CZMA External Review Interview Questions

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CZMA External Review Interview Questions
The final list of questions sent to the interviewees will state, at the top, that participation
is voluntary and that the information provided will assist with the continuing efforts to
monitor and improve performance of programs authorized by the Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972.
There will be some common questions for the State Coastal Zone Management Programs
and the National Estuarine Research Reserves, but others tailored toward their unique
programmatic goals and organic legislative intent.
Major Study Questions
Below is an initial list of the major study questions. These are not the specific questions
we will use as interview questions; rather, the information we are trying to gather.
Part One: Questions Common to Each Group
• What are the strongest drivers/influences for decisions made related to coastal
resources in the states?
o Who are the most influential parties?
o To what degree has change been influenced by CZ/NERRS programs?
• What role do State Coastal Zone/NERRS management programs play in assisting in
coastal decisions at the state/regional level (e.g., decision-maker, data provider, data
translator, expert)?
• Do you view your State Coastal Zone/NERRS program as effective? If so, why?
o What are the factors you believe make the State Coastal Zone
Management/NERRS program effective? (e.g., organizational, institutional,
financial, data provider, coordinator/facilitator)?
• What do State Coastal Zone/NERRS programs do that is unique? What is their
niche?
• If State Coastal Zone Management Programs did not exist, what would be the impact
in the coastal zone?
o What influence do they actually have on final decisions?
• What is the most helpful role that State Coastal Zone Management programs/NERRS
provide to state/regional decision-makers?
• How has the role of State Coastal Zone/NERRS programs changed over time?
• How has the influence of State Coastal Zone/NERRS programs changed over time?
Future Looking Questions
• What are the most exciting types of work being conducted at the CZ and NERRS
programs? Why are these projects/approaches particularly helpful?
• How do/should CZ programs and NERRS identify and weigh future challenges?
How do they prepare to address them?

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How much connectivity between CZ programs and NERRS exist at a state/regional
level? How has this been helpful or harmful?
How are/should CZ programs and NERRS position themselves to understand and
effect time sensitive resource decisions?

Part Two: Assessment of the Influence of State Coastal Zone Management Programs
In addition to the above questions, the following questions will be the basis of interviews
with external stakeholders that interact with State Coastal Zone Management Programs.
• How important a role does the State Coastal Zone Management Program play in
protecting or enhancing natural resources in the coastal zone and adjacent waters? (15 Likert scale?
o Are there activities, programs, efforts are particularly effective?
• How important a role does the State Coastal Zone Management Program play in
enhancing public awareness of estuarine areas/issues/topics? (1-5 Likert scale)
o Are there activities, programs, efforts are particularly effective?
• How important a role does the State Coastal Zone Management Program play in
reducing harmful coastal development? (1-5 Likert scale).
o Are there activities, programs, efforts are particularly effective?
• How important a role does the State Coastal Zone Management Program play in
supporting compatible economic development? (1-5 Likert scale)
o Are there activities, programs, efforts are particularly effective?
• How important a role does the State Coastal Zone Management Program play in
increasing public access for recreation? (1-5 Likert scale)
o Are there activities, programs, efforts that are particularly effective?
• How important a role does the State Coastal Zone Management Program play in
assisting in the coordination of decision-making at a local, state, federal level?
o Are there activities, programs, efforts that are particularly effective?
• Is there a difference in decisions in the coastal zone between states that have
approved State Coastal Zone Management Programs as those that do not? If so, how
do they differ?
Part Three: Assessment of the Influence of National Estuarine Research Reserve
Programs
In addition to Part One, the following questions will be the basis of interviews with
external stakeholders that interact with National Estuarine Research Reserve Programs.
• How important a role does the NERRS play in enhancing public awareness of
estuarine areas? (1-5 Likert Scale)
o Are there activities, programs, efforts are particularly effective?
• How important a role does the NERR play in identifying and establishing priorities
among coastal management issues? (1-5 Likert Scale)
o Are there activities, programs, efforts are particularly effective?
• Are there gaps in understanding, information, etc. that could/should be provided by
the NERR that would be particularly useful to you?

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This statement will be on the information sent to the interviewees:
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: The contents of the final report from the external
evaluation based on these interviews are considered a matter of public record. Interview notes would be
considered pre-decisional and/or private under the HUFreedom of Information ActUH.
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the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding
this burden estimate or any other suggestions for reducing this burden to Patmarie Nedelka, NOAA
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.
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be subjected to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements
of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
Control Number.

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