide agencies within the coastal zone to assure the full participation of those local governments and agencies in carrying out the purposes of this chapter; except that the Secretary shall not find any mechanism to be effective for purposes of this subparagraph unless it requires that—
(i) the management agency, before implementing any management program decision which would conflict with any local zoning ordinance, decision, or other action, shall send a notice of the management program decision to any local government whose zoning authority is affected;
(ii) within the 30-day period commencing on the date of receipt of that notice, the local government may submit to the management agency written comments on the management program decision, and any recommendation for alternatives; and
(iii) the management agency, if any comments are submitted to it within the 30-day period by any local government—(I) shall consider the comments;(II) may, in its discretion, hold a public hearing on the comments; and(III) may not take any action within the 30-day period to implement the management program decision.
(4) The State has held public hearings in the development of the management program.
(5) The management program and any changes thereto have been reviewed and approved by the Governor of the State.
(6) The Governor of the State has designated a single State agency to receive and administer grants for implementing the management program.
(7) The State is organized to implement the management program.
(8) The management program provides for adequate consideration of the national interest involved in planning for, and managing the coastal zone, including the siting of facilities such as energy facilities which are of greater than local significance. In the case of energy facilities, the Secretary shall find that the State has given consideration to any applicable national or interstate energy plan or program.
(9) The management program includes procedures whereby specific areas may be designated for the purpose of preserving or restoring them for their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, or esthetic values.
(10) The State, acting through its chosen agency or agencies (including local governments, areawide agencies, regional agencies, or interstate agencies) has authority for the management of the coastal zone in accordance with the management program. Such authority shall include power—
(A) to administer land use and water use regulations to control development 1
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
to ensure compliance with the management program, and to resolve conflicts among competing uses; and
(B) to acquire fee simple and less than fee simple interests in land, waters, and other property through condemnation or other means when necessary to achieve conformance with the management program.
(11) The management program provides for any one or a combination of the following general techniques for control of land uses and water uses within the coastal zone:
(A) State establishment of criteria and standards for local implementation, subject to administrative review and enforcement.
(B) Direct State land and water use planning and regulation.
(C) State administrative review for consistency with the management program of all development plans, projects, or land and water use regulations, including exceptions and variances thereto, proposed by any State or local authority or private developer, with power to approve or disapprove after public notice and an opportunity for hearings.
(12) The management program contains a method of assuring that local land use and water use regulations within the coastal zone do not unreasonably restrict or exclude land uses and water uses of regional benefit.
(13) The management program provides for—
(A) the inventory and designation of areas that contain one or more coastal resources of national significance; and
(B) specific and enforceable standards to protect such resources.
(14) The management program provides for public participation in permitting processes, consistency determinations, and other similar decisions.
(15) The management program provides a mechanism to ensure that all State agencies will adhere to the program.
(16) The management program contains enforceable policies and mechanisms to implement the applicable requirements of the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program of the State required by section 1455b of this title.
(e) Amendment or modification of State management program for coastal zoneA coastal state may amend or modify a management program which it has submitted and which has been approved by the Secretary under this section, subject to the following conditions:
(1) The State shall promptly notify the Secretary of any proposed amendment, modification, or other program change and submit it for the Secretary’s approval. The Secretary may suspend all or part of any grant made under this section pending State submission of the proposed amendments, modification, or other program change.
(2) Within 30 days after the date the Secretary receives any proposed amendment, the Secretary shall notify the State whether the Secretary approves or disapproves the amendment, or whether the Secretary finds it is necessary to extend the review of the proposed amendment for a period not to exceed 120 days after the date the Secretary received the proposed amendment. The Secretary may extend this period only as necessary to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). If the Secretary does not notify the coastal state that the Secretary approves or disapproves the amendment within that period, then the amendment shall be conclusively presumed as approved.
(3)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a coastal state may not implement any amendment, modification, or other change as part of its approved management program unless the amendment, modification, or other change is approved by the Secretary under this subsection.
(B) The Secretary, after determining on a preliminary basis, that an amendment, modification, or other change which has been submitted for approval under this subsection is likely to meet the program approval standards in this section, may permit the State to expend funds awarded under this section to begin implementing the proposed amendment, modification, or change. This preliminary approval shall not extend for more than 6 months and may not be renewed. A proposed amendment, modification, or change which has been given preliminary approval and is not finally approved under this paragraph shall not be considered an enforceable policy for purposes of section 1456 of this title.
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 306, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1283; amended Pub. L. 93–612, § 1(2), Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1974; Pub. L. 94–370, § 5, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1017; Pub. L. 96–464, § 5(a), Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2062; Pub. L. 99–272, title VI, § 6043(b)(1), (c), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 124, 125; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6206(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–303; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(1)(A), (B), (8), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5050, 5051.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1455

§ 1455a. Coastal resource improvement program
(a) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—
(1) The term “eligible coastal state” means a coastal state that for any fiscal year for which a grant is applied for under this section—
(A) has a management program approved under section 1455 of this title; and
(B) in the judgment of the Secretary, is making satisfactory progress in activities designed to result in significant improvement in achieving the coastal management objectives specified in section 1452(2)(A) through (K) of this title.
(2) The term “urban waterfront and port” means any developed area that is densely populated and is being used for, or has been used for, urban residential recreational, commercial, shipping or industrial purposes.
(b) Resource management improvement grantsThe Secretary may make grants to any eligible coastal state to assist that state in meeting one or more of the following objectives:
(1) The preservation or restoration of specific areas of the state that (A) are designated under the management program procedures required by section 1455(d)(9) of this title because of their conservation recreational, ecological, or esthetic values, or (B) contain one or more coastal resources of national significance, or for the purpose of restoring and enhancing shellfish production by the purchase and distribution of clutch material on publicly owned reef tracts.
(2) The redevelopment of deteriorating and underutilized urban waterfronts and ports that are designated in the state’s management program pursuant to section 1455(d)(2)(C) of this title as areas of particular concern.
(3) The provision of access to public beaches and other public coastal areas and to coastal waters in accordance with the planning process required under section 1455(d)(2)(G) of this title.
(4) The development of a coordinated process among State agencies to regulate and issue permits for aquaculture facilities in the coastal zone.
(c) Uses, terms and conditions of grants
(1) Each grant made by the Secretary under this section shall be subject to such terms and conditions as may be appropriate to ensure that the grant is used for purposes consistent with this section.
(2) Grants made under this section may be used for—
(A) the acquisition of fee simple and other interests in land;
(B) low-cost construction projects determined by the Secretary to be consistent with the purposes of this section, including but not limited to, paths, walkways, fences, parks, and the rehabilitation of historic buildings and structures; except that not more than 50 per centum of any grant made under this section may be used for such construction projects;
(C) in the case of grants made for objectives described in subsection (b)(2)—
(i) the rehabilitation or acquisition of piers to provide increased public use, including compatible commercial activity,
(ii) the establishment of shoreline stabilization measures including the installation or rehabilitation of bulkheads for the purpose of public safety or increasing public access and use, and
(iii) the removal or replacement of pilings where such action will provide increased recreational use of urban waterfront areas,
but activities provided for under this paragraph shall not be treated as construction projects subject to the limitations in paragraph (B);
(D) engineering designs, specifications, and other appropriate reports; and
(E) educational, interpretive, and management costs and such other related costs as the Secretary determines to be consistent with the purposes of this section.
(d) State matching contributions; ratio; maximum amount of grants
(1) The Secretary may make grants to any coastal state for the purpose of carrying out the project or purpose for which such grants are awarded, if the state matches any such grant according to the following ratios of Federal to state contributions for the applicable fiscal year: 4 to 1 for fiscal year 1986; 2.3 to 1 for fiscal year 1987; 1.5 to 1 for fiscal year 1988; and 1 to 1 for each fiscal year after fiscal year 1988.
(2) Grants provided under this section may be used to pay a coastal state’s share of costs required under any other Federal program that is consistent with the purposes of this section.
(3) The total amount of grants made under this section to any eligible coastal state for any fiscal year may not exceed an amount equal to 10 per centum of the total amount appropriated to carry out this section for such fiscal year.
(e) Allocation of grants to local governments and other agencies
(f) Other technical and financial assistance
(Pub. L. 89–454, title II, § 306A, as added Pub. L. 96–464, § 6, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2062; amended Pub. L. 99–272, title VI, § 6043(b)(2), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 124; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, §§ 6207, 6216(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–307, 1388–314; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(9)–(12), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5051; Pub. L. 104–150, § 7(1), June 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 1381.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1455a

