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Washington Section 309 Coastal Zone Enhancement Program
Section 309 Program
Federal Coastal Zone Enhancement Grants Program
The federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), in
Section
309, provides special funding to assist states enrolled in the national
program to develop or implement changes to their federally-approved state
Coastal Zone Management Programs. The following requirements apply only to
this particular portion of the CZMA
- Congress identified nine coastal management issues (called “enhancement
areas”) for states to evaluate and assess the need for program changes to
address. The nine issues are: public access, coastal hazards, ocean
resources, wetlands, cumulative and secondary impacts of growth, marine
debris, special area management planning, energy and government facility
siting, and aquaculture.
- Program changes are defined by Congress as being "new or amended laws,
regulations, or enforceable policies." Grant funds may not be used to
implement existing laws or regulations or to fund existing initiatives
unless they result in program changes.
- Congress requires states to periodically assess the status of the nine
enhancement areas, identify high priorities for improvement, and propose
strategies for achieving those improvements. These Assessment and Strategy
documents are subject to public review and comment, and to federal approval.
Washington State's Coastal Zone Enhancement Program
Since the federal Section 309 Enhancement Grants Program began in 1991,
Washington State has worked in three of the nine allowable enhancement areas,
but has focused on the "cumulative and secondary impacts of coastal growth and
development." Our work in this enhancement area in recent years has included
writing new Shoreline Management Act Guidelines and subsequently working with
local governments to update their shoreline master programs.
In each assessment, the states must rank each of the improvement areas as a
high, medium, or low priority for action. The following table lists Washington’s
prioritization of each enhancement area during the previous four assessment
cycles. It is important to note that the priorities listed below reflect the
state’s assessment of where CZM program changes (see above) are needed – not on
the issue overall.
To access Washington State’s four previous Assessment and Strategy reports,
follow these links:
Questions?
Brian Lynn
Washington Department of Ecology, Headquarters
Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program
Direct line: 360-407-6224
Email: brian.lynn@ecy.wa.gov
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