The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $2,305,000 to support the Hawai’i coastal zone management program administered by the Hawai’i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. NOAA is an agency of the U. S. Department of Commerce.

The grant will continue funding for the administration and execution of the state’s federally approved CZMP, which encompasses the entire state. With no point in Hawai'i more than 29 miles from the shore, the state’s 1,052 miles of coast are affected by almost any activity that occurs inland. Hawai'i's coastal program balances the needs for economic growth, a clean environment on which that growth depends and a vibrant local culture that reflects Hawai'i's uniqueness.

“Balancing the need for sustainable development with the protection and management of coastal resources is a core principle within NOAA,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “This grant allows the Hawaiian government to manage its coastal resources while actively supporting efforts that reinforce NOAA and the Bush Administration’s commitment to the environment.”

Hawai’i’s coastal program partners with communities to promote a sustainable coastal environment by building upon its heritage and inspiring island stewardship. The four county governments have a major role in the implementation of the Hawai’i CZMP and actively participate in a number projects throughout the state. The CZMP's leaves day-to-day management decisions at the state level in the 34 states and territories with federally approved coastal management programs.

Currently, 95,376 national shoreline miles (99.9 percent) are managed by the CZMP. State and federal coastal zone management efforts are guided by the CZMP's Strategic Framework, which is organized around three major themes: sustain coastal communities, sustain coastal ecosystems, and improve government efficiency.

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 CZMP is authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and administered at the federal level by the Coastal Programs Division within NOAA. For more information, visit: http://www.ocrm.nos.noaa.gov/czm/.

Each year, NOAA awards approximately $900 million in grants 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’s goals and programs reflect a commitment to these basic responsibilities of science and service to the nation for the past 34 years.

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.