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State FactsMiles of Coast: 140 Coastal Population (2000): 2,946,892 Lead Coastal Management Agency: Department of Environmental Protection, Water Planning Office Approval Date: 1980 |
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Ocean and Coastal Management in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Coastal Management Program
The Pennsylvania Coastal Management Program, within the Department of Environmental Protection, administers the Pennsylvania Coastal Program. The Coastal Program was approved in 1980 and is comprised of two widely separated coastal areas: the 63-mile Lake Erie shoreline and the 57-mile stretch of coastline along the Delaware Estuary. The Coastal Program relies on a network of state authorities and the Department of Environmental Resources has regulatory authority under many of theses statutes.
Dobbins Landing draws many visitors to the coast of Lake Erie, PA.
The Pennsylvania coastal zone along Lake Erie varies from 900 feet in urban areas to over 3 miles in rural areas, and encompasses the floodplains of Lake Erie and tributary streams, bluff hazard recession areas, and coastal wetlands. The Delaware River Estuary, where the boundary extends inland from 660 feet in urbanized areas to 3.5 miles in rural areas, includes floodplains of the Delaware and Schuykill Rivers and their tributaries to the upper limit of tidal influence, as well as tidal and freshwater wetlands.
The Coastal Program addresses a variety of coastal management issues including public access, management of invasive plants and animals, and inventorying and protecting wetlands. The Coastal Program also addresses hazards along the coast including shoreline erosion and bluff recession along Lake Erie. The Coastal Program offers a free Technical Advisory Service (TAS) to Lake Erie property owners. The TAS involves experts making on-site inspections and verbal and written recommendations on shoreline protection, surface and groundwater control, bluff stabilization and use of vegetation to stabilize loose soil conditions. The Coastal Program also provides financial and technical assistance for local administration of the Bluff Recession and Setback Act. The Act regulates the location of new structures and improvements to existing structures that are located in the bluff recession hazard area, which is the zone where the bluff recession rate creates a substantial threat to existing or future structures.
Dredging is often necessary to keep channels deep enough for boat traffic but dredging can significantly alter river banks, floodplains, and water flow. Shuylkill River, PA.
Program Highlights
Pennsylvania Develops College Level Nonpoint Source Pollution Curriculum
Pennsylvania Coastal Nonpoint Source Project Receives Recognition
Pennsylvania’s Ocean Resource Policy
Links
Pennsylvania Coastal Management Program — The website provides information on the Program including permitting, coastal planning, and technical assistance activities.
Marine Protected Areas — Search for marine protected areas by state, region, or topic area.
Pennsylvania Coastal Nonpoint Program Conditional and Full Approval Documents — The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program encourages better coordination between state and coastal zone managers and water quality experts to reduce polluted runoff in the coastal zone. The state received full approval in 2001.
Pennsylvania Coastal Program Evaluation (2006) — The Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management conducts periodic performance reviews of federally approved state coastal management programs.
Contact Information for Pennsylvania’s Program
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Coastal Zone Management Program
400 Market Street, 2nd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17105
(717) 772-4785