FY24 texas CZM project description the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing ongoing funding through the national coastal zone management program to the state of texas to…

FY24 texas CZM project description the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing ongoing funding through the national coastal zone management program to the state of texas 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 over $3,130,000 is leveraging over $2,620,000 in state, local, and private funds. These funds will support jobs and provide continued assistance to the texas coastal management program to address many important coastal issues in the state including coastal nonpoint pollution, beneficial use of dredge material, and public access to coastal resources. For example, one project will study how well beneficial use restoration sites can support waterfowl in jefferson and orange counties. The funding also supports ongoing coastal grants to communities to address their specific coastal management concerns, including the construction of ADA-compliant facilities at popular waterfront access points in SAN antonio BAY. The award also supports an effort to develop a sediment budget for the state of texas and work with the US army corps of engineers to develop a regional general permit for the beneficial use of dredge material. This will allow restoration projects identified in the texas coastal resilience master plan to have multiple sources of material for projects, ensuring that critical restoration needs are addressed along the coast.