of Commerce has announced that it will undertake 
a full-scale assessment of the program in addition 
to an internal review by NOAA. Both the Senate 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transporta- 
tion and the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries 
Committee have announced plans to hold oversight 
hearings on the coastal zone management program 
in the near future. Both the Coastal Zone Manage- 
ment Advisory Committee and National Advisory 
Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere may under- 
take examinations also. 
Because the program is at a relatively early stage, 
with only three State programs operating, it is pre- 
mature to conclude how effective it will be. The 
evaluation efforts underway in 1978 will be im- 
portant in that they will be the first thorough exam- 
ination made with enough State programs available 
to allow a preliminary judgment. 
Description of State Coastal Zone Management Programs 
The status of each State’s Coastal Zone Manage- 
ment Program in early 1978 is described, including 
the legal authorities proposed by the State to admin- 
ister its coastal program. The descriptions are based 
on information provided by NOAA’s Office of 
Coastal Zone Management. Expenditures noted are 
Federal funds allocated to the States as authorized 
by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 from 
March 1974 through September 1977—for program 
development (preparation) under Section 305, for 
program administration (management) under Sec- 
tion 306, and for estuarine sanctuaries under Section 
315. Funds dispensed under the Coastal Energy Im- 
pact Program (Section 308) are not included. 
Alabama 
Federal Funding 
Program Preparation (Section 305) 
1974: $100,000 
1975: 151,418 
1976: 
1977: 156,960 
Total: 408,378 
Current Status 
The Alabama Coastal Area Board was established 
in 1974. In 1976, the legislature reconstituted the 
Board to include four local government officials from 
the coastal area, four State agency heads, and the 
chairman of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee. The 
restructuring of the Boards’ membership and author- 
ity caused delays in the hiring of staff and the de- 
velopment of program management activities. The 
Board is currently identifying the uses and areas that 
will be managed, and the procedures that will be used 
to assure consistency with the policies in the program. 
Authorities 
The Board is responsible for developing a com- 
prehensive coastal area management program and 
for assuring that actions by agencies in the coastal 
area are consistent with the management program. 
No additional permits will be required from the 
Board if an existing State agency permit is required 
for an activity; current State permit activities will be 
subject to a determination by the Board that the 
permit will be in compliance with the management 
program. The coastal act allows significant local 
government autonomy. 
Alaska 
Federal Funding 
Program Preparation (Section 305) 
1974: $ 600,000 
1975: 1,200,000 
1976: 1,470,000 
1977: 
Total: 3,270,000 
Current Status 
The original thrust of the coastal zone manage- 
ment effort in Alaska was technical data collection 
and information dissemination. Much of this work 
has been accomplished through the technical services 
of State agencies. During the second and third years 
of program development, Alaska focused on policy 
development; State, local and Federal authorities 
that impact coastal resources; identification of 
boundaries and areas of particular state concern; 
and joint participation between the administrative 
and legislative bodies of government to develop 
acceptable coastal legislation. 
With third year supplemental funding, Alaska 
started implementing certain parts of its coastal act, 
which requires the development of guidelines and 
standards for establishing a Policy Council. Local 
government involvement and development of District 
Programs is also required and is a major activity 
during the fourth year. Active citizen participation 
has been an integral part of the program during the 
third and fourth years, including Statewide public 
workshops on coastal issues and public hearings on 
the guidelines and standards. 
Authorities 
The Alaska Coastal Act of 1977 will form the 
foundation of the program. This establishes the 
process for developing a program as well as the in- 
stitutional arangements to administer it. Additional 
State authorities will be used as necessary to enforce 
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