Coastal Zone Management Act Performance Management System

Coastal Zone Management Act
Performance Measurement System
Coastal Management Program Guidance

April 2011
(Updated June 2018)

Office for Coastal Management
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Coastal Zone Management Act Performance Measurement System
Coastal Management Program Performance Measures Guidance

Table of Contents
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 2
Coastal Zone Management Act Performance Measurement System .............................................. 3
List of Current Performance Measures ........................................................................................... 4
CZMAPMS Documentation ........................................................................................................... 5
CZMAPMS Timeline...................................................................................................................... 6
Government Coordination & Decision Making.............................................................................. 6
Goal: ............................................................................................................................................ 6
Annual Performance Measures: .................................................................................................. 7
Public Access ................................................................................................................................ 10
Goal: .......................................................................................................................................... 10
Annual Performance Measures: ................................................................................................ 11
Coastal Habitat .............................................................................................................................. 13
Goal: .......................................................................................................................................... 13
Annual Performance Measures: ................................................................................................ 14
Coastal Habitat Categories ........................................................................................................ 14
Coastal Hazards ............................................................................................................................ 17
Goal: .......................................................................................................................................... 17
Annual Performance Measures: ................................................................................................ 17
Coastal Dependent Uses and Community Development .............................................................. 19
Goal: .......................................................................................................................................... 19
Annual Performance Measures: ................................................................................................ 19
Appendix A – Comprehensive List of Original Performance Measures ...................................... 24

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NOTE TO READERS – SUMMARY OF GUIDANCE UPDATES:
This guidance reflects an update as of June 2018; Coastal Programs should begin
collecting data under this guidance with their FY18 awards, and will report under this
guidance for the first time in July/October 2019, according to the reporting timelines
on page 6.
Based on feedback from state coastal management programs, the Office for Coastal
Management revised performance measure 11 to: 1) include state-level work; 2)
differentiate policy and planning work from other project work; and 3) combine
reporting for projects that increase public awareness of hazards with all other nonpolicy and planning projects. The remainder of the performance measures have not
changed since the previous version from 2017. A clean version of the guidance is
presented for only the currently required measures to improve access and
readability; the list of original measures is included as an informational reference in
Appendix A. Other minor updates to the introductory text were also made in the
June 2018 update to reference the National Coastal Zone Management Program’s
new 2018-2023 strategic plan.

Coastal Zone Management Act Performance Measurement
System
This guidance supersedes previously issued guidance documents. This document provides
updated guidance to Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) on requirements and eligible
activities for reporting through the Coastal Zone Management Act Performance Measurement
System (CZMAPMS). All CMPs are required to successfully complete annual reporting for the
CZMAPMS as described by this guidance document.
The CZMAPMS was developed to track measures of effectiveness of the national Coastal Zone
Management (CZM) Program. The CZM Program is administered at the federal level by
NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management (OCM). The OCM is responsible for providing
leadership in advancing national coastal management objectives and maintaining and
strengthening state and territorial coastal management capabilities. The CZM Program is
implemented on a day-to-day basis at the state level in states and territories with federally
approved CMPs. Each CMP has a unique approach to implement the national goals of the
CZMA. State and territorial CMPs contribute to these goals with a variety of approaches, some
of which are not readily quantifiable through the use of national performance measures.
The National CZM Program also developed a new strategic plan, National Coastal Zone
Management Program Strategic Plan 2018-2023, in cooperation with a volunteer workgroup of
CMPs and the Coastal States Organization, and with input for all CMPs, to guide program
activities. The plan articulates a vision, mission, and strategic goals. It also identifies key

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indicators and maps these to the CZMAPMS performance measures as a data collection
mechanism to demonstrate progress in meeting goals. The National CZM Program is working to
establish a national target for performance measure 11 and will track progress toward the target.
Establishing this national target will be an important way for the National CZM Program to
assess progress in reaching its strategic goal related to hazard resilience.

VISION
Through a strong federal, state, and territory partnership, the nation’s oceans and coasts are
economically vibrant, resilient, and healthy for this and future generations.
MISSION
To ensure the conservation and responsible use of the nation’s valuable coastal resources by
facilitating informed planning and decision making along the coast; increasing the resilience of
coastal communities by anticipating and addressing coastal hazards; and ensuring a healthy coast
for the public to enjoy.
GOALS:
1. Coastal communities, states, and territories effectively plan and prepare for change.
2. Coastal and ocean ecosystems are protected, preserved, and restored for use and enjoyment.
3. Strengthen the program’s ability to advance coastal management.

List of Current Performance Measures
*Note: Placeholders have been include in the list of performance measures to reflect those that
were deleted in the 2014/2015 streamlining effort; this is to avoid confusion with tracking and
numbering of existing measures.
Government Coordination & Decision Making
1. Percent of federal consistency projects reviewed where the project was modified due to
consultation with the applicant to meet state/territorial CZM policies, by category 1.
2. Number of acres of a) permit-estimated loss and b) required gain or mitigation due to
activities subject to CZM regulatory programs, by category 2.
3. [This measure was removed in 2014/2015.]
4. Number of training events related to government coordination offered by the CZM
Program and number of participants.
Public Access
5. Number of public access sites a) created through acquisition or easement and b) enhanced
with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
6. Number of public access sites a) created and b) enhanced through CZM regulatory
requirements.
1
2

Federal Agency Activity; Federal License or Permit; Outer Continental Shelf; and Federal Financial Assistance
Tidal (Great Lake) Wetlands; Beach and Dune; Near-shore Habitat; and Other Habitat Types

