Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP)

CMSP is an ecosystem-based spatial planning process for analyzing current and anticipated ocean uses, and identifying areas most suitable for various activities. CMS planning, as described in the final recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task force, will be prepared and implemented using a regional approach. This approach will allow for variability of economic, environmental, and social aspects among different areas of the US. At the regional level, CMSP will be stakeholder driven, engaging the local, state, regional, and tribal stakeholders.

Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) boundaries are identified as the regional planning scale to initiate CMSP. Based on LMEs, there are nine proposed planning areas: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Gulf Coast, West Coast, Pacific Islands, Alaska, Great Lakes, and the Caribbean.

BOEM is a federal co-lead in the Mid-Atlantic region and designated federal representative in Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, Northeast, and the West Coast.