Office of Planning and Sustainable Development

Section 309 Coastal Zone Enhancement Program

Established in 1990 under Section 309 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), this program encourages state and territory coastal zone management programs to improve upon their coastal zone management (CZM) programs in one or more of nine (9) enhancement areas: wetlands, coastal hazards, public access, marine debris, cumulative and secondary impacts, special area management plans, ocean and Great Lakes resources, energy and government facility siting, and aquaculture.

In order to remain eligible for the Section 309 program, states are encouraged to periodically assess the status of the nine enhancement areas, identify high priorities for improvement, and propose strategies for achieving those improvements.

View the Hawaii Coastal Zone Management Program’s Section 309 Assessment & Strategy 2021-2025 HERE.