Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Georgia Coastal Management Program to balance economic development in Georgia's coastal zone with preservation of natural, environmental, historic, archaeological, and recreational resources for the benefit of Georgia's present and future generations.

The Georgia Coastal Management Program

Recognizing that the coast of Georgia comprises a vital natural resource system, the State of Georgia implemented the Georgia Coastal Management Program in order to balance economic development with preservation of coastal resources.  Developed through an extensive public process, the Georgia Coastal Management Program addresses the economic development concerns and natural resource issues identified by the citizens of Georgia.

Administered by the Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division, the Coastal Management Program uses existing state resource laws and establishes a network among agencies with management authority in the eleven-county coastal service area.  The Georgia Coastal Management Act (O.C.G.A 12-5-320, et seq.) provides the authority for state agencies to network and coordinate activities, and for the state to participate in the National Coastal Zone Management Program.

Coastal Management Program Service Area

The influence of the ocean on Georgia's coastal plain extends approximately 60 miles inland.  Georgia's linear eight-foot tidal range pushes seawater up the coastal rivers twice daily.  This salty tidal water influences the plants, fish, and ecology of the coastal rivers and, consequently, human activity.  The coastal area is important economically for a number of industries including shrimping, crabbing, recreational fishing, tourism, shipping, and manufacturing.  For effective coastal management, the Georgia Coastal Management Program encompasses all tidally influenced water bodies and all areas economically tied to coastal resources. 

Georgia's Coastal Management Program service area includes the following eleven counties:  Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, and Wayne.  Including each of these eleven counties in the Management Program ensures that all of Georgia's coastal population, industry, and resources are addressed.  Using county boundaries also simplifies the relationship with local governments and ensures that other programs and agencies in the coastal network can relate to the coastal service area boundaries.

Activities of the Coastal Management Program

Water Quality Monitoring:  The Coastal Management Program monitors coastal water quality and implements the National Shellfish Sanitation Program for the State of Georgia.  These responsibilities include classifying areas open and/or closed to shellfishing, analyzing water quality, issuing shellfish harvest permits, educating the public on shellfishing safety issues, and implementing other programs that monitor and improve estuarine and beach water quality.

Local Government Assistance:  The Coastal Management Program offers technical assistance to local governments, property owners, developers, and the public to provide expertise on coastal issues, minimize environmental impacts, clarify regulatory requirements, and identify agency contacts. The Program provides information on Best Management Practices and technical guidance on planning and design as well as information on habitat and endangered species.  The Program serves as a liaison among various agencies and institutions and maintains a list of contacts.  The Program provides forums for local governments, developers, and citizens to discuss potential resource issues and permit requirements with the appropriate agencies.  The goals of technical assistance are to promote smart development, to work with local governments to address natural resource issues, and to create a central source of information on coastal management issues.

The Georgia Coastal Management Program also assists local governments by administering the Coastal Incentive Grant Program.

Federal Consistency Review:  With a federally approved Coastal Management Program, the Coastal Zone Management Act authorizes the State of Georgia to review federal permits and licenses, federal projects, and federally funded projects that impact the coastal area.  These activities are reviewed to ensure that they are consistent with the Georgia Coastal Management Program.

Outreach and Education - The Coastal Ark: The Coastal Management Program operates the Coastal Ark, a mobile training and education platform that allows the GCMP to carry technical assistance and educational materials to local governments, classrooms, public festivals, and other events throughout the state. The Coastal Ark is outfitted with computers, resource mapping software and data, and other tools needed by local planners and decision makers.

Direct Permit Authorities:  The Coastal Resources Division administers several State authorities.  With the approval of the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Shore Protection Committee, the Division issues Marsh Permits and Shore Permits.  The Division also executes leases for state owned water bottoms.  In addition, the Division makes recommendations on 401 Water Quality Certification issuance for projects that affect the coastal area.  Together, these programs provide direct management over critical coastal habitats such as saltwater marshlands, beaches and the dynamic dune field, tidal waterbottoms, and navigable waters.

Coastal Nonpoint Source (6217) Program: The Coastal Nonpoint Source Program was mandated to all coastal states through section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendment, and is part of the Georgia Coastal Management Program. It is a non-regulatory program that seeks to reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution by providing funding, program development, and technical assistance to implement 56 nonpoint source pollution management measures. The management measures seek to reduce NPS pollution from sources that are exempt from regulation under federal or state environmental laws. 

The Coastal Advisory Council

In 1992, the Governor of Georgia appointed a two-year, 25-member Coastal Zone Advisory Committee, representing a diverse cross-section of the coastal Georgia citizenry, to provide public input throughout the development of the Georgia Coastal Management Program. A new Coastal Advisory Committee was appointed in 1994 by the Commission of the Department of Natural Resources to review the draft Program Document, to assist with public education throughout the program development process, and to provide technical assistance. In 1997, the committee was expanded to increase participation from interested local governments.

This expanded committee, now known as the Coastal Advisory Council, is charged with developing annual themes and funding criteria for the Coastal Incentive Grant Program, and to provide a communication loop between the Coastal Management Program and coastal citizens.