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7. Number of training events related to public access offered by the CZM Program and
number of participants.
Coastal Habitat
8. a) Number of acres of coastal habitat protected by acquisition or easement and b) number
of acres of coastal habitat under restoration with assistance from CZM funding or staff,
by category 3.
9. [This measure was removed in 2014/2015.]
10. Number of training events related to coastal habitat offered by the CZM Program and
number of participants.
Coastal Hazards
11. Number of a) state-level policies and plans; b) local-level policies and plans; c) projects
completed at the state-level; and d) projects completed at the local-level to reduce future
damage from coastal hazards with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
12. Number of training events related to coastal hazards offered by the CZM Program and
number of participants.
Coastal Dependent Uses & Community Development
13. Number of coastal communities that a) developed or updated sustainable development
ordinances, policies, and plans; b) completed a project to implement a sustainable
development plan; c) developed or updated port or waterfront redevelopment ordinances,
policies, and plans; and d) completed a project to implement a port or waterfront
redevelopment plan with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
14. Number of coastal communities a) that developed or updated polluted runoff
management ordinances, policies, and plans and b) completed projects to implement
polluted runoff management plans with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
15. Number of training events related to coastal dependent uses and community development
offered by the CZM Program and number of participants.

CZMAPMS Documentation
Coastal Management Programs will annually report measures under the following categories:
Government Coordination, Public Access, Coastal Habitat, Coastal Hazards, and Coastal
Dependent Uses and Community Development. The CZMAPMS measures are intended to be
aggregated and reported at the national level to communicate effectiveness. Documentation of
reported data is an essential component of CZMAPMS implementation and communication of
the national results. The purpose of documentation data is to establish a record of reported
activities. The documentation data should provide sufficient information to demonstrate
that all reported activities were eligible under the CZMAPMS guidance. A unique identifier
is requested for each project or activity reported. This identifier should be developed by the CMP
and provide sufficient information to allow the CMP to reference more detailed documentation
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Tidal (Great Lake) Wetlands; Beach and Dune; Near-shore Habitat; and Other Habitat Types

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about the reported activity or project. It is also important that the unique identifier, in
combination with the other requested data, provides the assigned OCM Program Specialist
with sufficient information to evaluate eligibility. Therefore, it is helpful if the identifier
references either a CZM task or project title, if applicable. If necessary, additional descriptive
information should be provided as comments within the report.

CZMAPMS Timeline
Reporting Timeline for Annual Performance Measures:
Reporting for July 1 Awards

Reporting for October 1 Awards

Reporting Period
(each calendar year)

Deadline for
Submission

Reporting Period
(each calendar year)

Deadline for
Submission

July 1 to June 30

July 30

Oct. 1 to Sept. 30

October 30

Government Coordination & Decision Making
Goal:
Improve coordination and participation in the implementation of the CZM Program, and improve
government decision making through technical assistance and consultation on projects affecting
the coastal zone.
CZM Role and Actions:
• The CZM Program provides a framework under the CZMA federal consistency provisions to
effect change through state policies in support of national priorities, to provide technical
assistance and dedicated staff resources in the review of coastal zone projects, and to achieve
regulatory efficiencies through a coordinated, predictable project approval process.
• The CZM Program balances the need for economic development with resource protection
through implementation of state regulatory programs to avoid, minimize, or if necessary,
mitigate the loss of coastal habitats.
• The CZM Program is a federal-state partnership that supports comprehensive planning,
coordinated decision-making, and public participation in coastal management.
Capacity Building:
The CZM Program establishes capacity building networks by developing partnerships and
supporting their growth and independence. Through capacity building networks, the CZM
Program provides critical project management and coordination assistance to build local and
state capacity. The following are capacity building activities of the CZM Program that are
specific to the Government Coordination and Decision Making category:
• The CZM Program conducts training events to provide coastal decision makers with
knowledge and tools to understand and comply with program policies, regulations, and
decision-making processes.

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Annual Performance Measures:
1. Percent of federal consistency projects reviewed where the project was modified due to
consultation with the applicant to meet state/territorial CZM policies, by category 4.
2. Number of acres of a) permit-estimated loss and b) required gain or mitigation due to
activities subject to CZM regulatory programs, by category 5.
3. [This measure was removed in 2014/2015.]
4. Number of training events related to government coordination offered by the CZM Program
and number of participants.

Performance Measures Description:
1. Percent of federal consistency projects reviewed where the project was modified due to
consultation with the applicant to meet state/territorial CZM policies.
The purpose of this measure is to describe the role of the CZM Program in the coordination and
simplification of government decision making through consultation activities during the review
of federal consistency projects. This measure only captures federal consistency projects that can
be tracked from original proposal or submission to final decision by the Coastal Management
Program (CMP) or network partners. It may be difficult to capture all proposed projects. For
example, projects that are informally proposed or that are withdrawn or substantially altered
following informal consultation are not easily captured. OCM recognizes that some projects are
reviewed prior to formal submission through an early coordination process. Projects that are
modified due to consultation during an early coordination or inter-agency review process that
can be tracked from initial proposal to final decision should be included in the measure. Each
CMP should establish a protocol for when to include projects based on program databases or
tracking systems that will ensure that projects are only counted once for this measure. Long-term
project reviews that span multiple reporting periods should be included in the reporting period
when the final consistency decision is issued.
This measure focuses on federal consistency projects that require consultation and modifications
for the project to meet enforceable policies. “Modified Due to Consultation with the
Applicant” means that the CMP or networked agencies consulted with the applicant to modify
portions of the project that did not meet enforceable policies. The project is then modified and
found consistent. Instances where standard conditions are developed for a type of project or
applicant and incorporated into consistency decisions without consultation with the applicant
cannot be reported for this measure.
Report the following:
a) Total number of federal consistency projects technically reviewed (determined to be
applicable for federal consistency review) during the reporting period.

