NOAA and State of Illinois Announce State’s Intent to Participate in Federal Coastal Zone Management Program

NOAA and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will commence the establishment of a coastal zone management plan for the state’s 63 miles of coastland. The CZMP is a voluntary 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 nation’s coastal resources are under increasing pressure from a variety of sources,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. This presents significant challenges for coastal resource managers who seek to balance the important priorities of environmental protection and economic vitality. “

Lautenbacher stressed it is vital that the state and federal governments come together to act as stewards of these national assets. “NOAA is looking forward to working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on their coastal zone management plan.”

CZMP is authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and administered at the federal level by NOAA. The agency supports states through financial assistance, mediation, technical services and information, and participation in priority state, regional, and local forums. The approved coastal zone management plan leaves day-to-day management decisions to the participating states. Illinois will become the 35th state in the program once its plan is approved.

The agreement between NOAA and Illinois begins a process that includes special studies and public meetings with the affected stakeholders and general public to help design their management plan. The state becomes eligible for grants pending NOAA’s approval of their plan. The grants are issued on a federal-state matching basis and go towards implementing the states plan.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through research to better understand atmospheric and climate variability and to manage wisely our nation's coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA Ocean Service: http://www.nos.noaa.gov

Illinois Department of Natural Resources: http://dnr.state.il.us/