§ 1455b. Protecting coastal waters
(a) In general
(1) Program development
(2) Program coordination
(b) Program contentsEach State program under this section shall provide for the implementation, at a minimum, of management measures in conformity with the guidance published under subsection (g), to protect coastal waters generally, and shall also contain the following:
(1) Identifying land usesThe identification of, and a continuing process for identifying, land uses which, individually or cumulatively, may cause or contribute significantly to a degradation of—
(A) those coastal waters where there is a failure to attain or maintain applicable water quality standards or protect designated uses, as determined by the State pursuant to its water quality planning processes; or
(B) those coastal waters that are threatened by reasonably foreseeable increases in pollution loadings from new or expanding sources.
(2) Identifying critical coastal areas
(3) Management measures
(4) Technical assistance
(5) Public participation
(6) Administrative coordination
(7) State coastal zone boundary modification
(c) Program submission, approval, and implementation
(1) Review and approvalWithin 6 months after the date of submission by a State of a program pursuant to this section, the Secretary and the Administrator shall jointly review the program. The program shall be approved if—
(A) the Secretary determines that the portions of the program under the authority of the Secretary meet the requirements of this section and the Administrator concurs with that determination; and
(B) the Administrator determines that the portions of the program under the authority of the Administrator meet the requirements of this section and the Secretary concurs with that determination.
(2) Implementation of approved programIf the program of a State is approved in accordance with paragraph (1), the State shall implement the program, including the management measures included in the program pursuant to subsection (b), through—
(A) changes to the State plan for control of nonpoint source pollution approved under section 1329 of title 33; and
(B) changes to the State coastal zone management program developed under section 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended by this Act [16 U.S.C. 1455].
(3) Withholding coastal management assistanceIf the Secretary finds that a coastal State has failed to submit an approvable program as required by this section, the Secretary shall withhold for each fiscal year until such a program is submitted a portion of grants otherwise available to the State for the fiscal year under section 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 [16 U.S.C. 1455], as follows:
(A) 10 percent for fiscal year 1996.
(B) 15 percent for fiscal year 1997.
(C) 20 percent for fiscal year 1998.
(D) 30 percent for fiscal year 1999 and each fiscal year thereafter.
The Secretary shall make amounts withheld under this paragraph available to coastal States having programs approved under this section.
(4) Withholding water pollution control assistanceIf the Administrator finds that a coastal State has failed to submit an approvable program as required by this section, the Administrator shall withhold from grants available to the State under section 1329 of title 33, for each fiscal year until such a program is submitted, an amount equal to a percentage of the grants awarded to the State for the preceding fiscal year under that section, as follows:
(A) For fiscal year 1996, 10 percent of the amount awarded for fiscal year 1995.
(B) For fiscal year 1997, 15 percent of the amount awarded for fiscal year 1996.
(C) For fiscal year 1998, 20 percent of the amount awarded for fiscal year 1997.
(D) For fiscal year 1999 and each fiscal year thereafter, 30 percent of the amount awarded for fiscal year 1998 or other preceding fiscal year.
The Administrator shall make amounts withheld under this paragraph available to States having programs approved pursuant to this subsection.
(d) Technical assistanceThe Secretary and the Administrator shall provide technical assistance to coastal States and local governments in developing and implementing programs under this section. Such assistance shall include—
(1) methods for assessing water quality impacts associated with coastal land uses;
(2) methods for assessing the cumulative water quality effects of coastal development;
(3) maintaining and from time to time revising an inventory of model ordinances, and providing other assistance to coastal States and local governments in identifying, developing, and implementing pollution control measures; and
(4) methods to predict and assess the effects of coastal land use management measures on coastal water quality and designated uses.
(e) Inland coastal zone boundaries
(1) Review
(2) Recommendation
(f) Financial assistance
(1) In general
(2) Amount
(3) State share
(4) Allocation
(g) Guidance for coastal nonpoint source pollution control
(1) In general
(2) ContentGuidance under this subsection shall include, at a minimum—
(A) a description of a range of methods, measures, or practices, including structural and nonstructural controls and operation and maintenance procedures, that constitute each measure;
(B) a description of the categories and subcategories of activities and locations for which each measure may be suitable;
(C) an identification of the individual pollutants or categories or classes of pollutants that may be controlled by the measures and the water quality effects of the measures;
(D) quantitative estimates of the pollution reduction effects and costs of the measures;
(E) a description of the factors which should be taken into account in adapting the measures to specific sites or locations; and
(F) any necessary monitoring techniques to accompany the measures to assess over time the success of the measures in reducing pollution loads and improving water quality.
(3) PublicationThe Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, shall publish—
(A) proposed guidance pursuant to this subsection not later than 6 months after November 5, 1990; and
(B) final guidance pursuant to this subsection not later than 18 months after November 5, 1990.
(4) Notice and comment
(5) Management measures
(h) Authorization of appropriations
(1) Administrator
(2) Secretary
(A) Of amounts appropriated to the Secretary for a fiscal year under section 318(a)(4) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended by this Act, not more than $1,000,000 shall be available for use by the Secretary for carrying out this section for that fiscal year, other than for providing in the form of grants under subsection (f).
(B) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for use for providing in the form of grants under subsection (f) not more than—
(i) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1992;
(ii) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1993;
(iii) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1994; and
(iv) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1995.
(i) DefinitionsIn this section—
(1) the term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;
(2) the term “coastal State” has the meaning given the term “coastal state” under section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453);
(3) each of the terms “coastal waters” and “coastal zone” has the meaning that term has in the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 [16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.];
(4) the term “coastal management agency” means a State agency designated pursuant to section 306(d)(6) of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 [16 U.S.C. 1455(d)(6)];
(5) the term “land use” includes a use of waters adjacent to coastal waters; and
(6) the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Commerce.
(Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6217, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–314; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(24), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5052.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1455b

