States / Louisiana

Louisiana

Coastal Management

The focus is on managing coastal areas to increase resilience, with an emphasis on balancing environmental, economic, and human wellbeing. Mandated by the Coastal Zone Management Act, the two federal programs designed for this task are the National Coastal Zone Management Program and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Programs are administered, on the federal side, by NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, in partnership with the coastal states.

The sun rises over water with a bridge in the background.

State Programs

Coastal Zone Management

Louisiana Office of Coastal Management. Established in 1980, the program regulates development activities and manages the resources of the coastal zone, especially those that have a direct and significant impact on coastal waters. The office comprises two closely related divisions: the Permits/Mitigation Division and the Interagency Affairs and Field Services Division. Their purpose is to maintain, protect, develop, restore, and enhance the coastal region of Louisiana.