Celebrating 50 years of Coastal Zone Management!

Washington’s coast is one of the most dynamic and treasured places in the Pacific Northwest. From the rugged beaches of the Olympic Peninsula to the estuaries of Puget Sound, our coastal ecosystems support wildlife, recreation, cultural traditions, and local economies. Protecting these places requires thoughtful coordination across governments, communities, and stakeholders.

That’s where Washington’s Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP) plays a critical role.

Administered by the Washington Department of Ecology, the program implements the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, which encourages states to take the lead in managing their coastal resources through coordinated planning and policy.  Washington was actually the first state in the nation to receive federal approval for its coastal management program in 1976. Fifty years later, we're still relying on our CZMP to help guide how Washington protects coastal ecosystems, plans for development, and responds to emerging challenges like climate change.

A Framework for Protecting Coastal Resources

Washington’s Coastal Zone Management Program isn’t a single law or agency—it’s a collaborative framework that brings together existing state policies and partners across local, state, tribal, and federal governments.

The program focuses on several key priorities, including:

• Protecting and restoring coastal wetlands
• Supporting coastal communities facing hazards and sea level rise
• Managing growth and shoreline development
• Expanding public access to Washington’s coast
• Planning for ocean uses and marine spatial planning

Through this coordinated approach, the program helps balance conservation with economic and community needs in coastal regions. The program applies across 15 coastal counties in Washington, ensuring that decisions affecting coastal resources—from shoreline development to offshore projects—consider long-term impacts on ecosystems and communities.

Rising seas and worsening storms are a growing threat to coastal infrastructure. 

Ensuring Federal Projects Respect Washington’s Coast

One of the most powerful tools within the Coastal Zone Management Program is called “federal consistency.” This provision allows Washington State to review federal projects or federally permitted activities that could impact coastal resources—such as dredging projects, offshore energy development, or port infrastructure. These projects must be consistent with Washington’s coastal policies before they can move forward. This authority gives Washington a seat at the table in federal decision-making, helping ensure that national projects respect local environmental protections and community priorities.

Why This Matters to Surfrider Washington

For Surfrider Washington, the Coastal Zone Management Program is an essential piece of the policy landscape that protects the places we care about. The program supports several priorities that align directly with Surfrider’s mission:

Clean Water:
By strengthening coastal planning and pollution controls, the program helps protect water quality for recreation, marine life, and shellfish harvests.

Coastal Resilience:
Planning for sea level rise and coastal hazards helps communities adapt to climate impacts while protecting beaches, wetlands, and surf breaks.

Public Access:
Ensuring people can reach and enjoy the coast is a core value shared by Surfrider and the coastal management program.

Healthy Ecosystems:
Protecting wetlands, estuaries, and shoreline habitats supports biodiversity and the health of Washington’s marine ecosystems.

These goals mirror Surfrider’s broader efforts to defend clean water, healthy beaches, and resilient coastal communities across the state.

A Collaborative Future for Washington’s Coast

Washington’s coast faces increasing pressures—from climate change and coastal development to ocean industry expansion. Programs like the Coastal Zone Management Program help ensure that decisions about our shoreline are made thoughtfully and collaboratively.

For Surfrider Washington, this framework helps create opportunities to work with agencies, tribes, communities, and other partners to safeguard the coast for future generations.

Because protecting the coast isn’t just about preserving a place—it’s about sustaining the communities, cultures, and ecosystems that depend on it.

For more information on the history, implementation, and importance of the CZMP, check out Ecology's blog post, Caring for the Washington Coast.