§ 1456. Coordination and cooperation
(a) Federal agencies
(b) Adequate consideration of views of Federal agencies
(c) Consistency of Federal activities with State management programs; Presidential exemption; certification
(1)
(A) Each Federal agency activity within or outside the coastal zone that affects any land or water use or natural resource of the coastal zone shall be carried out in a manner which is consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable policies of approved State management programs. A Federal agency activity shall be subject to this paragraph unless it is subject to paragraph (2) or (3).
(B) After any final judgment, decree, or order of any Federal court that is appealable under section 1291 or 1292 of title 28, or under any other applicable provision of Federal law, that a specific Federal agency activity is not in compliance with subparagraph (A), and certification by the Secretary that mediation under subsection (h) is not likely to result in such compliance, the President may, upon written request from the Secretary, exempt from compliance those elements of the Federal agency activity that are found by the Federal court to be inconsistent with an approved State program, if the President determines that the activity is in the paramount interest of the United States. No such exemption shall be granted on the basis of a lack of appropriations unless the President has specifically requested such appropriations as part of the budgetary process, and the Congress has failed to make available the requested appropriations.
(C) Each Federal agency carrying out an activity subject to paragraph (1) shall provide a consistency determination to the relevant State agency designated under section 1455(d)(6) of this title at the earliest practicable time, but in no case later than 90 days before final approval of the Federal activity unless both the Federal agency and the State agency agree to a different schedule.
(2) Any Federal agency which shall undertake any development project in the coastal zone of a state shall insure that the project is, to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with the enforceable policies of approved state management programs.
(3)
(A) After final approval by the Secretary of a state’s management program, any applicant for a required Federal license or permit to conduct an activity, in or outside of the coastal zone, affecting any land or water use or natural resource of the coastal zone of that state shall provide in the application to the licensing or permitting agency a certification that the proposed activity complies with the enforceable policies of the state’s approved program and that such activity will be conducted in a manner consistent with the program. At the same time, the applicant shall furnish to the state or its designated agency a copy of the certification, with all necessary information and data. Each coastal state shall establish procedures for public notice in the case of all such certifications and, to the extent it deems appropriate, procedures for public hearings in connection therewith. At the earliest practicable time, the state or its designated agency shall notify the Federal agency concerned that the state concurs with or objects to the applicant’s certification. If the state or its designated agency fails to furnish the required notification within six months after receipt of its copy of the applicant’s certification, the state’s concurrence with the certification shall be conclusively presumed. No license or permit shall be granted by the Federal agency until the state or its designated agency has concurred with the applicant’s certification or until, by the state’s failure to act, the concurrence is conclusively presumed, unless the Secretary, on his own initiative or upon appeal by the applicant, finds after providing a reasonable opportunity for detailed comments from the Federal agency involved and from the state, that the activity is consistent with the objectives of this chapter or is otherwise necessary in the interest of national security.
(B) After the management program of any coastal state has been approved by the Secretary under section 1455 of this title, any person who submits to the Secretary of the Interior any plan for the exploration or development of, or production from, any area which has been leased under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) and regulations under such Act shall, with respect to any exploration, development, or production described in such plan and affecting any land or water use or natural resource of the coastal zone of such state, attach to such plan a certification that each activity which is described in detail in such plan complies with the enforceable policies of such state’s approved management program and will be carried out in a manner consistent with such program. No Federal official or agency shall grant such person any license or permit for any activity described in detail in such plan until such state or its designated agency receives a copy of such certification and plan, together with any other necessary data and information, and until—
(i) such state or its designated agency, in accordance with the procedures required to be established by such state pursuant to subparagraph (A), concurs with such person’s certification and notifies the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior of such concurrence;
(ii) concurrence by such state with such certification is conclusively presumed as provided for in subparagraph (A), except if such state fails to concur with or object to such certification within three months after receipt of its copy of such certification and supporting information, such state shall provide the Secretary, the appropriate federal agency, and such person with a written statement describing the status of review and the basis for further delay in issuing a final decision, and if such statement is not so provided, concurrence by such state with such certification shall be conclusively presumed; or
(iii) the Secretary finds, pursuant to subparagraph (A), that each activity which is described in detail in such plan is consistent with the objectives of this chapter or is otherwise necessary in the interest of national security.
If a state concurs or is conclusively presumed to concur, or if the Secretary makes such a finding, the provisions of subparagraph (A) are not applicable with respect to such person, such state, and any Federal license or permit which is required to conduct any activity affecting land uses or water uses in the coastal zone of such state which is described in detail in the plan to which such concurrence or finding applies. If such state objects to such certification and if the Secretary fails to make a finding under clause (iii) with respect to such certification, or if such person fails substantially to comply with such plan as submitted, such person shall submit an amendment to such plan, or a new plan, to the Secretary of the Interior. With respect to any amendment or new plan submitted to the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the preceding sentence, the applicable time period for purposes of concurrence by conclusive presumption under subparagraph (A) is 3 months.
(d) Application of local governments for Federal assistance; relationship of activities with approved management programs
(e) Construction with other lawsNothing in this chapter shall be construed—
(1) to diminish either Federal or state jurisdiction, responsibility, or rights in the field of planning, development, or control of water resources, submerged lands, or navigable waters; nor to displace, supersede, limit, or modify any interstate compact or the jurisdiction or responsibility of any legally established joint or common agency of two or more states or of two or more states and the Federal Government; nor to limit the authority of Congress to authorize and fund projects;
(2) as superseding, modifying, or repealing existing laws applicable to the various Federal agencies; nor to affect the jurisdiction, powers, or prerogatives of the International Joint Commission, United States and Canada, the Permanent Engineering Board, and the United States operating entity or entities established pursuant to the Columbia River Basin Treaty, signed at Washington, January 17, 1961, or the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico.
(f) Construction with existing requirements of water and air pollution programs
(g) Concurrence with programs which affect inland areas
(h) Mediation of disagreementsIn case of serious disagreement between any Federal agency and a coastal state—
(1) in the development or the initial implementation of a management program under section 1454 of this title; or
(2) in the administration of a management program approved under section 1455 of this title;
the Secretary, with the cooperation of the Executive Office of the President, shall seek to mediate the differences involved in such disagreement. The process of such mediation shall, with respect to any disagreement described in paragraph (2), include public hearings which shall be conducted in the local area concerned.
(i) Application fee for appeals
(1) With respect to appeals under subsections (c)(3) and (d) which are submitted after November 5, 1990, the Secretary shall collect an application fee of not less than $200 for minor appeals and not less than $500 for major appeals, unless the Secretary, upon consideration of an applicant’s request for a fee waiver, determines that the applicant is unable to pay the fee.
(2)
(A) The Secretary shall collect such other fees as are necessary to recover the full costs of administering and processing such appeals under subsection (c).
(B) If the Secretary waives the application fee under paragraph (1) for an applicant, the Secretary shall waive all other fees under this subsection for the applicant.
(3) Fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the Coastal Zone Management Fund established under section 1456a of this title.
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 307, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1285; amended Pub. L. 94–370, § 6, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1018; Pub. L. 95–372, title V, § 504, Sept. 18, 1978, 92 Stat. 693; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6208, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–307; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(13), (14), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5051.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1456

