Featured News and Publications
The Coastal States Organization (CSO) was established in 1970 to represent the coastal states, commonwealths and territories on legislative and policy issues relating to the sound management of coastal, Great Lakes and ocean resources. CSO represents the interests of the Governors from the thirty-five coastal states, commonwealths, and territories of the United States.
CSO Seeks new Operations Coordinator 1.29.13
The start date for this position is immediate, and applicants are encouraged to apply early. You may view the full position announcement here
CSO Partners with APA Hazards Planning Research Center
The Coastal States Organization is working with the American Planning Association’s (APA) Hazards Planning Research Center to produce a Planning Advisory Service (PAS) Report on coastal zone management. The report will focus on state coastal management policies across the United States as well as the nature and extent of state technical assistance available to community planners working in coastal areas. Additionally, the PAS Report will identify best practices in the use of geospatial technology to further coastal resource management objectives, including coastal hazard mitigation, climate change adaptation, and improving environmental quality. The project is underwritten through a Digital Coast Fellowship supported by NOAA’s Coastal Services Center. Click here to learn more.
OCRM Marks 40th Anniversary of the Coastal Zone Management Act
NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) joins state and federal partners in marking the 40th anniversary of the landmark Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). The act was established by Congress on October 27, 1972, to preserve, protect, develop, enhance and restore the nation’s coastal resources. The CZMA created two cornerstone national programs in OCRM to better understand and manage our coastal areas: the National Coastal Zone Management Program and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Over the past forty years, OCRM has partnered with coastal and Great Lakes states and territories to address critical coastal issues, and has invested more than $1 billion in federal funds, matched by state funding, to develop and implement 35 state coastal management programs. OCRM has also established and funds 28 estuarine research reserves which are managed by a lead state agency or University, with input from local partners. The reserves have preserved more than 1.3 million acres of coastal habitat and provide ongoing vital research, education and stewardship activities and programs. For more information on the Coastal Zone Management Act, visit www.coastalmanagement.noaa.gov.
To access the Press Release view/download here
CSO Contributes to Coastal Chapter of National Climate Assessment(10/12/12)
On October 12, 2012, the Coastal Chapter of the National Climate Assessment (NCA) was submitted to the NCA Development and Advisory Committee. The NCA is conducted under the auspices of the Global Change Research Act of 1990 which requires a report to the President and the Congress every four years that integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP); analyzes the effects of global change on the natural environment, agriculture, energy production and use, land and water resources, transportation, human health and welfare, human social systems, and biological diversity; and analyzes current trends in global change, both human-induced and natural, and projects major trends for the subsequent 25 to 100 years. CSO Executive Director Kristen Fletcher and CSO Policy Analyst Diana Bowen served on a team of experts who contributed to the Coastal Chapter which was led by Virginia Burkett of USGS and Margaret Davidson of NOAA and entitled Coastal Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerabilities. The Chapter is available for download here
CSO Adopts Renewable Energy Policy (9/25/12)
At its 42nd Annual Meeting in Huron, Ohio, CSO adopted a Policy Position of the Coastal States, Territories and Commonwealths on Development and Management of Coastal and Offshore Renewable Energy. Its key principles are:
• Encourages sustainable development and production of renewable energy sources should minimize, mitigate, or avoid adverse impacts to coastal resources and uses
• Supports investment in appropriate monitoring, assessment, and research to provide the best information for informed decision-making and management, including collaborative, well- coordinated efforts by federal agencies.
• Supports state- and regionally-driven comprehensive planning for ocean, coastal and Great Lakes renewable energy projects.
• Supports the protection of coastal states’ authority and federal revenue sharing for renewable energy activities on the Outer Continental Shelf.
Groups Express Concern About Future of Coastal Habitat Conservation and Restoration (6/27/12)
Today, the Coastal States Organization, American Sportfishing Association and Restore America’s Estuaries released the following statement on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology subcommittee hearing on the oversight of the Nation’s Weather Satellite Programs.
CSSF Supporting work of MARCO (6/12/12)
http://www.midatlanticocean.org/
The Coastal States Stewardship Foundation has partnered with MARCO, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean, to serve as its fiduciary agent, managing the funding of two grants from NOAA and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation which is advancing MARCO’s work toward ocean planning in the Mid-Atlantic.
CSO opposes H.R. 1505 (6/7/12)
The Coastal States Organization opposes H.R. 1505, the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act, which would would unnecessarily restrict state sovereignty and exempt activities from federal consistency review provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA).
CSO Congratulates Illinois on its CZM program! (3/9/12)
CSO Releases FY13 Fact Sheets
FY13 CSO Approps Priorities_FINAL
CSO FY 13 – Coastal Zone Management Program
CSO FY 13 – Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program
CSO FY 13 – Coral Reef Conservation
CSO Signs on to Digital Coast Partner Support Letter
CSO Submits Comments to the National Ocean Council Regarding Its Draft National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan
CSO Releases Statement on Proposed NOAA Reorganization