Cooperative Agreement NA24NOSX419C0021

PURPOSE: THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) IS PROVIDING ONGOING FUNDING THROUGH THE NATIONAL COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO HELP ADMINISTER THE STATE?S 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 NATION?S COASTAL COMMUNITIES AND RESOURCES BY BALANCING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COASTAL USES, AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION. NOAA?S INVESTMENT OF OVER $3M IS LEVERAGING OVER $2.6M IN STATE FUNDS. THESE FUNDS WILL SUPPORT JOBS AND PROVIDE CONTINUED ASSISTANCE TO THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO ADDRESS MANY IMPORTANT COASTAL ISSUES IN THE STATE INCLUDING COASTAL HAZARDS AND CLIMATE CHANGE, HABITAT PROTECTION, HABITAT RESTORATION, WATER QUALITY, COASTAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, SHORELINE MANAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC ACCESS. FOR EXAMPLE, ONE PROJECT WILL RESULT IN GUIDANCE FOR ACHIEVING PLASTIC POLLUTION REDUCTION MEASURES WITHIN PROPOSED PROJECTS AND PLANS.. THE FUNDING ALSO SUPPORTS ONGOING COASTAL PERMITTING, PLANNING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THE AWARD WILL ALSO CREATE POLICY GUIDANCE ON PRIORITIZING PERMITTING OF NATURE-BASED ADAPTATION STRATEGIES