§ 1456–1. Authorization of the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program
(a) In general
(b) Property acquisition grantsThe Secretary shall make grants under the program to coastal states with approved coastal zone management plans or National Estuarine Research Reserve units for the purpose of acquiring property or interests in property described in subsection (a) that will further the goals of—
(1) a Coastal Zone Management Plan or Program approved under this chapter;
(2) a National Estuarine Research Reserve management plan;
(3) a regional or State watershed protection or management plan involving coastal states with approved coastal zone management programs; or
(4) a State coastal land acquisition plan that is consistent with an approved coastal zone management program.
(c) Grant processThe Secretary shall allocate funds to coastal states or National Estuarine Research Reserves under this section through a competitive grant process in accordance with guidelines that meet the following requirements:
(1) The Secretary shall consult with the coastal state’s coastal zone management program, any National Estuarine Research Reserve in that State, and the lead agency designated by the Governor for coordinating the implementation of this section (if different from the coastal zone management program).
(2) Each participating coastal state, after consultation with local governmental entities and other interested stakeholders, shall identify priority conservation needs within the State, the values to be protected by inclusion of lands in the program, and the threats to those values that should be avoided.
(3) Each participating coastal state shall to the extent practicable ensure that the acquisition of property or easements shall complement working waterfront needs.
(4) The applicant shall identify the values to be protected by inclusion of the lands in the program, management activities that are planned and the manner in which they may affect the values identified, and any other information from the landowner relevant to administration and management of the land.
(5) Awards shall be based on demonstrated need for protection and ability to successfully leverage funds among participating entities, including Federal programs, regional organizations, State and other governmental units, landowners, corporations, or private organizations.
(6) The governor, or the lead agency designated by the governor for coordinating the implementation of this section, where appropriate in consultation with the appropriate local government, shall determine that the application is consistent with the State’s or territory’s approved coastal zone plan, program, and policies prior to submittal to the Secretary.
(7)
(A) Priority shall be given to lands described in subsection (a) that can be effectively managed and protected and that have significant ecological value.
(B) Of the projects that meet the standard in subparagraph (A), priority shall be given to lands that—
(i) are under an imminent threat of conversion to a use that will degrade or otherwise diminish their natural, undeveloped, or recreational state; and
(ii) serve to mitigate the adverse impacts caused by coastal population growth in the coastal environment.
(8) In developing guidelines under this section, the Secretary shall consult with coastal states, other Federal agencies, and other interested stakeholders with expertise in land acquisition and conservation procedures.
(9) Eligible coastal states or National Estuarine Research Reserves may allocate grants to local governments or agencies eligible for assistance under section 1455a(e) of this title.
(10) The Secretary shall develop performance measures that the Secretary shall use to evaluate and report on the program’s effectiveness in accomplishing its purposes, and shall submit such evaluations to Congress triennially.
(d) Limitations and private property protections
(1) A grant awarded under this section may be used to purchase land or an interest in land, including an easement, only from a willing seller. Any such purchase shall not be the result of a forced taking under this section. Nothing in this section requires a private property owner to participate in the program under this section.
(2) Any interest in land, including any easement, acquired with a grant under this section shall not be considered to create any new liability, or have any effect on liability under any other law, of any private property owner with respect to any person injured on the private property.
(3) Nothing in this section requires a private property owner to provide access (including Federal, State, or local government access) to or use of private property unless such property or an interest in such property (including a conservation easement) has been purchased with funds made available under this section.
(e) Recognition of authority to control land use
(f) Matching requirements
(1) In general
(2) Cost share requirement
(A) In general
(B) Waiver of requirement
(3) Other Federal funds
(4) Source of matching cost shareFor purposes of paragraph (2)(A), the non-Federal cost share for a project may be determined by taking into account the following:
(A) The value of land or a conservation easement may be used by a project applicant as non-Federal match, if the Secretary determines that—
(i) the land meets the criteria set forth in section 2(b) 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “subsection (b)”.
and is acquired in the period beginning 3 years before the date of the submission of the grant application and ending 3 years after the date of the award of the grant;
(ii) the value of the land or easement is held by a non-governmental organization included in the grant application in perpetuity for conservation purposes of the program; and
(iii) the land or easement is connected either physically or through a conservation planning process to the land or easement that would be acquired.
(B) The appraised value of the land or conservation easement at the time of the grant closing will be considered and applied as the non-Federal cost share.
(C) Costs associated with land acquisition, land management planning, remediation, restoration, and enhancement may be used as non-Federal match if the activities are identified in the plan and expenses are incurred within the period of the grant award, or, for lands described in 2
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by “subparagraph”.
(A), within the same time limits described therein. These costs may include either cash or in-kind contributions.
(g) Reservation of funds for National Estuarine Research Reserve sites
(h) Limit on administrative costs
(i) Title and management of acquired propertyIf any property is acquired in whole or in part with funds made available through a grant under this section, the grant recipient shall provide—
(1) such assurances as the Secretary may require that—
(A) the title to the property will be held by the grant recipient or another appropriate public agency designated by the recipient in perpetuity;
(B) the property will be managed in a manner that is consistent with the purposes for which the land entered into the program and shall not convert such property to other uses; and
(C) if the property or interest in land is sold, exchanged, or divested, funds equal to the current value will be returned to the Secretary in accordance with applicable Federal law for redistribution in the grant process; and
(2) certification that the property (including any interest in land) will be acquired from a willing seller.
(j) Requirement for property used for non-Federal match
(k) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) Conservation easement
(2) Interest in property
(l) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 307A, as added Pub. L. 111–11, title XII, § 12502, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1442.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1456-1

§ 1456a. Coastal Zone Management Fund
(a)
(1) The obligations of any coastal state or unit of general purpose local government to repay loans made pursuant to this section as in effect before November 5, 1990, and any repayment schedule established pursuant to this chapter as in effect before November 5, 1990, are not altered by any provision of this chapter. Such loans shall be repaid under authority of this subsection and the Secretary may issue regulations governing such repayment. If the Secretary finds that any coastal state or unit of local government is unable to meet its obligations pursuant to this subsection because the actual increases in employment and related population resulting from coastal energy activity and the facilities associated with such activity do not provide adequate revenues to enable such State or unit to meet such obligations in accordance with the appropriate repayment schedule, the Secretary shall, after review of the information submitted by such State or unit, take any of the following actions:
(A) Modify the terms and conditions of such loan.
(B) Refinance the loan.
(C) Recommend to the Congress that legislation be enacted to forgive the loan.
(2) Loan repayments made pursuant to this subsection shall be retained by the Secretary as offsetting collections, and shall be deposited into the Coastal Zone Management Fund established under subsection (b).
(b)
(1) The Secretary shall establish and maintain a fund, to be known as the “Coastal Zone Management Fund”, which shall consist of amounts retained and deposited into the Fund under subsection (a) and fees deposited into the Fund under section 1456(i)(3) of this title.
(2) Subject to amounts provided in appropriation Acts, amounts in the Fund shall be available to the Secretary for use for the following:
(A) Expenses incident to the administration of this chapter, in an amount not to exceed for each of fiscal years 1997, 1998, and 1999 the higher of—
(i) $4,000,000; or
(ii) 8 percent of the total amount appropriated under this chapter for the fiscal year.
(B) After use under subparagraph (A)—
(i) projects to address management issues which are regional in scope, including interstate projects;
(ii) demonstration projects which have high potential for improving coastal zone management, especially at the local level;
(iii) emergency grants to State coastal zone management agencies to address unforeseen or disaster-related circumstances;
(iv) appropriate awards recognizing excellence in coastal zone management as provided in section 1460 of this title; and
(v) to provide financial support to coastal states for use for investigating and applying the public trust doctrine to implement State management programs approved under section 1455 of this title.
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 308, as added Pub. L. 94–370, § 7, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1019; amended Pub. L. 95–372, title V, §§ 501, 503(a)–(d), Sept. 18, 1978, 92 Stat. 690, 692, 693; Pub. L. 96–464, § 7, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2064; Pub. L. 99–272, title VI, § 6047, Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 128; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6209, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–308; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(1)(A), (B), (15)–(18), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5050, 5052; Pub. L. 104–150, §§ 2(b)(2), 5, June 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 1380, 1381.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1456a

