Coastal Issues | Cumulative Impacts | Activities

What Is OCRM Doing to Address Cumulative and Secondary Impacts of Development?

Through its coastal management efforts, the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) is helping address cumulative and secondary impacts from development in a number of ways.

Coastal Zone Management Program

One of the main enhancement objectives of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) is the “development and adoption of procedures to assess, consider, and control cumulative and secondary impacts of coastal growth and development, including the collective various individual uses or activities on coastal resources, such as coastal wetlands and fishery resources” (Section 1456b(5)). OCRM’s Coastal Zone Management Program, in partnership with state coastal management programs, provides technical assistance and funding to support many projects to address cumulative and secondary impacts at the state and local level. Projects often involve developing and implementing comprehensive land use plans or special areas management plans (SAMPs), adopting new state regulations or policies to address growth and development, and providing guidance documents and training to state and local-decision makers.

Through the Coastal Zone Enhancement Program’s five-year assessments and strategies, states and territories have incentives to enhance their coastal management programs in a wide array of coastal issues of national significance, including cumulative and secondary impacts.  The Coastal Zone Enhancement Program provides state programs with an opportunity to establish new regulations, policies and management programs to address cumulative and secondary impacts.

Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program

OCRM administers the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program under Section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990. This joint program between NOAA and EPA ensures that coastal states have the tools to address polluted runoff, a common cumulative and secondary impact.

Specifically, the program:

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National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS)

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Local decision makers attend a workshop offered through the Wells Reserve’s Coastal Training Program on dock and pier management.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System’s Coastal Training Program provides current scientific information and skill-building opportunities to coastal decision-makers such as state and local government officials, land use planners, regulators, and engineers.  Through this program, the NERRs can ensure that these decision-makers have the knowledge and tools they need to address critical resource management issues of concern to local communities, including how best to address the cumulative and secondary impacts of development. Recently many Coastal Training Programs have focused on storm water management, land use planning, and other related topics.

EPA-NOAA Coastal Community Development Partnership

In an effort to combine strengths that address the link between land use and coastal water quality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NOAA are working together to address the impacts of growth and development on coastal communities, economies and natural resources, including water quality. OCRM is an active member of this partnership formed in 2005 to support state and local development innovations.

The EPA-NOAA Partnership is providing:

Additional information on the implementation of projects is contained in the most recent Partnership progress report.

Nonpoint Source Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO)

OCRM actively promotes the establishment and use of state NEMO programs to build local capacity by educating local stakeholders on the nexus between land use planning and protecting water quality. NEMO programs, now operating in over 30 states and territories, provide educational assistance on planning, zoning, stormwater and other land use issues using GIS-based tools and creative presentations. Originally launched from the University of Connecticut, NEMO programs now garner support from many different partners including EPA, NOAA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as well as a myriad of state and local governments and organizations. These programs, often delivered by Sea Grant extension staff, are helping communities change the way they develop. OCRM is currently helping to establish a new "regional" NEMO model for the Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake NEMO is planned as a network of organizations and agencies linked to provide coordinated education, training, technical assistance and other services for assisting local governments and stakeholders with resources needed for sound land and watershed management.

Clean Marina Initiative

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Voluntary, incentive-based Clean Marina Programs can be a good way to address the cumulative and secondary impacts from marina activities.

The Clean Marina Initiative is a voluntary, incentive-based program that addresses cumulative and secondary impacts from marina and boating activities. The Clean Marina Program encourages marina operators and recreational boaters to protect coastal water quality by engaging in environmentally sound operating and maintenance procedures. OCRM has encouraged many coastal states to develop Clean Marina Programs as a way to address polluted runoff from marina and boating activities required under the Coastal Nonpoint Program. OCRM continues to support state Clean Marina Programs through targeted Coastal Nonpoint Program grant funding.

Shoreline Management Technical Assistance Toolbox

OCRM, in partnership with NOAA’s Restoration Center, has developed a shoreline management technical assistance toolbox to provide coastal managers, local decision makers and other interested parties with information about and easy access to management tools, case studies, and other resources available for addressing shoreline management issues. The site focuses on management approaches that avoid shoreline hardening, including policy tools (e.g., set backs, planning, shoreline zoning, etc.) and alternative “soft” shoreline stabilization methods (e.g., marsh restoration with breakwater sill).

Dock and Pier Management Activities

Many coastal managers and citizens are concerned about the proliferation of docks and the potential impacts numerous private docks may have on the environment, navigation, and the ability of the public to access the waterfront. OCRM, in partnership with NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and Coastal Services Center sponsored workshops, developed white papers, training materials, and other resource tools to help coastal managers with their small dock and pier management needs.

Coral Reef Conservation Program

OCRM is one of the NOAA offices that comprise the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. As part of this Program, OCRM works with seven U.S. jurisdictions: Florida, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands. to conserve and manage U.S. coral reef resources. All seven coral jurisdictions have developed three-year local action strategies in to address specific threats to coral reefs, many encompassing cumulative and secondary impacts. The NOAA Coral Program provides technical assistance and funding to develop and implement these strategies which were developed through collaborative processes involving many different stakeholders and interest groups.

 

 

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