Coastal Management Program Assessment and Strategy

The Commission receives financial assistance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the provisions of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) to implement the Commission’s coastal management program for San Francisco Bay. When Congress reauthorized the Coastal Zone Management Act in 1990, it added Section 309 to establish a voluntary coastal zone enhancement grant program. To be eligible for Section 309 funding, state coastal management agencies are required to periodically develop an Assessment and Strategy.

Working with NOAA Office for Coastal Management, BCDC has undertaken an assessment of its Coastal Management Program to identify those elements that work well, those needing improvement, and any gaps. The assessment focuses on nine coastal issue areas identified by the US Congress as being nationally important. Based on this assessment, BCDC has developed a proposed comprehensive, multi-year approach that identifies program changes and implementation activities needed to address enhancement area objectives identified as high priority. The strategy will guide expenditures of future Section 309 grants for improving BCDC’s management program, typically through program changes such as policy development or implementation.

The Commission had a 30-day public comment period on the proposed Assessment and Strategy and held a public hearing on the Assessment and Strategy at the August 20, 2020 Commission meeting .

The final Assessment and Strategy for the 2021-2025 Enhancement Cycle approved by the Commission can be found below.

Download the Assessment and Strategy (PDF)

Please note, the adopted Assessment and Strategy is in review with NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management and pending final approval.