4
5

Federal Agency Activity; Federal License or Permit; Outer Continental Shelf; and Federal Financial Assistance
Tidal (Great Lake) Wetlands; Beach and Dune; Near-shore Habitat; and Other Habitat Types

7

b) Number of federal consistency projects reviewed where the project was modified due to
consultation with the applicant to meet State CZM policies by category 6.
Documentation Required:
• Identify the data tracking mechanism (e.g. database name) used to report data.
• For each category, list each federal consistency project reported as modified during the
reporting period using a unique identifier. If a large number of projects are modified
within a category, the CMP can group those projects in a way that still allows the
individual project records to be referenced, retrieved from a database, or otherwise
documented. For example, Docks & Piers Sect. 1123: CD-#001-085.
*Project documentation is only required for projects reported as modified, not for all federal
consistency requests reviewed.

2. Number of acres of a) permit-estimated loss and b) permit-required gain or mitigation
due to activities subject to CZM regulatory programs.
The purpose of this measure is to describe the role of the CZM Program in maintaining an
appropriate balance between development and habitat protection through CZM regulatory
programs. Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) administer regulatory programs to achieve
this balance; they also pursue many other approaches, such as comprehensive planning,
monitoring, mapping, education, training, and outreach. In addition, the permit review process
often involves project modifications to implement best management practices and reduce
impacts to habitat. Quantification of the outcomes related to these types of project modifications
to protect habitat is very difficult, in part because of the range of regulatory programs and
tracking mechanisms used by CMPs. Therefore, this measure focuses on the outcome of permit
decisions by measuring the estimated acres of habitat loss contained in the permit and the acres
of habitat that the permit applicant is required to mitigate for activities subject to CZM
regulatory programs. Both of these numbers can be considered estimates, and the actual number
of acres lost or mitigated may vary.
CZM Regulatory Programs should be defined by each CMP to include core CZM enforceable
policies that prevent the loss of tidal (or Great Lakes) wetlands, beach and dune habitat, and
nearshore (intertidal, subtidal, submerged) habitat, and programs that require mitigation for
unavoidable impacts or losses of coastal habitats.
Permit-Estimate Loss refers to the loss in acres of habitat that an activity subject to core CZM
regulations is estimated to result in under an approved permit or other administrative decision.
Do not include impacts that are considered temporary or short-lived in nature.
Required Gain or Mitigation refers to the habitat acres to be acquired, restored, or created as
compensation for estimated losses due to an activity subject to core CZM regulations. For CMP

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Federal agency activities; federal license or permit activities; Outer Continental Shelf projects; and Federal
financial assistance to state agencies or local governments.

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that allow the purchase of ‘credits,’ such as for a mitigation bank, please use an estimate of
mitigated acres based on past credits for completed creation, restoration, or acquisition projects.
Report the following:
a) Number of acres of permit-estimated loss due to activities subject to CZM regulatory
programs, by category7:
b) Number of acres of required gain or mitigation due to activities subject to CZM
regulatory programs, by category 8:
Documentation Required:
• Description of the data tracking mechanism (e.g. database name, internal report) used to
report this measure.
• For each category, list a unique identifier and the number of the acres of permit-estimated
loss and required gain or mitigation. For project types that involved small individual
estimated losses, documentation can be combined to report the total estimated loss. For
example, all residential dock and pier projects can be combined to estimate a total
estimated loss based on average size and impacts. However, the unique identifier for the
grouping must still allow the individual permit or project records to be referenced or
retrieved from a database.

3.

[This measure was removed in 2014/2015.]

4. Number of training events related to government coordination offered by the CZM
Program and number of participants.
This measure captures training events offered by the CZM Program. The CZM Program provides
scientific and technical information and skill-building opportunities to individuals who are
responsible for making decisions that affect coastal resources. Using a range of approaches,
CMPs provide coastal decision makers with the knowledge and tools they need to address critical
resource management issues. Training includes events for audiences that focus on more
technical subject matter than those provided through educational activities. Training can include
activities that are tailored to a specific audience, such as wetland regulators or a local agency
permitting program, and should be limited to training events offered by or funded by the CMP.
Training events that are funded by CZM federal or matching funds but conducted by partners
should be included. Training events can be provided online to provide remote access; however, if
there is not a registration or a sign-up process, only report those events for which the number of
participants can be documented.

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Tidal (or Great Lakes) wetlands; Beach and dune habitat; Nearshore (intertidal, subtidal, submerged) habitat; and
Other types of habitat.
8
Tidal (or Great Lakes) wetlands; Beach and dune habitat; Nearshore (intertidal, subtidal, submerged) habitat; and
Other types of habitat.

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This measure does not include CMP staff training but can include training events for staff of
network partners or local coastal programs. Do not include publications (e.g. manuals) or other
materials that are distributed without an associated and targeted training program.
Training events related to Government Coordination include the following types of processes
to increase local, state, and federal agency capacity and technical understanding: interagency or
intra-agency streamlining, decision-making efficiency, and active stakeholder participation.
Events can be related to federal consistency; development or local implementation of new state
rules; interagency permit streamlining or coordination; development of special area management
plans other area designations; resource management requirements for emerging issues; and
comprehensive planning to address management needs.
Participants are the people that participated in the reported training event. CMPs should
document the number of participants for each event reported at the time it is conducted. If a
sign-in sheet or registration is not possible, the program should ensure that the person conducting
the event records a count of participants at the time of the event.
Report the following:
a) Number of training events related to Government Coordination offered by the Coastal
Management Program and the number of participants.
Documentation Required:
• List each training event using a unique identifier, the corresponding number of
participants, and associated CZM award number. It is not necessary to list individual
participants; by submitting these data through the CZMAPMS, the program is certifying
its accuracy. Indicate if the activity was conducted jointly with a National Estuarine
Research Reserve.

Public Access
Goal:
Create or enhance public access sites over the next 5 years.
CZM Role: The CZM Program protects, creates, and enhances public access to the coast
through regulatory programs, acquiring new public access sites, and enhancing recreational
facilities such as boardwalks and piers.
Capacity Building:
• The CZM Program conducts training events to provide coastal decision makers with
knowledge and tools to comprehensively plan for and manage public access.