§ 1456b. Coastal zone enhancement grants
(a) “Coastal zone enhancement objective” defined
For purposes of this section, the term “coastal zone enhancement objective” means any of the following objectives:
(1) Protection, restoration, or enhancement of the existing coastal wetlands base, or creation of new coastal wetlands.
(2) Preventing or significantly reducing threats to life and destruction of property by eliminating development and redevelopment in high-hazard areas, managing development in other hazard areas, and anticipating and managing the effects of potential sea level rise and Great Lakes level rise.
(3) Attaining increased opportunities for public access, taking into account current and future public access needs, to coastal areas of recreational, historical, aesthetic, ecological, or cultural value.
(4) Reducing marine debris entering the Nation’s coastal and ocean environment by managing uses and activities that contribute to the entry of such debris.
(5) Development and adoption of procedures to assess, consider, and control cumulative and secondary impacts of coastal growth and development, including the collective effect on various individual uses or activities on coastal resources, such as coastal wetlands and fishery resources.
(6) Preparing and implementing special area management plans for important coastal areas.
(7) Planning for the use of ocean resources.
(8) Adoption of procedures and enforceable policies to help facilitate the siting of energy facilities and Government facilities and energy-related activities and Government activities which may be of greater than local significance.
(9) Adoption of procedures and policies to evaluate and facilitate the siting of public and private aquaculture facilities in the coastal zone, which will enable States to formulate, administer, and implement strategic plans for marine aquaculture.
(b) Limits on grants
(1) Subject to the limitations and goals established in this section, the Secretary may make grants to coastal states to provide funding for development and submission for Federal approval of program changes that support attainment of one or more coastal zone enhancement objectives.
(2)
(A) In addition to any amounts provided under section 1455 of this title, and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary may make grants under this subsection to States for implementing program changes approved by the Secretary in accordance with section 1455(e) of this title.
(B) Grants under this paragraph to implement a program change may not be made in any fiscal year after the second fiscal year that begins after the approval of that change by the Secretary.
(c) Evaluation of State proposals by Secretary
(d) Promulgation of regulations by Secretary
Within 12 months following November 5, 1990, and consistent with the notice and participation requirements established in section 1463 of this title, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations concerning coastal zone enhancement grants that establish—
(1) specific and detailed criteria that must be addressed by a coastal state (including the State’s priority needs for improvement as identified by the Secretary after careful consultation with the State) as part of the State’s development and implementation of coastal zone enhancement objectives;
(2) administrative or procedural rules or requirements as necessary to facilitate the development and implementation of such objectives by coastal states; and
(3) other funding award criteria as are necessary or appropriate to ensure that evaluations of proposals, and decisions to award funding, under this section are based on objective standards applied fairly and equitably to those proposals.
(e) No State contribution required
(f) Funding
(g) Eligibility; suspension of State for noncompliance
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 309, as added Pub. L. 94–370, § 8, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1028; amended Pub. L. 96–464, § 8, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2064; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6210, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–309; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(1)(B), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5050; Pub. L. 104–150, §§ 3, 7(2), June 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 1380, 1382.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1456b

§ 1456c. Technical assistance
(a) The Secretary shall conduct a program of technical assistance and management-oriented research necessary to support the development and implementation of State coastal management program amendments under section 1456b of this title, and appropriate to the furtherance of international cooperative efforts and technical assistance in coastal zone management. Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the executive branch of the Federal Government may assist the Secretary, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, in carrying out the purposes of this section, including the furnishing of information to the extent permitted by law, the transfer of personnel with their consent and without prejudice to their position and rating, and the performance of any research, study, and technical assistance which does not interfere with the performance of the primary duties of such department, agency, or instrumentality. The Secretary may enter into contracts or other arrangements with any qualified person for the purposes of carrying out this subsection.
(b)
(1) The Secretary shall provide for the coordination of technical assistance, studies, and research activities under this section with any other such activities that are conducted by or subject to the authority of the Secretary.
(2) The Secretary shall make the results of research and studies conducted pursuant to this section available to coastal states in the form of technical assistance publications, workshops, or other means appropriate.
(3) The Secretary shall consult with coastal states on a regular basis regarding the development and implementation of the program established by this section.
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 310, as added Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6211, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–311.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1456c

§ 1456d. Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program

The Secretary shall establish a Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program, for the purpose of protecting important coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical, or aesthetic values, or that are threatened by conversion from their natural or recreational state to other uses: Provided further, That by September 30, 2002, the Secretary shall issue guidelines for this program delineating the criteria for grant awards: Provided further, That the Secretary shall distribute these funds in consultation with the States’ Coastal Zone Managers’ or Governors’ designated representatives based on demonstrated need and ability to successfully leverage funds, and shall give priority to lands which can be effectively managed and protected and which have significant ecological value: Provided further, That grants funded under this program shall require a 100 percent match from other sources.

(Pub. L. 107–77, title II, Nov. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 776.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1456d

§ 1457. Public hearings

All public hearings required under this chapter must be announced at least thirty days prior to the hearing date. At the time of the announcement, all agency materials pertinent to the hearings, including documents, studies, and other data, must be made available to the public for review and study. As similar materials are subsequently developed, they shall be made available to the public as they become available to the agency.

(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 311, formerly § 308, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1287; renumbered § 311, Pub. L. 94–370, § 7, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1019.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1457

§ 1458. Review of performance
(a) Evaluation of adherence with terms of grants
(b) Public participation; notice of meetings; reports
(c) Suspension of financial assistance for noncompliance; notification of Governor; length of suspension
(1) The Secretary may suspend payment of any portion of financial assistance extended to any coastal state under this chapter, and may withdraw any unexpended portion of such assistance, if the Secretary determines that the coastal state is failing to adhere to (A) the management program or a State plan developed to manage a national estuarine reserve established under section 1461 of this title, or a portion of the program or plan approved by the Secretary, or (B) the terms of any grant or cooperative agreement funded under this chapter.
(2) Financial assistance may not be suspended under paragraph (1) unless the Secretary provides the Governor of the coastal state with—
(A) written specifications and a schedule for the actions that should be taken by the State in order that such suspension of financial assistance may be withdrawn; and
(B) written specifications stating how those funds from the suspended financial assistance shall be expended by the coastal state to take the actions referred to in subparagraph (A).
(3) The suspension of financial assistance may not last for less than 6 months or more than 36 months after the date of suspension.
(d) Withdrawal of approval of program
(e) Notice and hearing
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 312, formerly § 309, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1287, renumbered § 312 and amended Pub. L. 94–370, §§ 7, 10, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1019, 1029; Pub. L. 96–464, § 9(a), Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2065; Pub. L. 99–272, title VI, § 6043(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 124; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, §§ 6212, 6216(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–311, 1388–314; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(1)(A), (C), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5050.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1458

