Sign-on to Urge Congress to Fund Coastal Management Programs

Recent reporting shows that State Coastal Zone Management Grants will be eliminated in the President’s proposed FY’26 federal budget. In response, CSO is pulling together a sign-on statement in support of Coastal Zone Management programs for businesses, local governments, community-based organizations, academic institutions, land trusts, tribal nations, other non-profits, and notable local citizens. We need to activate as much support as we can from around the United States to urge Congress to defend our critical programs. 

Please consider signing the statement below by May 23, 2025:

Coastal communities and businesses rely on State Coastal Zone Management Programs and the federal funding that supports state coastal management. 

The marine and coastal economy contributes more than $432 billion to the U.S. GDP, supporting millions of jobs, driving innovation, and sustaining quality of life in coastal communities. However, international competition, economic headwinds, port closures, weather disasters, and diminishing federal support threaten our coastal economy and our future. Significant investment is needed now. 

As local businesses, local leaders, and community organizations along America’s coast, we rely on State Coastal Zone Management Programs. These programs manage and protect coastal and marine resources and habitat, support public access and recreation, enable sustainable economic growth, protect working waterfronts, and build resilience to environmental threats facing our communities. We call on the Trump Administration and Congress to… 

• Fund Coastal Programs to enhance local coastal resilience, economic stability, public access, and coastal education. 

• Prioritize resilience through policies that balance sustainable development, economic growth, good jobs, and environmental stewardship and ensure long-term benefits for coastal communities and a stronger GDP. 

For decades, Coastal Programs across thirty-four coastal states and territories have advanced the effective management, beneficial use, protection, and development of the coastal zone. Coastal Programs balance multiple coastal uses including energy production, industrial development, shipping and commerce, fishing, recreation, tourism, habitat restoration, and conservation.  They implement long-term resilience planning, community engagement, risk communication, public access enhancements, and coastal land and water conservation through community grants and state and local input on federal actions that impact the coastal zone. 

Please support State Coastal Zone Management Programs! 

 Signed, 

 [Entity/individual, City, State] 

To sign-on to the statement visit:

CZM Funding Statement Sign-On Form