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Annual Performance Measures:
5. Number of public access sites a) created through acquisition or easement and b) enhanced
with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
6. Number of public access sites a) created and b) enhanced through CZM regulatory
requirements.
7. Number of training events related to public access offered by the CZM Program and number
of participants.

Performance Measures Description:
5. Number of public access sites a) created through acquisition or easement and b)
enhanced with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
An important goal of the CZMA is to ensure adequate public access to the coastal zone. Coastal
Management Programs (CMPs) accomplish this goal using approaches that are most effective for
their local coastal zone. These approaches can include conducting public access inventories,
developing access guides, ensuring sites are marked as public, identifying new areas for access,
and providing technical assistance, education, and outreach. The purpose of this measure is to
describe the role of the CZM Program in providing for new and enhanced public access in the
coastal zone. However, not all CMPs use CZM funding or staff to create new public access sites
or enhance existing recreational facilities. If the CMP, as a matter of policy or custom, does not
conduct such activities, report that “the Coastal Management Program does not use CZM
funding or staff to create or enhance public access sites.”
Examples of Public Access Sites are: vertical walking paths to the shore; publicly owned
property including parks, beaches, piers providing fishing access to coastal waters; boardwalks
or trails associated with coastal habitat such as wetlands, forested habitat, marshes; access to
historic areas or structures, such as lighthouses; and boat launches, ramps, docks, and marinas
that are publicly owned.
Created Sites are properties acquired for public access through fee simple ownership or through
an easement. There may be instances where a property has been in public ownership but not
open to the public. In this case, the property can be counted as a new site if it has not been
counted previously and it is opened to the public during the reporting period. However, in the
case where there is an unimproved site that is open to the public and it is improved for recreation
(i.e. facilities are constructed) during the reporting period, the addition of those facilities should
be considered an enhancement to an existing public access site. Enhancements can include
activities eligible under CZMA Section 306A, including educational signage, trail or boardwalk
construction or renovation, the addition of fish cleaning stations, parking, or bathroom facilities,
and other low-cost construction to improve recreational facilities.
It is acceptable to report sites created or enhanced due to CZM-funded staff that provide critical
management, planning, or coordination for a specific project completed during the reporting
period. However, do not include instances where CZM staff involvement is limited primarily to
permit review or consultation. Because CZM funding may have provided only a portion of the

11

funding necessary to create a public access site, OCM will use text with this measure that
indicates that public access sites may have been created in cooperation with CZM program
partners.
Report the following:
a) Number of public access sites created through acquisition or easement with assistance
from CZM funding or staff.
b) Number of existing public access sites enhanced with assistance from CZM funding or
staff.
Documentation Required:
• List each public access site reported using a unique identifier, the associated CZM award
number, and an indication of the primary CZM role (funding or staff support) for the
specific recreational site reported.

6. Number of public access sites a) created and b) enhanced through CZM regulatory
requirements.
The purpose of this measure is to describe the role of the CZM Program in addressing public
access needs through regulatory and permitting requirements. All CMPs provide protection of
public access through a variety of mechanisms. Some examples of legal or regulatory approaches
include:
• Identifying historic access points such as traditional right-of-ways and reclaiming them
for public use;
• Ensuring that existing access is not lost when new developments are proposed or if access
will be lost, requiring that developers mitigate the loss by providing a new or enhanced
opportunity elsewhere; and
• Establishing legal protections from liability for homeowners who provide access over
their property to waterfront.
However, this performance measure is intended to provide information about those programs
that have regulatory approaches that require the creation or enhancement of public access sites as
part of permitting, federal consistency, or other regulatory requirements. If the CMP does not use
regulatory mechanisms to create or enhance public access sites, report that “the Coastal
Management Program does not include a regulatory component to create or enhance
public access sites.”
A public access site is considered “Created” through CZM regulatory requirements when a
permit or other administrative action requires the designation of an area as a public access site
where one did not exist previously. The created public access site must have previously been
privately held or otherwise legally inaccessible to the general public. The State does not have to
hold ownership of the new site, but there must be a reasonable assurance that the new site is
available to the general public and will be a public site in perpetuity. A public access site is
considered “Enhanced” through CZM regulatory requirements when a permit or other
administrative action requires the improvement of facilities or the site itself for public recreation.

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Report the following:
a) Number of public access sites created through CZM regulatory requirements.
b) Number of public access sites enhanced through CZM regulatory requirements.
Documentation Required:
• Description of data tracking mechanism (e.g. database name, internal report) used to
report data for this measure.
• List each public access site reported using a unique identifier.

7. Number of training events related to public access offered by the CZM Program and
number of participants.
This measure captures training events offered by the CZM Program. Training events related to
Public Access include the following types of events: public trust and other public access policies
or legal precedent; planning practices for minimizing resource impacts due to public access
activities; and other public access related management issues.
See the description under Government Coordination measure #4 for a definition of eligible
Training Events and Participants.

Report the following:
a) Number of training events related to Public Access offered by the CZM Program and the
number of participants.
Documentation Required:
• List each training event using a unique identifier, the corresponding number of
participants, and associated CZM award number. It is not necessary to list individual
participants; by submitting these data through the CZMAPMS, the program is certifying
its accuracy. Indicate if the activity was conducted jointly with a National Estuarine
Research Reserve.

Coastal Habitat
Goal:
Protect coastal habitat through acquisition or easement; restore coastal habitat.
CZM Role:
• The CZM Program uses funding and expertise to protect and restore coastal habitat and
develops and coordinates local partnerships to engage citizen stewards.
Capacity Building:
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•

The CZM Program conducts training events to provide coastal decision makers with
knowledge and tools to protect and restore coastal habitat.

