Program Evaluations
NOAA conducts periodic evaluations of state and territorial coastal management programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves as called for in the Coastal Zone Management Act. Evaluations assess accomplishments and needs and include recommendations for program enhancements. There are opportunities for the public to provide written comments or attend a public meeting. A final evaluation report summarizes the process and results.
2025 Evaluations
Provided below is a list of programs in the current evaluation cycle. Public input is encouraged; citizens may attend a public meeting or email comments to czma.evaluations@noaa.gov.
Rookery Bay Estuarine Research Reserve
Evaluator: Susie Holst Rice, Susie.Holst@noaa.gov
Written Comments: Email written comments to the evaluator at czma.evaluations@noaa.gov. Include “Comments on Performance Evaluation of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve” in the subject line of the message by June 20, 2025.
Public Meeting: Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road, Naples Florida 34113.
Program Information: Management Plan, Site Profile, and Previous Evaluation Findings. If you would like a copy of the most recent performance report, contact the evaluator.
North Inlet–Winyah Bay Estuarine Research Reserve
Evaluator: Pam Kylstra, Pam.Kylstra@noaa.gov
Written Comments: Email written comments to the evaluator at czma.evaluations@noaa.gov. Include “Comments on Performance Evaluation of the North Inlet–Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve” in the subject line of the message by August 29, 2025.
Public Meeting: Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time by registering as a speaker at https://forms.gle/1ye3VTibrkiWHsfg9. Please register by Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. While advance registration is requested, registration will remain open until the meeting closes.
Program Information: Management Plan, Site Profile and Previous Evaluation Findings. If you would like a copy of the most recent performance report, contact the evaluator
Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program
Evaluator: Kathleen Leyden, Kathleen.Leyden@noaa.gov
Written Comments: Email written comments to the evaluator at czma.evaluations@noaa.gov. Include “Comments on Performance Evaluation of Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program” in the subject line of the message by August 29, 2025.
Public Meeting: Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time. Register at https://forms.gle/BagT64QVpgKtmrnN8. Please register by Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. While advance registration is requested, registration will remain open until the meeting closes.
Program Information: Nonpoint Program and Previous Evaluation Findings. If you would like a copy of the most recent performance report, contact the evaluator.
Georgia Coastal Management Program
Evaluator: Michael Migliori, Michael.Migliori@noaa.gov
Written Comments: Email written comments to the evaluator at czma.evaluations@noaa.gov. Include “Comments on Performance Evaluation of Georgia Coastal Management Program” in the subject line of the message.
Public Meeting: To be scheduled in November 2025.
Program Information: Assessment and Strategy, Nonpoint Program, and Previous Evaluation Findings. If you would like a copy of the most recent performance report, contact the evaluator.
Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve
Evaluator: Carrie Hall, Carrie.Hall@noaa.gov
Written Comments: Email written comments to the evaluator at czma.evaluations@noaa.gov, by Friday, March 7, 2025. Include “Comments on Performance Evaluation of Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve” in the subject line of the message.
Public Meeting: Monday, February 24, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Register here. View the Federal Register Notice.
Program Information: Management Plan, Site Profile, and Previous Evaluation Findings. If you would like a copy of the most recent performance report, contact the evaluator.
Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
Evaluator: Carrie Hall, Carrie.Hall@noaa.gov
Written Comments: Email written comments to the evaluator at czma.evaluations@noaa.gov. Include “Comments on Performance Evaluation of Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve” in the subject line of the message.
Public Meeting: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at Mather Auditorium, Wells Reserve, 342 Laudholm Farm Road, Wells, Maine 04090.
Program Information: Management Plan, Site Profile, and Previous Evaluation Findings. If you would like a copy of the most recent performance report, contact the evaluator.
Kachemak Bay Estuarine Research Reserve - Postponed
Evaluator: Benjamin Reder, Benjamin.Reder@noaa.gov
Written Comments: Email written comments to the evaluator at czma.evaluations@noaa.gov. Include “Comments on Performance Evaluation of Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve” in the subject line of the message.
Public Meeting: To be scheduled.
Program Information: Management Plan, Site Profile, and Previous Evaluation Findings. If you would like a copy of the most recent performance report, contact the evaluator.
Washington Coastal Management Program - Postponed
Evaluator: Michael Migliori, Michael.Migliori@noaa.gov
Written Comments: Email written comments to the evaluator at czma.evaluations@noaa.gov. Include “Comments on Performance Evaluation of Washington Coastal Management Program” in the subject line of the message.
Public Meeting: To be determined.
Program Information: Nonpoint Program, and Previous Evaluation Findings. If you would like a copy of the most recent performance report, contact the evaluator.
Reports
- Guidance for Evaluation Process
- Guidance for Reporting Evaluation Recommendations
- Copy of Pilot Project Spreadsheets
- Recommendations on the Evaluation Process
- State Evaluation Findings
- External Evaluation of State Coastal Zone Management and National Estuarine Research Reserve System Programs
For more information, contact us.