Since 2008, the Virginia CZM Program has been working to understand the value of Virginia’s ocean resources to the Commonwealth and how best to manage both our human uses and ocean resources.  State jurisdiction only extends out to three nautical miles, therefore Virginia has been working closely with the federal agencies responsible for managing the ocean beyond three miles as well as stakeholders who depend on the use and health of our ocean.  In the “Findings” section of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act, section “m” states:

Because of their proximity to and reliance upon the ocean and its resources, the coastal states have substantial and significant interests in the protection, management, and development of the resources of the exclusive economic zone that can only be served by the active participation of coastal states in all Federal programs affecting such resources and, wherever appropriate, by the development of state ocean resource plans as part of their federally approved coastal zone management programs.

Virginia CZM works at both the Mid-Atlantic regional scale with NY, NJ, DE, and MD as well as Virginia-specific planning.

For information on Regional Ocean Planning

For information to Virginia Ocean Planning