Our Office

Helping Communities Thrive

NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management serves to increase the resilience of the nation’s coastal zone by helping communities and businesses take the actions needed to keep coastal residents safe, the economy sound, and natural resources functioning.

The organization works with partners from all sectors to address coastal issues and find solutions. The primary programs are represented below.

• Digital Coast (authorized by the Digital Coast Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1467). This go-to resource provides data, tools, and training most needed by coastal communities. These resources aid decision-making for critical coastal issues such as infrastructure investments, coastal flooding, and storm preparation. More than 600+ organizations contribute content. The Digital Coast Partnership, comprising nine external partner organizations, helps identify critical needs and ensure NOAA’s products and services are fully relevant and serve constituent needs.


• National Coastal Zone Management Program (authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1451 et seq.). This unique federal and state partnership provides the nation’s most direct implementation of coastal management policy and action. Thirty-four states have a federally approved coastal management program. The focus is on keeping the nation’s coastal economy strong by balancing the need for development, recreation and tourism, and natural resource protection and conservation.


• National Estuarine Research Reserve System (authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1451 et seq.). From Alaska to Maine and Hawaii, the national network of 30 estuarine reserves leads the nation’s estuary science efforts, producing groundbreaking research, identifying long-term environmental trends, and providing habitat data that is used to make communities and environments more resilient. Research reserves are embedded within their community and are trusted partners and resources for community stewardship, educational and volunteer programs, and recreational opportunities.


• NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (authorized by the Coral Reef Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. § 6401 et seq.). This program provides the sound science and trend information needed to address threats to coral reefs. This natural resource boosts state and local economies by reducing storm impacts and through fishing and tourism.


• National Coastal Resilience Fund (authorized by the National Oceans and Coastal Security Act, 16 U.S.C. § 7501–7). This partnership between NOAA and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation supports projects that conserve and protect fish and wildlife habitat, which in turn provides important flood and storm protection that strengthens the resilience of coastal communities.


• Regional Ocean Partnerships (authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023, 16 U.S.C. § 1468). These organizations, convened voluntarily by coastal governors, ensure greater efficiency by coordinating the management of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes natural resources. This includes the development and sharing of data and information, as well as the implementation of actions needed to keep the entire region resilient and productive.

Read these impact stories to learn more. Contact us should you have questions. And thank you. It is both our privilege and responsibility to serve our nation, our coasts, and our communities.

Strategic Plans

• NOAA Office for Coastal Management
  • National Coastal Zone Management Program
  • National Estuarine Research Reserve System
  • NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
  • Digital Coast