Annual Performance Measures:
8. a) Number of acres of coastal habitat protected by acquisition or easement and b) number of
acres of coastal habitat under restoration with assistance from CZM funding or staff, by
category 9.
9. [This measure was removed in 2014/2015.]
10. Number of training events related to coastal habitat offered by the CZM Program and number
of participants.

Coastal Habitat Categories
Tidal (or Great Lakes) Wetlands
Wetlands are "those areas that are inundated or saturated at a frequency and duration
sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of
vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions." [33 CFR 328.3(b)]. Note:
"under normal circumstances" means that such areas support plant growth unless such
growth is removed or prevented from growing by man or infrequent natural events (like
mudslides or volcanic eruptions).
Tidal wetlands are wetlands that are inundated by tidal waters. Definitions of wetlands and
tidal waters can be found at 33 CFR 328.3(b) and 33 CFR 328.3(f), respectively. Tidal
wetlands can include salt and brackish marshes (tidally flooded grasslands), and mangrove
swamps (salty shrub thickets and forests). Tidal wetlands in saline and brackish areas, or
estuarine wetlands, which are part of the estuary where salt water mixes with fresh water
running off the land via rivers, are also included.
Great Lakes coastal wetlands occur along the Great Lakes shoreline proper and portions of
tributary rivers and streams that are directly affected by Great Lakes water regimes. These
wetlands form a transition between the Great Lakes and adjacent terrestrial uplands, and are
influenced by both. Additional guidance for defining Great Lakes Wetlands:
• Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands: Abiotic and Floristic Characterization: A Summary of
Reports Prepared for Michigan Natural Features Inventory:
http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/ecopage/wetlands/glc/index.html#List%20of%20Tables
• Site Types for Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands:
http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/ecopage/wetlands/glc/table1.pdf
Beach and Dune Habitat
Beach is the zone of unconsolidated material between the mean low-water line and the line
of permanent vegetation, which is also the effective limit of storm waves; sometimes
includes the material moving in offshore, onshore, and longshore transport. Each state
9

Tidal (Great Lake) Wetlands; Beach and Dune; Near-shore Habitat; and Other Habitat Types

14

Coastal Management Program is required to have a definition of beach (CZMA Sect.
306(d)(G)(2)). Dune is a wind-formed hill or ridge of sand.
Nearshore Habitat
Nearshore (intertidal, subtidal, or submerged) habitats should include intertidal rocky
areas and pools, mud flats, coral reefs, shellfish beds, submerged aquatic vegetation such as
seagrass beds, rocky hard-bottom habitat, and other nearshore benthic habitat.

Performance Measures Description:
8. a) Number of acres of coastal habitat protected by acquisition or easement and b)
number of acres of coastal habitat under restoration with assistance from CZM funding
or staff, by category 10.
Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) play an important role in shaping coastal habitat
management policies, as well as improving, coordinating, and funding state and local activities.
Some programs use CZM funds to acquire property or conservation easements from willing
sellers to protect coastal habitat and also work with partners to restore coastal habitats. Other
programs focus on activities that support state and local actions to protect and restore coastal
habitat through comprehensive planning, habitat identification, technical assistance, and
education and outreach. This measure focuses on those CMPs that use CZM funding or staff to
protect habitat by acquisition or easement and to restore habitat. If a CMP, as a matter of policy
or custom, does not conduct such activities, enter “the Coastal Management Program does not
use CZM funding or staff to acquire or restore habitat.”
Protected refers to properties acquired for their habitat values through fee-simple ownership or
through a conservation easement. Restoration refers to the rehabilitation of degraded or altered
habitat and often involves reestablishing native vegetation and natural hydrology. It is acceptable
to report acres protected or restored due to CZM funded staff that provide critical management,
planning, or coordination for a specific project completed during the reporting period. However,
do not include instances where CZM staff involvement is limited primarily to permit review or
consultation. Habitat acres protected or restored through a mitigation program should be reported
only under measure #2. CMPs may also wish to add habitat categories to report other coastal
habitat types. An “other” category is included to facilitate individualized reporting.
Habitat protected or under restoration should be reported for the period in which the protection
or planned restoration activities were completed. Although reported restoration activities must be
completed within the reporting period, it is recognized that this does not mean that overall
restoration has been completed for a property in all cases. Because restoration is a long-term
effort, there may be a series of planned activities required to achieve restoration goals for a site.
Additionally, CZM funding may have only provided a portion of the funding necessary to protect
or restore an area; therefore, OCM will use text with this measure that indicates that habitat may
have been protected or restored in cooperation with CZM partners.
10

Tidal (Great Lake) Wetlands; Beach and Dune habitat; Near-shore Habitat; and Other Habitat Types

15

Report the following:
a) Number of acres protected by acquisition or easement with assistance from CZM funding
or staff, by category 11
b) Number of acres under restoration with assistance from CZM funding or staff, by
category 12
Documentation Required:
• For each category, provide a list of each project using a unique identifier, the number of acres
reported for each project, and the associated CZM award number, and indicate the primary
CZM role (funding or staff support).

9. [This measure was removed in 2014/2015.]

10. Number of training events related to coastal habitat offered by the CZM Program and
number of participants.

This measure captures training events offered by the CZM Program. Training events related to
Coastal Habitat include the following types of processes to increase local, state, and federal
agency capacity and technical understanding: habitat diversity and functions; status and trends;
mapping and monitoring; threat assessment; restoration; regulatory programs; and other habitat
management issues.
See the description under Government Coordination measure #4 for a definition of eligible
Training Events and Participants.
Report the following:
a) Number of training events related to Coastal Habitat offered by the Coastal Management
Program and the number of participants.
Documentation Required:
• List each training event using a unique identifier, the corresponding number of
participants, and associated CZM award number. It is not necessary to list individual
participants; by submitting these data through the CZMAPMS, the program is certifying
its accuracy. Indicate if the activity was conducted jointly with a National Estuarine
Research Reserve.

