Virginia CZM Program Overview

The Virginia Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program, established in 1986 through Executive Order, is a network of Virginia state agencies and local governments, that administers enforceable laws, regulations and policies that protect our coastal resources and fosters sustainable development.

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) serves as the lead agency of the network, and houses the Virginia CZM Program office in Richmond. This office works with the networked agencies to develop and implement coordinated coastal policies. To facilitate this work, the office established a Coastal Policy Team (CPT), which consists of representatives from each of the agencies, and provides a forum for discussion and resolution of cross-cutting coastal resource management issues. For a description of the progress the Virginia CZM Program is making in accomplishing its goals, go to the program's Goals and Accomplishments webpage. 

The Virginia CZM Program office at DEQ also administers the program's annual grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service, Office for Coastal Management. Since 1986, Virginia has received over $61 million in federal Coastal Zone Management Act funding, matched by over $51 million in state and local funds, to implement its Coastal Zone Management Program. As a "maximum-funded state" Virginia receives about $2.5 million annually. 

Together, Virginia's localities (represented by Virginia's 8 Coastal Planning District Commissions), state agencies and NOAA form an effective intergovernmental partnership.

Download Virginia CZM Program Overview (pdf)

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Federal Consistency

Having a federally approved coastal zone management program also authorizes Virginia to require that federal actions are consistent with the state's CZM Program's laws and enforceable policies.

For more information about federal consistency, go to Environmental Impact Review.  

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This website is provided by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program through a federal Coastal Zone Management Act grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Department of Commerce.