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Federal Consistency Program

The Federal Consistency Unit of the California Coastal Commission implements the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972 as it applies to federal activities, development projects, permits and licenses, and support to state and local governments. In the CZMA,

Congress created a federal and state partnership for management of coastal resources. The CZMA encourages states to develop coastal management programs, through, among other means, the federal consistency procedures of the CZMA. Upon certification of a state’s coastal management program, a federal agency must conduct its activities (including federal development projects, permits and licenses, and assistance to state and local governments) in a manner consistent with the state’s certified program. The processes established to implement this requirement is called a consistency determination for federal activities and development projects and a consistency certification for federal permits and licenses and federal support to state and local agencies.

The federal government certified the California Coastal Management Program (CCMP) in 1978. The enforceable policies of that document are Chapter 3 of the California Coastal Act of 1976. All consistency documents are reviewed for consistency with these policies. The Commission’s goal is to use the federal consistency process to provide open communication and coordination with federal agencies and applicants and provide the public with an opportunity to participate in the process. The Commission believes that this process allows it to authorize federal activities in manner that minimizes impacts to coastal resources and is consistent with the CCMP.

Legal/Regulatory Underpinnings

Federal Consistency Documents

Sample Consistency Determinations

Sample Consistency Certifications

These consistency certifications were submitted as a consistency determination by a federal agency and the Commission staff has modified them to reflect the requirements of a consistency certification submitted by an applicant for a federal permit

Please note that, as of April 25, 2008, the CCMP has been amended to require filing fees for consistency certifications.  The fees for consistency certifications are the same as the fees for coastal development permits (CDPs).  Here are the approved regulations regarding the new filing fees.


DEADLINES FOR CONSISTENCY DETERMINATIONS
 

HEARING DATE SUBMITTAL DEADLINE
November 2007 September 20, 2007
December 2007 October 18 2007
January 2008 November 15, 2005
February 2008 December 13, 2007
March 2008 January 17, 2008
April 2008 February 14, 2008
May 2008 March 20, 2008
June 2008 April 17, 2008
July 2008 May 15, 2008
August 2008 June 19, 2008
September 2008 July 24 2008
October 2008 August 21, 2008
November 2008 September 18, 2008

 See the meeting agenda for specifics as well as our meeting dates/locations page.