Title 16 › Chapter 33— COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT › § 1456
Require the Secretary to consult, cooperate, and coordinate with other federal agencies when doing work under this law. The Secretary must not approve a state’s coastal management program until affected federal agencies’ views are considered. Federal agencies must carry out actions that affect coastal land, water, or resources in a way that is, as much as possible, consistent with the enforceable parts of an approved state program. If a federal court rules an activity is not consistent and mediation is unlikely to fix it, the President can exempt parts of that activity only if it is in the paramount interest of the United States; lack of money is not a valid reason unless Congress refused requested funds. Federal agencies must give the state a consistency determination no later than 90 days before final approval of their action. Federal development projects in a state’s coastal zone must also be as consistent as practicable. After a state program is approved, anyone seeking a federal license, permit, or certain offshore lease plans that affect a state’s coastal zone must certify the activity follows the state’s approved rules and send a copy to the state. The state must notify the federal agency if it agrees or objects. If the state does not respond within six months (three months for certain offshore plans), concurrence is presumed. No federal license or permit can be issued until the state concurs or the Secretary finds the activity fits the goals of this law or is needed for national security. Federal agencies may not approve projects that conflict with a state’s enforceable policies, except as allowed above. The law does not change other federal or state water or air pollution laws; those requirements must be part of state programs. The Secretary must get the Interior Department’s concurrence when inland shorelands overlap a future national land use program. Serious disputes between a federal agency and a state can go to mediation. For appeals filed after November 5, 1990, the Secretary charges at least $200 for minor appeals and $500 for major appeals; other cost-recovery fees may be charged, waivers can be granted, and collected fees go into the Coastal Zone Management Fund.
Full Legal Text
Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
16 U.S.C. § 1456
Title 16 — Conservation
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60