§ 1459. Records and audit
(a) Maintenance of records by recipients of grants or financial assistance
(b) Access by Secretary and Comptroller General to records, books, etc., of recipients of grants or financial assistance for audit and examinationThe Secretary and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall—
(1) after any grant is made under this chapter or any financial assistance is provided under section 1456a of this title, as in effect before November 5, 1990; and
(2) until the expiration of 3 years after—
(A) completion of the project, program, or other undertaking for which such grant was made or used, or
(B) repayment of the loan or guaranteed indebtedness for which such financial assistance was provided,
have access for purposes of audit and examination to any record, book, document, and paper which belongs to or is used or controlled by, any recipient of the grant funds or any person who entered into any transaction relating to such financial assistance and which is pertinent for purposes of determining if the grant funds or the proceeds of such financial assistance are being, or were, used in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 313, formerly § 310, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1287; renumbered § 313 and amended Pub. L. 94–370, §§ 7, 11, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1019, 1030; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(19), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5052.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1459

§ 1460. Walter B. Jones excellence in coastal zone management awards
(a) Establishment
(b) Annual selection of recipients
The Secretary shall elect annually—
(1) one individual, other than an employee or officer of the Federal Government, whose contribution to the field of coastal zone management has been the most significant;
(2) 5 local governments which have made the most progress in developing and implementing the coastal zone management principles embodied in this chapter; and
(3) up to 10 graduate students whose academic study promises to contribute materially to development of new or improved approaches to coastal zone management.
(c) Solicitation of nominations for local government recipients
(d) Solicitation of nominations for graduate student recipients
(e) Funding; types of awards
Using sums in the Coastal Zone Management Fund established under section 1456a of this title and other amounts available to carry out this chapter (other than amounts appropriated to carry out sections 1454, 1455, 1455a, 1456b, 1456c, and 1461 of this title), the Secretary shall establish and execute appropriate awards, to be known as the “Walter B. Jones Awards”, including—
(1) cash awards in an amount not to exceed $5,000 each;
(2) research grants; and
(3) public ceremonies to acknowledge such awards.
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 314, formerly § 313, as added Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6213, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–312; renumbered § 314 and amended Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(20), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5052.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1460

§ 1461. National Estuarine Research Reserve System
(a) Establishment of SystemThere is established the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (hereinafter referred to in this section as the “System”) that consists of—
(1) each estuarine sanctuary designated under this section as in effect before April 7, 1986; and
(2) each estuarine area designated as a national estuarine reserve under subsection (b).
Each estuarine sanctuary referred to in paragraph (1) is hereby designated as a national estuarine reserve.
(b) Designation of national estuarine reservesAfter April 7, 1986, the Secretary may designate an estuarine area as a national estuarine reserve if—
(1) the Governor of the coastal state in which the area is located nominates the area for that designation; and
(2) the Secretary finds that—
(A) the area is a representative estuarine ecosystem that is suitable for long-term research and contributes to the biogeographical and typological balance of the System;
(B) the law of the coastal state provides long-term protection for reserve resources to ensure a stable environment for research;
(C) designation of the area as a reserve will serve to enhance public awareness and understanding of estuarine areas, and provide suitable opportunities for public education and interpretation; and
(D) the coastal state in which the area is located has complied with the requirements of any regulations issued by the Secretary to implement this section.
(c) Estuarine research guidelinesThe Secretary shall develop guidelines for the conduct of research within the System that shall include—
(1) a mechanism for identifying, and establishing priorities among, the coastal management issues that should be addressed through coordinated research within the System;
(2) the establishment of common research principles and objectives to guide the development of research programs within the System;
(3) the identification of uniform research methodologies which will ensure comparability of data, the broadest application of research results, and the maximum use of the System for research purposes;
(4) the establishment of performance standards upon which the effectiveness of the research efforts and the value of reserves within the System in addressing the coastal management issues identified in paragraph (1) may be measured; and
(5) the consideration of additional sources of funds for estuarine research than the funds authorized under this chapter, and strategies for encouraging the use of such funds within the System, with particular emphasis on mechanisms established under subsection (d).
In developing the guidelines under this section, the Secretary shall consult with prominent members of the estuarine research community.
(d) Promotion and coordination of estuarine researchThe Secretary shall take such action as is necessary to promote and coordinate the use of the System for research purposes including—
(1) requiring that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in conducting or supporting estuarine research, give priority consideration to research that uses the System; and
(2) consulting with other Federal and State agencies to promote use of one or more reserves within the System by such agencies when conducting estuarine research.
(e) Financial assistance
(1) The Secretary may, in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Secretary shall promulgate, make grants—
(A) to a coastal state—
(i) for purposes of acquiring such lands and waters, and any property interests therein, as are necessary to ensure the appropriate long-term management of an area as a national estuarine reserve,
(ii) for purposes of operating or managing a national estuarine reserve and constructing appropriate reserve facilities, or
(iii) for purposes of conducting educational or interpretive activities; and
(B) to any coastal state or public or private person for purposes of supporting research and monitoring within a national estuarine reserve that are consistent with the research guidelines developed under subsection (c).
(2) Financial assistance provided under paragraph (1) shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers necessary or appropriate to protect the interests of the United States, including requiring coastal states to execute suitable title documents setting forth the property interest or interests of the United States in any lands and waters acquired in whole or part with such financial assistance.
(3)
(A) The amount of the financial assistance provided under paragraph (1)(A)(i) with respect to the acquisition of lands and waters, or interests therein, for any one national estuarine reserve may not exceed an amount equal to 50 percent of the costs of the lands, waters, and interests therein or $5,000,000, whichever amount is less.
(B) The amount of the financial assistance provided under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) and (iii) and paragraph (1)(B) may not exceed 70 percent of the costs incurred to achieve the purposes described in those paragraphs with respect to a reserve; except that the amount of the financial assistance provided under paragraph (1)(A)(iii) may be up to 100 percent of any costs for activities that benefit the entire System.
(C) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), financial assistance under this subsection provided from amounts recovered as a result of damage to natural resources located in the coastal zone may be used to pay 100 percent of the costs of activities carried out with the assistance.
(f) Evaluation of System performance
(1) The Secretary shall periodically evaluate the operation and management of each national estuarine reserve, including education and interpretive activities, and the research being conducted within the reserve.
(2) If evaluation under paragraph (1) reveals that the operation and management of the reserve is deficient, or that the research being conducted within the reserve is not consistent with the research guidelines developed under subsection (c), the Secretary may suspend the eligibility of that reserve for financial assistance under subsection (e) until the deficiency or inconsistency is remedied.
(3) The Secretary may withdraw the designation of an estuarine area as a national estuarine reserve if evaluation under paragraph (1) reveals that—
(A) the basis for any one or more of the findings made under subsection (b)(2) regarding that area no longer exists; or
(B) a substantial portion of the research conducted within the area, over a period of years, has not been consistent with the research guidelines developed under subsection (c).
(g) ReportThe Secretary shall include in the report required under section 1462 of this title information regarding—
(1) new designations of national estuarine reserves;
(2) any expansion of existing national estuarine reserves;
(3) the status of the research program being conducted within the System; and
(4) a summary of the evaluations made under subsection (f).
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 315, formerly § 312, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1288; renumbered § 315 and amended Pub. L. 94–370, §§ 7, 12, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1019, 1030; Pub. L. 96–464, § 11, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2067; Pub. L. 99–272, title VI, § 6044, Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 125; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6214, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–313; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(1)(A), (B), (21), (22), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5050, 5052; Pub. L. 104–150, § 6, June 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 1381.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1461

