Coastal Management Programs & Permit

“Coastal areas host over 50% of the total U.S. population within only 17% of the nation’s land area. Between 1994 and 2015, coastal population is projected to increase by 28 million people.”

                              - The National Oceanic &Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization

The Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program addresses nonpoint pollution problems in coastal waters. The act requires communities in designated coastal management areas to establish Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs.  Currently, 29 states and territories are required to develop a program. 

In the program, a state or territory describes how it will implement nonpoint source pollution controls, known as management measures, that conform with those described in Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters. This program is administered jointly with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).