NOAA AWARDS OVER $2.3 MILLION FOR HAWAII’S COASTAL ENVIRONMENT

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded a grant of more than $2.3 million to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism for its Coastal Zone Management Program. NOAA is an agency of the Commerce Department.

The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will use this grant to fund Hawaii’s Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program. The Hawaii CZM program partners with Hawaii’s communities to promote a sustainable coastal environment by inspiring island stewardship. To accomplish this, CZM funds are provided to the four county agencies that are an integral part in the implementation of the CZM program. Special projects, such as developing the Heeia Kea Ahupuaa/Watershed Management Plan, updating the Ocean Resources Management Plan and assisting the Trust for Public Land’s in developing preservation training targeted to specific local cultures are also paid for with CZM funds.

“This grant enables, NOAA to actively support and help create programs that reinforce our commitment to the environment in Hawaii and throughout the United States,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “We are proud to be the administering agency for programs such as the Coastal Zone Management Program, which allow the states to manage their coastal resources.”

The Coastal Management Program is a federal-state partnership dedicated to comprehensive management of the nation’s coastal resources, ensuring their protection for future generations while balancing competing national economic, cultural and environmental interests. The Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP) is authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and administered at the federal level by the Coastal Programs Division (CPD) within NOAA.

As of March 2003, NOAA has awarded more than 186 grants totaling $65 million to members of the academic, scientific and business communities to assist the agency in fulfilling its mission to study the Earth’s natural systems in order to predict environmental change, manage ocean resources, protect life and property, and provide decision makers with reliable scientific information. NOAA goals and programs reflect a commitment to these basic responsibilities of science and service to the nation for 33 years.

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. To learn more about NOAA, please visit http://www.noaa.gov.