11
12

Tidal (or Great Lakes) wetlands; Beach and dune habitat; Nearshore habitat; and Other types of habitat.
Tidal (or Great Lakes) wetlands; Beach and dune habitat; Nearshore habitat; and Other types of habitat.

16

Coastal Hazards
Goal:
Increase the percentage of coastal communities implementing management practices to improve
resilience and increase public awareness of hazards.
CZM Role: Through its partnerships, the CZM Program engages states and communities to
become more resilient by comprehensive planning, managing development to minimize damage
to communities and coastal habitats, increasing preparedness, and responding to coastal hazards.
Capacity Building:
• The CZM Program conducts training events to provide coastal decision makers with
knowledge and tools to improve state and local management of coastal hazards and
comprehensive planning to improve resiliency.

Annual Performance Measures:
11. Number of a) state-level policies and plans; b) local-level policies and plans; c) projects
completed at the state-level; and d) projects completed at the local-level to reduce future
damage from coastal hazards with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
12. Number of training events related to coastal hazards offered by the CZM Program and
number of participants.

Performance Measures Description:
11. Number of a) state-level policies and plans; b) local-level policies and plans; c) projects
completed at the state-level; and d) projects completed at the local-level to reduce future
damage from coastal hazards with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
An important goal of the CZMA is to minimize the loss of life and property caused by improper
development in areas likely to be affected by or vulnerable to coastal hazards, and by the
removal or degradation of natural protective features such as beaches, dunes, wetlands, and
barrier islands. Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) achieve this goal through two primary
mechanisms:
• CMPs work to develop and implement policies and plans at the state and local level to
reduce the future damage from coastal hazards. They do this through direct work at the
state level or through assistance to coastal communities.
• CMPs also conduct projects to better understand and minimize hazard risk and to raise
public awareness of coastal hazards, or they provide technical assistance and funding to
others to carry out these types of projects.
Plans and policies are those that have been developed or adopted by a local unit of government
or by a state legislature, agency, board, or commission. For the purpose of reporting, local plans

17

and policies should be those developed with assistance from CZM funding or staff, and can
include the development or update of local coastal hazard plans, local coastal hazard mitigation
policies, ordinances and codes. State plans and policies should be those developed with CZM
funding and leadership from CZM staff (i.e., efforts that are led or initiated by the CMP or staff).
Please do not count state-level policy and plan efforts that are initiated outside of the CMP where
CZM staff simply play a participating or support role that is of a similar level of investment to
other groups or agencies that may be involved in the effort. Plans developed by a nongovernmental organization, in cooperation with a local or state governmental entity, can be
included if they meet the respective CZM involvement thresholds described above.
Completed projects can include technical assistance, mapping, education and outreach, and onthe-ground projects to reduce future damage from hazards at the state or local level. Projects
completed by a non-governmental organization for a coastal community can be reported. CMPs
should not include general administrative funding of local coastal programs or local government
agencies. Projects to reduce future damage from hazards or raise public awareness of coastal
hazards must be discrete and specific. Completed projects can include public awareness
campaigns that were developed with assistance from CZM funding or staff and increase public
awareness of hazards, such as hands-on educational events, educational signage or kiosks, and
informational materials such as brochures and websites. They may be ongoing efforts, but the
community or CMP must have completed an activity or component of the campaign during the
reporting period. Websites should only be included in the reporting period in which they are first
made available online, unless substantial updates are made during a subsequent reporting period.
Do not include projects where CZM staff involvement is limited primarily to permit review of
the completed project.
Report the following:
a) Number of state-level policies and plans developed and updated to reduce the future
damage from coastal hazards with the assistance from CZM funding or staff.
b) Number of local-level policies and plans developed and updated to reduce the future
damage from coastal hazards with the assistance from CZM funding or staff.
c) Number of projects completed at the state-level to reduce future damage from coastal
hazards with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
d) Number of projects completed at the local-level to reduce future damage from coastal
hazards with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
Documentation Required:
● List each policy, plan and project reported, whether or not it was conducted at the local or
state-level, the community(ies) worked with (if applicable), the counties impacted (if
state-level, note “all”), a unique identifier, the primary role of the CZM program (funding
or staff), and the associated CZM award number. If the state or territory does not use
counties, please indicate the closest equivalent.

12. Number of training events related to coastal hazards offered by the CZM Program and
number of participants.

18

This measure captures training events offered by the CZM Program to support the Coastal
Hazards goals. Training events related to Coastal Hazards include the following types of events
to increase local, state, and federal agency capacity and technical understanding for the
following: regulatory programs; vulnerability mapping; evacuation planning; and other coastal
hazard management issues.
See the description under Government Coordination measure #4 for a definition of eligible
Training Events and Participants.
Report the following:
a) Number of training events related to Coastal Hazards offered by the Coastal Management
Program and the number of participants.
Documentation Required:
• List each training event using a unique identifier, the corresponding number of
participants, and associated CZM award number. It is not necessary to list individual
participants; by submitting these data through the CZMAPMS, the program is certifying
its accuracy. Indicate if the activity was conducted jointly with a National Estuarine
Research Reserve.

Coastal Dependent Uses and Community Development
Goal:
Increase the percentage of communities in the coastal zone implementing sustainable coastal
management practices and revitalizing port and waterfront areas.
CZM Role: The CZM Program gives funding and expertise to help coastal communities sustain
their economies, human health, environment, and coastal character.
Capacity Building:
• The CZM Program conducts training events to provide coastal decision makers with
knowledge and tools to comprehensively manage for sustainable and coastal dependent uses
and improved water quality.

