Current Projects
The Division of Coastal Resources Management is supported through funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office for Coastal Management’s Coastal Zone Enhancement Program and the Coral Reef Initiative. Projects are identified and implemented through periodic grant proposals and ongoing partnerships.
Current projects include:
- Coral Reef Management
- Laolao Watershed Restoration
- Talakaya Watershed Restoration
- Public Access Enhancement
- Shoreline Monitoring
- Saipan Lagoon Management
Coastal Zone Enhancement Program
Improvements to state and territory coastal management programs are encouraged through this program. The focus is on nine 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. The program was established in 1990 under Section 309 of the Coastal Zone Management Act.Every five years, states and territories review their programs to identify priority needs and opportunities for improvement. The programs then work with NOAA to develop multi-year improvement strategies that focus on one or more of the priority enhancement goals. You can view CNMI’s current 309 strategy here.
The CORAL REEF INITIATIVE
CRI offers assistance to coastal governments in assessing and managing resources that will ensure the protection, conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs and associated ecosystems. The initiative supports the development education and outreach programs to raise public awareness of the importance of protection, conservation and sustainable development of reefs.