§ 1462. Coastal zone management reports
(a) Biennial reports
(b) Recommendations for legislation
(c) Review of other Federal programs; report to Congress
(1) The Secretary shall conduct a systematic review of Federal programs, other than this chapter, that affect coastal resources for purposes of identifying conflicts between the objectives and administration of such programs and the purposes and policies of this chapter. Not later than 1 year after October 17, 1980, the Secretary shall notify each Federal agency having appropriate jurisdiction of any conflict between its program and the purposes and policies of this chapter identified as a result of such review.
(2) The Secretary shall promptly submit a report to the Congress consisting of the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection. Such report shall include recommendations for changes necessary to resolve existing conflicts among Federal laws and programs that affect the uses of coastal resources.
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 316, formerly § 313, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1288; renumbered § 316 and amended Pub. L. 94–370, §§ 7, 13, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1019, 1030; Pub. L. 96–464, § 10, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2066; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(23), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5052.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1462

§ 1463. Rules and regulations

The Secretary shall develop and promulgate, pursuant to section 553 of title 5, after notice and opportunity for full participation by relevant Federal agencies, state agencies, local governments, regional organizations, port authorities, and other interested parties, both public and private, such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 317, formerly § 314, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1288; renumbered § 317, Pub. L. 94–370, § 7, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1019.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1463

§ 1463a. Omitted

CITE AS: 16 USC 1463a

§ 1463b. National Coastal Resources Research and Development Institute
(a) Establishment by Secretary; administration
(b) Purposes of Institute
(c) Determination of Institute policies
(1) The policies of the Institute shall be determined by a Board of Governors composed of—
(A) two representatives appointed by the Governor of Oregon;
(B) one representative appointed by the Governor of Alaska;
(C) one representative appointed by the Governor of Washington;
(D) one representative appointed by the Governor of California; and
(E) one representative appointed by the Governor of Hawaii.
(2) Such policies shall include the selection, on a nationally competitive basis, of the research, projects, and studies to be supported by the Institute in accordance with the purposes of this section.
(d) Establishment of Advisory Council; functions and composition
(1) The Board of Governors shall establish an Advisory Council composed of specialists in ocean and coastal resources from the academic community.
(2) To the maximum extent practicable, the Advisory Council shall be composed of such specialists from every coastal region of the Nation.
(3) The Advisory Council shall provide such advice to the Board of Governors as such Board shall request, including recommendations regarding the support of research, projects, and studies in accordance with the purposes of this section.
(e) Administration of Institute
(f) Evaluation of Institute by Secretary
(g) Report to Secretary
(h) Access to Institute books, records, and documents
(i) Status of Institute employees
(j) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 98–364, title II, § 201, July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 443.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1463b

§ 1464. Authorization of appropriations
(a) Sums appropriated to SecretaryThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, to remain available until expended—
(1) for grants under sections 1455, 1455a, and 1456b of this title—
(A) $47,600,000 for fiscal year 1997;
(B) $49,000,000 for fiscal year 1998; and
(C) $50,500,000 for fiscal year 1999; and
(2) for grants under section 1461 of this title—
(A) $4,400,000 for fiscal year 1997;
(B) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 1998; and
(C) $4,600,000 for fiscal year 1999.
(b) Limitations
(c) Reversion to Secretary of unobligated State funds; availability of funds
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 318, formerly § 315, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1289; amended Pub. L. 93–612, § 1(3), Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1974; renumbered § 318 and amended Pub. L. 94–370, §§ 7, 14, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1019, 1031; Pub. L. 95–372, title V, §§ 502, 503(e), (f), Sept. 18, 1978, 92 Stat. 692, 693; Pub. L. 96–464, § 13, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2070; Pub. L. 99–272, title VI, § 6046, Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 127; Pub. L. 99–626, § 7, Nov. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 3506; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6215, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–313; Pub. L. 104–150, § 4, June 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 1381.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1464

§ 1465. Appeals to the Secretary
(a) Notice
(b) Closure of record
(1) In general
(2) Notice
(3) Exception
(A) In generalSubject to subparagraph (B), during the 160-day period described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may stay the closing of the decision record—
(i) for a specific period mutually agreed to in writing by the appellant and the State agency; or
(ii) as the Secretary determines necessary to receive, on an expedited basis—(I) any supplemental information specifically requested by the Secretary to complete a consistency review under this chapter; or(II) any clarifying information submitted by a party to the proceeding related to information in the consolidated record compiled by the lead Federal permitting agency.
(B) Applicability
(c) Deadline for decision
(1) In general
(2) Subsequent decision
(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 319, as added Pub. L. 104–150, § 8, June 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 1382; amended Pub. L. 109–58, title III, § 381, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 737.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1465

§ 1466. Appeals relating to offshore mineral development

For any Federal administrative agency proceeding that is an appeal or review under section 319 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1465) related to any Federal authorization for the permitting, approval, or other authorization of an energy project, the lead Federal permitting agency for the project shall, with the cooperation of Federal and State administrative agencies, maintain a consolidated record of all decisions made or actions taken by the lead agency or by another Federal or State administrative agency or officer. Such record shall be the initial record for appeals or reviews under that Act, provided that the record may be supplemented as expressly provided pursuant to section 319 of that Act.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title III, § 382, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 738.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1466

§ 1467. Establishment of the Digital Coast
(a) Establishment
(1) In general
(2) Designation
(b) Program requirementsIn carrying out the program, the Secretary shall ensure that the program provides data integration, tool development, training, documentation, dissemination, and archive by—
(1) making data and resulting integrated products developed under this section readily accessible via the Digital Coast internet website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the GeoPlatform.gov and data.gov internet websites, and such other information distribution technologies as the Secretary considers appropriate;
(2) developing decision-support tools that use and display resulting integrated data and provide training on use of such tools;
(3) documenting such data to Federal Geographic Data Committee standards; and
(4) archiving all raw data acquired under this Act at the appropriate National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data center or such other Federal data center as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(c) CoordinationThe Secretary shall coordinate the activities carried out under the program to optimize data collection, sharing, and integration, and to minimize duplication by—
(1) consulting with coastal managers and decision makers concerning coastal issues, and sharing information and best practices, as the Secretary considers appropriate, with—
(A) coastal States;
(B) local governments; and
(C) representatives of academia, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations;
(2) consulting with other Federal agencies, including interagency committees, on relevant Federal activities, including activities carried out under the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.), the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.), and the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892 et seq.);
(3) participating, pursuant to section 216 of the E-Government Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–347; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note), in the establishment of such standards and common protocols as the Secretary considers necessary to assure the interoperability of remote sensing and other geospatial data with all users of such information within—
(A) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
(B) other Federal agencies;
(C) State and local government; and
(D) the private sector;
(4) coordinating with, seeking assistance and cooperation of, and providing liaison to the Federal Geographic Data Committee pursuant to Office of Management and Budget Circular A–16 and Executive Order 12906 of April 11, 1994 (59 Fed. Reg. 17671), as amended by Executive Order 13286 of February 28, 2003 (68 Fed. Reg. 10619); and
(5) developing and maintaining a best practices document that sets out the best practices used by the Secretary in carrying out the program and providing such document to the United States Geological Survey, the Corps of Engineers, and other relevant Federal agencies.
(d) Filling needs and gapsIn carrying out the program, the Secretary shall—
(1) maximize the use of remote sensing and other geospatial data collection activities conducted for other purposes and under other authorities;
(2) focus on filling data needs and gaps for coastal management issues, including with respect to areas that, as of December 18, 2020, were underserved by coastal data and the areas of the Arctic that are under the jurisdiction of the United States;
(3) pursuant to the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), support continue improvement in existing efforts to coordinate the acquisition and integration of key data sets needed for coastal management and other purposes, including—
(A) coastal elevation data;
(B) land use and land cover data;
(C) socioeconomic and human use data;
(D) critical infrastructure data;
(E) structures data;
(F) living resources and habitat data;
(G) cadastral data; and
(H) aerial imagery; and
(4) integrate the priority supporting data set forth under paragraph (3) with other available data for the benefit of the broadest measure of coastal resource management constituents and applications.
(e) Financial agreements and contracts
(1) In generalIn carrying out the program, the Secretary—
(A) may enter into financial agreements to carry out the program, including—
(i) support to non-Federal entities that participate in implementing the program; and
(ii) grants, cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, contracts, or any other agreement on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis, with other Federal, tribal, State, and local governmental and nongovernmental entities; and
(B) may, to the maximum extent practicable, enter into such contracts with private sector entities for such products and services as the Secretary determines may be necessary to collect, process, and provide remote sensing and other geospatial data and products for purposes of the program.
(2) Fees
(A) Assessment and collection
(B) Amounts
(C) Use of feesAmounts collected by the Secretary in the form of fees under this paragraph shall be available to the extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriations Acts for—
(i) the costs incurred for conducting an activity described in subparagraph (A); or
(ii) the expenses described in subparagraph (B).
(3) Survey and mapping
(f) Ocean economy
(g) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 116–223, § 4, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1068.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1467

