CRMC Seeks Comment on Draft 309 Assessment and Strategy

Draft 309 Assessment and Strategy for Enhancement for 2011—2015

The CRMC is currently seeking public comment on its Draft 309 Assessment and Strategy for Enhancement for 2011—2015, which is being prepared in consultation with NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management (OCRM).  
 
Every five years, state coastal management programs conduct self-assessments of their programs' activities within nine enhancement areas. The coastal management programs perform resource characterizations for each enhancement area, identifying the current status and trends, recent management activities, and any unmet management needs.  The nine enhancement areas are:

• Public Access
• Coastal Hazards
• Ocean/Great Lakes Resources
• Wetlands
• Cumulative and Secondary Impacts
• Marine Debris
• Special Area Management Plans
• Energy and Government Facility Siting
• Aquaculture
  

Coastal management programs must develop five-year strategies to implement changes that address those enhancement areas identified as priorities in their assessment in order to be eligible for enhancement grants under CZMA Section 309. Program changes can include developing a new or revising an existing law, regulation or administrative guideline, developing or revising a special area management plan (SAMP), or creating a new program such as a coastal land acquisition or restoration program.
 
To learn more about the Section 309 Coastal Zone Enhancement Grants Program and the nine enhancement areas, go to: http://coast.noaa.gov/czm/enhancement/

Public Comment:

Read CRMC’s Draft 309 Assessment and Strategy for Enhancement for 2011—2015 (PDF)

Comments may be submitted to:

Caitlin Chaffee
RICRMC
4808 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
cchaffee@crmc.ri.gov

Public comment period closes October 22, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.