Annual Performance Measures:
13. Number of coastal communities that a) developed or updated sustainable development
ordinances, policies, and plans; b) completed a project to implement a sustainable
development plan; c) developed or updated port or waterfront redevelopment ordinances,
policies, and plans; and d) completed a project to implement a port or waterfront
redevelopment plan, with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
14. Number of coastal communities a) that developed or updated polluted runoff management
ordinances, policies, and plans and b) completed projects to implement polluted runoff
management plans, with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
19

15. Number of training events related to coastal dependent uses and community development
offered by the CZM Program and number of participants.

Performance Measures Description:
13. Number of coastal communities that a) developed or updated sustainable development
ordinances, policies, and plans; b) completed a project to implement a sustainable
development plan; c) developed or updated port or waterfront redevelopment
ordinances, policies, and plans; and d) completed a project to implement a port or
waterfront redevelopment plan, with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
The CZM Program has a critical role in the development and implementation of state and local
approaches to growth and redevelopment in the coastal zone. Coastal Management Programs
(CMPs) work with communities to ensure coastal development is designed, sited, and
constructed in ways that preserve and protect critical coastal resources and balance coastal land
uses. The purpose of this measure is to describe the role of the CZM Program in working with
coastal communities to develop and implement local policies and plans to manage growth and
development and in redeveloping underutilized and deteriorating urban waterfront areas and
ports. This measure focuses on efforts to enhance local management, planning, and the
implementation of plans for sustainable development and port or waterfront redevelopment.
A Coastal Community is a unit of local government or a special unit of government, such as a
planning district. In coastal zones without local governments (e.g. U.S. territories), a coastal
community may be an administrative body or organization that formally represents a local
geographic area. The list of coastal communities within each CMP’s coastal zone should be
developed to consistently apply to measures #11, 13, and 14 and should remain consistent for
reporting over time.
Plans should be developed or adopted by a local unit of government, with assistance from CZM
funding or staff, and can include state-mandated plans. Plans developed by a non-governmental
organization in cooperation with a governmental entity can be included. Plans or ordinances do
not need to be formally adopted by the local unit of government to be reported for this measure.
However, plans or ordinances developed at the state level without direct involvement by the
community reported are not eligible for this measure.
Completed Projects should implement actions, with assistance from CZM funding or staff, that
are called for in a sustainable development or port or waterfront redevelopment plan. That plan
may or may not have been developed using CZM funding or staff. However, do not include
instances where CZM staff involvement is limited primarily to permit review.
Some examples of principles for Sustainable Development include mixed land uses, compact
building design, preservation of open space, directing development towards existing
communities, and involvement of the community and stakeholders. More information on
sustainable development principles can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/livability/about_sg.htm.

20

Port or Waterfront Redevelopment can include: economic development; land acquisition or
protection through easement; rehabilitation or acquisition of piers for public use; rehabilitation of
bulkheads for improved public safety or access, removal or replacement of pilings to provide
increased recreational use; zoning or other development ordinances to support redevelopment;
and visioning and other public involvement processes. The development of public access
facilities should be reported under the Public Access performance measures. Port or waterfront
redevelopment support activities can include planning, technical assistance, and on-the-ground
projects eligible under CZMA Section 306A.
Report the following:
a) Number of coastal communities that developed or updated sustainable development
ordinances, policies, and plans, with assistance from CZM funding or staff;
b) Number of coastal communities that completed a project to implement a sustainable
development plan, with assistance from CZM funding or staff;
c) Number of coastal communities that developed or updated port or waterfront
redevelopment ordinances, policies, and plans, with assistance from CZM funding or
staff; and
d) Number of coastal communities that completed a project to implement a redevelopment
plan, with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
Documentation Required:
• List each community reported, its county, a unique identifier, indicate the primary CZM
role (funding or staff support), and the associated CZM award number. If the state or
territory does not use counties, please indicate the closest equivalent that will allow the
community to be located.

14. Number of coastal communities that a) developed or updated polluted runoff
management ordinances, policies, and plans and b) completed projects to implement
polluted runoff management plans, with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, which falls under Section 6217 of the Coastal
Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA), is jointly administered by NOAA and the
Environmental Protection Agency. The program encourages pollution prevention efforts at a
local level, particularly improvements to land-use planning and zoning practices to protect
coastal water quality. The purpose of this measure is to describe the role of the CZM Program in
supporting communities in the development and implementation of local ordinances, policies,
and plans to control or prevent polluted runoff.
A Coastal Community is a unit of local government or a special unit of government, such as a
planning district. In coastal zones without local governments (e.g. U.S. territories), a coastal
community may be an administrative body or organization that formally represents a local
geographic area. The list of coastal communities within each CMP’s coastal zone should be
developed to consistently apply to measures #11, 13, and 14 and should remain consistent for
reporting over time.

21

Plans should be developed or adopted by a local unit of government, with assistance from CZM
funding or staff, and can include state-mandated plans. Plans developed by a non-governmental
organization in cooperation with a governmental entity can be included. Plans or ordinances do
not need to be formally adopted by the local unit of government to be reported for this measure.
However, plans or ordinances developed at the state level without direct involvement by the
community reported are not eligible for this measure.
Completed Projects should implement actions, with assistance from CZM funding or staff, that
are called for in a polluted runoff management plan. That plan may or may not have been
developed using CZM funding or staff. However, do not include instances where CZM staff
involvement is limited primarily to permit review.
Report the following:
a) Number of coastal communities that developed or updated polluted runoff management
ordinances, polices, and plans, with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
b) Number of coastal communities that completed projects to implement polluted runoff
management plans, with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
Documentation Required:
• List each community, its county, and project reported using a unique identifier, the
associated CZM award number, an indication of the primary CZM role (funding or staff
support). If the state or territory does not use counties, please indicate the closest
equivalent.

