Section 309 Coastal Program Assessment and Strategy Development

Section 309 of the Coastal Zone Management Act, the  Coastal Zone Enhancement Program, encourages state and territorial coastal zone management programs (CZMPs) to strengthen and improve their federally approved programs in one or more of nine enhancement areas. The South Carolina CZMP, housed within SCDES BCM, undergoes an associated self-assessment every five years to identify enhancement opportunities within each of the nine areas. Based on assessment results and stakeholder feedback, CZMPs develop strategies for high priority enhancement areas. The Coastal Services section assists with program assessment, as well as strategy development and implementation.  

2021-2025 Section 309 Strategies 

SCDES BCM is currently implementing two, multi-year strategies which are outlined in the  South Carolina Coastal Management Program’s Section 309 Assessment and Strategy for 2021-2025. The priority enhancement areas associated with these strategies are Marine Debris and Coastal Hazards.