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 awarded the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services $5.59 million through the Coastal Zone Management Administration Awards program (CFDA 11.419) on October 1, 2025, under Cooperative Agreement NA25NOSX419C0070.

The award funds administration of South Carolina's federally approved coastal management program, supporting shoreline management, public access, habitat protection, and coastal hazards mitigation. Specific deliverables include reviewing proposed activities within three beachfront critical areas—coastal water, beaches, and the beach/dune system—and evaluating impacts of those activities. The funding supports ongoing coastal planning by assisting oceanfront counties and municipalities in developing and maintaining local comprehensive beach management plans. The award also backs South Carolina's Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP), which removes derelict vessels from waterways to prevent costly marine debris removal efforts. Additionally, the funding supports the coastal zone management program's direct permitting authority for activities within critical areas, including permit application reviews for consistency with policies and compliance with statutes and regulations.

Work is performed in Columbia, South Carolina. The performance period runs from October 1, 2025, through March 31, 2027. NOAA's $5.59 million investment is leveraging over $2.622 million in state matching funds.

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 over $2,968,000.00 is leveraging over $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 shoreline management, public access, habitat protection, and coastal hazards. For example, one project will review proposed activities within the three beachfront critical areas, coastal water, beaches, and the beach/dune system and evaluate impacts of proposed activities. The funding also supports ongoing coastal planning by supporting oceanfront counties and municipalities to develop and maintain local comprehensive beach management plans. The award also is supporting new initiatives such as south carolinas vessel turn-in program (VTIP). This program has been successful in removing derelict vessels from waterways before they become a time consuming and costly marine debris removal effort. This award supports the VTIP program and activities to promote turn in opportunities. The award also supports a number of local projects or initiatives including through support for timely and transparent permitting processes. The CZM program has direct permitting authority for activities within the critical areas of south carolina. The program reviews permit applications for consistency with policies and compliance with statutes and regulations.