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

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing ongoing funding through the national coastal zone management program to the state of hawai`I to help administer the state of hawaii?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 $2.7M is leveraging over $2.5M in state and local funds. These funds will support jobs and provide continued assistance to the hawai`I coastal management program to address many important coastal issues in the state including coastal hazards and climate change, habitat protection, water quality, coastal community development, shoreline and harbor management, public access, etc? For example, one project will be to update the states? Ocean resources management plan that covers activities related to chronic coastal hazards and development, reducing polluted runoff, and supporting healthy marine ecosystems. The funding also supports ongoing coastal permitting and planning in local county planning departments. The award also supports new initiatives such as developing an online viewer to inform management decisions in shoreline areas so that decision makers have the best possible data in a centralized comprehensive resource.