§ 1468. Regional Ocean Partnerships
(a) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) Administrator
(2) Coastal State
(3) Indian Tribe
(4) Regional Ocean Partnership
(b) Regional Ocean Partnerships
(1) In generalA coastal State or Indian Tribe may form a partnership with—
(A) a coastal State that shares a common ocean or coastal area with the coastal State, without regard to whether the coastal States are contiguous; and
(B) States—
(i) that share a common ocean, coastal area, or watershed with the coastal State, without regard to whether the coastal States are contiguous; or
(ii) that would contribute to the priorities of the partnership; and
(C) Indian Tribes.
(2) RequirementsA partnership formed under paragraph (1) may apply for designation as a Regional Ocean Partnership in such time and manner as determined appropriate by the Secretary if the partnership—
(A) is established to coordinate the management of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources among the members of the partnership;
(B) focuses on the environmental issues affecting the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas of the members participating in the partnership;
(C) complements existing coastal and ocean management efforts of States and Indian Tribes on an interstate scale, focusing on shared regional priorities;
(D) does not have a regulatory function; and
(E) is not duplicative of an existing Regional Ocean Partnership designated under paragraph (3), as determined by the Secretary.
(3) Designation of certain entities as Regional Ocean PartnershipsThe following entities are designated as Regional Ocean Partnerships:
(A) The Gulf of Mexico Alliance, comprised of the States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
(B) The Northeast Regional Ocean Council, comprised of the States of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
(C) The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean, comprised of the States of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
(D) The West Coast Ocean Alliance, comprised of the States of California, Oregon, and Washington and the coastal Indian Tribes therein.
(4) Great Lakes
(c) Governing bodies of Regional Ocean PartnershipsA Regional Ocean Partnership shall have a governing body that—
(1) shall be comprised, at a minimum, of voting members from each coastal state 2
2 So in original. Probably should be “coastal State”.
participating in the Regional Ocean Partnership, designated by the Governor of the coastal state; 2 and
(2) may include such other members as the partnership considers appropriate.
(d) FunctionsA Regional Ocean Partnership may perform the following functions:
(1) Promote coordination of the actions of the agencies of governments participating in the partnership with the actions of the appropriate officials of Federal agencies, State governments, and Indian Tribes in developing strategies—
(A) to conserve living resources, increase valuable habitats, enhance coastal resilience and ocean management, promote ecological and economic health, and address such other issues related to the shared ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes areas as are determined to be a shared, regional priority by those states; and
(B) to manage regional data portals and develop associated data products for purposes that support the priorities of the partnership.
(2) In cooperation with appropriate Federal and State agencies, Indian Tribes, and local authorities, develop and implement specific action plans to carry out coordination goals.
(3) Coordinate and implement priority plans and projects, and facilitate science, research, modeling, monitoring, data collection, and other activities that support the goals of the partnership through the provision of grants and contracts under subsection (f).
(4) Engage, coordinate, and collaborate with relevant governmental entities and stakeholders to address ocean and coastal related matters that require interagency or intergovernmental solutions.
(5) Implement outreach programs for public information, education, and participation to foster stewardship of the resources of the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas, as relevant.
(6) Develop and make available, through publications, technical assistance, and other appropriate means, information pertaining to cross-jurisdictional issues being addressed through the coordinated activities of the partnership.
(7) Serve as a liaison with, and provide information to, international counterparts, as appropriate on priority issues for the partnership.
(e) Coordination, consultation, and engagement
(1) In generalA Regional Ocean Partnership shall maintain mechanisms for coordination, consultation, and engagement with the following:
(A) The Federal Government.
(B) Indian Tribes.
(C) Nongovernmental entities, including academic organizations, nonprofit organizations, and private sector entities.
(D) Other federally mandated regional entities, including the Regional Fishery Management Councils, the regional associations of the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System, and relevant Marine Fisheries Commissions.
(2) Rule of construction
(f) Grants and contracts
(1) In general
(2) PurposesThe purposes described in this paragraph include any of the following:
(A) Monitoring the water quality and living resources of multistate ocean and coastal ecosystems and coastal communities.
(B) Researching and addressing the effects of natural and human-induced environmental changes on—
(i) ocean and coastal ecosystems; and
(ii) coastal communities.
(C) Developing and executing cooperative strategies that—
(i) address regional data issues identified by the partnership; and
(ii) will result in more effective management of common ocean and coastal areas.
(g) Report required
(1) In general
(2) Report requirementsThe report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) An assessment of the overall status of the work of the Regional Ocean Partnerships.
(B) An assessment of the effectiveness of the partnerships in supporting regional priorities relating to the management of common ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas.
(C) An assessment of the effectiveness of the strategies that the partnerships are supporting or implementing and the extent to which the priority needs of the regions covered by the partnerships are being met through such strategies.
(D) An assessment of how the efforts of the partnerships support or enhance Federal and State efforts consistent with the purposes of this title.
(E) Such recommendations as the Administrator may have for improving—
(i) efforts of the partnerships to support the purposes of this title; and
(ii) collective strategies that support the purposes of this title in coordination with all relevant Federal and State entities and Indian Tribes.
(F) The distribution of funds from each partnership for each fiscal year covered by the report.
(h) Availability of Federal funds
(i) AuthoritiesNothing in this section establishes any new legal or regulatory authority of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or of the Regional Ocean Partnerships, other than—
(1) the authority of the Administrator to provide amounts to the partnerships; and
(2) the authority of the partnerships to provide grants and enter into contracts under subsection (f).
(j) Authorizations
(1) Regional Ocean PartnershipsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator the following amounts to be made available to the Regional Ocean Partnerships or designated fiscal management entities of such partnerships to carry out activities of such partnerships under this title:
(A) $10,100,000 for fiscal year 2023.
(B) $10,202,000 for fiscal year 2024.
(C) $10,306,040 for fiscal year 2025.
(D) $10,412,160 for fiscal year 2026.
(E) $10,520,404 for fiscal year 2027.
(2) Distribution of amounts
(3) Tribal government participation
(Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title CII, § 10202, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3962.)

CITE AS: 16 USC 1468