15. Number of training events related to coastal dependent uses and community
development offered by the CZM Program and number of participants.
This measure captures training events offered by the CZM Program to support the goals for
Coastal Dependent Uses and Community Development. Training events related to Coastal
Dependent Uses and Community Development include the following types of processes to
increase local, state, and federal agency capacity and technical understanding: regulatory
programs and policies; assessment of competing uses; and other management issues; status and
trends of land uses; land use policies and programs; best management practices for sustainability;
and water quality.
See the description under Government Coordination measure #4 for a definition of eligible
Training Events and Participants.
Report the following:
a) Number of training events related to Coastal Dependent Uses and Community
Development offered by the Coastal Management Program and the number of
participants.
Documentation Required:

22

•

List each training event using a unique identifier, the corresponding number of
participants, and associated CZM award number. It is not necessary to list individual
participants; by submitting these data through the CZMAPMS, the program is certifying
its accuracy. Indicate if the activity was conducted jointly with a National Estuarine
Research Reserve.

23

Appendix A – Comprehensive List of Original Performance
Measures
In 2014, the Office for Coastal Management began an effort to streamline and improve the
Coastal Zone Management Act Performance Measurement System (CZMAPMS). The first step
in this effort was to work with state coastal management programs to identify a subset of
measures that states would no longer be required to report on beginning with the 2015 reporting
cycle. The goal for streamlining measures was to reduce the reporting burden on state coastal
management programs while maintaining a performance measurement system that demonstrates
the national impact of state coastal management programs and informs program management
decisions at the national level. For the second phase of this process, a national target will be
established for hazard resilience (PM11). As a result, PM11 was modified, based on feedback
from state coastal management programs, to better reflect the work the National CZM Program
does related to hazard resilience. The list below is retained to show how the CZMAPMS has
evolved through this update process.
Government Coordination & Decision Making (reported annually)
1. Percent of federal consistency projects reviewed where the project was modified due to
consultation with the applicant to meet State CZM policies, by category 13.
2. Number of acres of a) permit-estimated loss and b) required gain or mitigation due to
activities subject to CZM regulatory programs, by category 14.
3. Number of coordination events offered by the CZM Program and number of stakeholder
groups participating, by category15.
4. Number of a) education activities related to government coordination offered by the CZM
Program and number of participants and b) training events related to government
coordination offered by the CZM Program and number of participants.
Public Access (reported annually)
5. Number of public access sites a) created through acquisition or easement and b) enhanced
with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
6. Number of public access sites a) created and b) enhanced through CZM regulatory
requirements.
7. Number of a) education activities related to public access offered by the CZM Program
and number of participants and b) training events related to public access offered by the
CZM Program and number of participants.

13

Federal Agency Activity; Federal License or Permit; Outer Continental Shelf; and Federal Financial Assistance
Tidal (Great Lake) Wetlands; Beach and Dune; Near-shore Habitat; and Other Habitat Types
15
Government Coordination; Public Access; Coastal Habitat; Coastal Hazards; and Coastal Dependent Uses &
Community Development.
14

24

Coastal Habitat (reported annually)
8. a) Number of acres of coastal habitat protected by acquisition or easement and b) number
of acres and/or meters of coastal habitat under restoration with assistance from CZM
funding or staff, by category 16.
9. Number of a) marine debris removal activities completed with assistance from CZM
funding or staff and b) pounds of marine debris removed during those activities.
10. Number of a) education activities related to coastal habitat offered by the CZM Program
and number of participants and b) training events related to coastal habitat offered by the
CZM Program and number of participants.
Coastal Hazards (reported annually)
11. Number of a) state-level policies and plans; b) local-level policies and plans; c) projects
completed at the state-level; and d) projects completed at the local-level to reduce future
damage from coastal hazards with assistance from CZM funding or staff. communities in
the coastal zone that completed projects to a) reduce future damage from hazards and b)
increase public awareness of hazards with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
12. Number of a) education activities related to coastal hazards offered by the CZM Program
and number of participants and b) training events related to coastal hazards offered by the
CZM Program and number of participants related to coastal hazards.
Coastal Dependent Uses & Community Development (reported annually)
13. Number of coastal communities that a) developed or updated sustainable development
ordinances, policies, and plans; b) completed a project to implement a sustainable
development plan; c) developed or updated port or waterfront redevelopment ordinances,
policies, and plans; and d) completed a project to implement a port or waterfront
redevelopment plan with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
14. Number of coastal communities a) that developed or updated polluted runoff
management ordinances, policies, and plans and b) completed projects to implement
polluted runoff management plans with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
15. Number of a) education activities related to coastal dependent uses and community
development offered by the CZM Program and number of participants and b) training
events related to coastal dependent uses and community development offered by the
CZM Program and number of participants.
Financial Measures (reported annually)
16. Number of a) CZM federal and matching dollars spent and b) dollars leveraged by CZM
funds, by category17.
17. Number of CZM federal and matching dollars a) spent on technical assistance and b)
provided as financial assistance to local governments.
State-reported Contextual Measures (reported every 5 years)
Public Access
16

Tidal (Great Lake) Wetlands; Beach and Dune; Near-shore Habitat; and Other Habitat Types
Reporting categories for financial measures: a) Government Coordination; b) Public Access; c) Coastal Habitat; d)
Coastal Hazards; and e) Coastal Dependent Uses and Community Development
17

25

18. Number of acres in the coastal zone that are available for public access.
19. Miles of shoreline available for public access.
Coastal Habitat
20. Number of coastal and Great Lake waterbodies where water quality or habitat was
monitored with assistance from CZM funding or staff.
Coastal Hazards
21. Number of communities in the coastal zone that use setbacks, buffers, or land use policies
to direct development away from areas vulnerable to coastal hazards.
Coastal Dependent Uses & Community Development
22. Number of marinas in the coastal zone a) pledged to and b) designated by a Clean Marina
Program.

26