Coastal Land Paperwork Gets NOAA's Green Light Extension
Published Date: 4/24/2025
Notice
Summary
NOAA is asking to keep collecting info from state, local, and tribal governments to help protect and restore coastal and estuarine lands. This paperwork helps decide who gets funding for important conservation projects. The process won’t cost extra money but takes about 1,455 hours total each year from about 55 respondents, and the public has 30 more days to share their thoughts.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Information Needed To Get Conservation Grants
NOAA uses the collected information to implement the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program and to decide who receives funds for planning, conservation, acquisition, protection, restoration, or construction projects under the Coastal Zone Management Act and related authorities. Submitting the required information is listed as ‘‘Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits.’'
Government Applicants Face Paperwork Burden
State, local, and tribal governments must fill out NOAA information collections to apply for Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program funding. The collection involves about 55 respondents and a total of 1,455 hours per year, with specific forms taking: CELCP plan development 120 hours (120 hours to develop, 35 hours to revise/update), project application 20 hours, final grant application 3.5 hours, and semi‑annual/annual reports 1.5 hours each.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-20268, New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on October 16, 2026, to discuss important fishery rules that affect fishermen and communities in New England’s waters. They’ll review advice from experts about protecting fish species and plan meetings for next year. This meeting could lead to new fishing rules that impact how and when people fish, helping keep the ocean healthy and fishing sustainable.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-07088, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Greater Atlantic Region Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan
NOAA is renewing its info collection for managing the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishery, affecting about 800 fishermen and businesses. They’re keeping rules that track scallop catches, fishing trips, and quota trades to protect the ocean and keep fishing fair. This renewal asks for public comments for 30 more days and won’t add new costs but helps keep the fishery running smoothly.
Next: 2025-07091, Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Expansion of the Foreign Military Sales F-35 Pilot Training Center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas
The Air Force is planning to update the training center for F-35 pilots at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas and wants to check how these changes might affect the environment. This means more or different pilot training activities could happen, and the airport layout might change too. They’re starting this review now to make sure everything is safe and sound before moving forward.