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

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources a $6.944 million Cooperative Agreement under the Coastal Zone Management Administration Awards program (CFDA 11.419) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. This award supports administration of Alabama's federally approved coastal management program, leveraging an additional $1.6 million in state matching funds to address critical coastal resource management priorities. Primary deliverables include shoreline monitoring and data analysis to promote productive coastal habitats; water quality improvement and nonpoint source pollution reduction initiatives; habitat restoration and public access projects; coastal erosion dataset maintenance and geospatial database development through the Geological Survey of Alabama; and coastal riparian zone mapping to support economic development. The award also funds ongoing public outreach and education efforts and supports the Alabama People Against a Littered State (PALS) initiative to address marine debris and coastal preservation.

Implementation encompasses multiple sub-awarded entities providing specialized coastal management support. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management manages administration, compliance, and enforcement of coastal uses and coordinates watershed and water quality monitoring activities. Sub-awardees including the City of Spanish Fort, City of Loxley, Town of Magnolia Springs, and City of Satsuma receive funding for comprehensive planning updates and zoning ordinance development. Additional sub-awards fund the Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup program through Alabama Pals Inc. and a Sustainable Tourism Initiative through the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau. These coordinated efforts implement a science-based approach balancing economic growth with environmental quality and coastal resource protection across Alabama's coastal communities.

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing ongoing funding through the national coastal zone management program to the state of alabama 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 $1.7M is leveraging over $1.6M in state funds. These funds will support jobs and provide continued assistance to the alabama coastal area management program to address many important coastal issues in the state including water quality, habitat restoration, public access, and nonpoint source pollution reduction. For example, one project will maintain shoreline monitoring and analysis of data and promote productive coastal habitats. The funding also supports ongoing coastal public outreach. The award also supports new initiatives such as alabama people against a littered state (pals) to address issues such as marine debris and keeping the coastline pristine. The award is also funding a number of local projects or initiatives including: maintaining shoreline erosion dataset and monitoring as well as the geospatial database through the geological survey of alabama. Additionally mapping the coastal riparian zone for structures to promote coastal activities and economy.