The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing ongoing funding through the national coastal zone management program to the state of south carolina to help administer the…

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing ongoing funding through the national coastal zone management program to the state of south carolina to help administer the states federally approved coastal management program. The national coastal zone management program, under the coastal zone management act, is an important voluntary federal-state partnership that protects, restores, and responsibly develops our nations coastal communities and resources by balancing economic development, coastal uses, and natural resource protection. Noaas investment of $2,968,000.00 is leveraging $2,622,000.00 in state funds. These funds will support jobs and provide continued assistance to the south carolina coastal management program to address many important coastal issues in the state including coastal hazards, habitat protection, water quality, aquaculture, coastal community development, shoreline and harbor management, public access, and marine debris. For example, one project will include the development or updating of local comprehensive beach management plans in coordination with local governments. These plans are intended to provide local governments with a comprehensive approach for managing the beach and dune system; a vision and strategy for implementing beach management; and to ensure consistency with state policies and regulations. The south carolina coastal management program will work with the town of pawleys island, the town of sullivans island, the town of hilton head island, beaufort county, georgetown county, and the city of north myrtle beach to revise and update their local comprehensive beach management plans through this funding. The funding also supports ongoing coastal permitting, planning, public outreach, training, and assistance to municipalities. The award also is supporting new initiatives such as expansion of the states vessel turn-in and fiberglass hull recycling program. This program provides boat owners with a safe, responsible, no-cost option for disposing of end-of-life vessels before they become derelict. The strategy also includes piloting a fiberglass vessel hull recycling program as an alternative to landfilling.