The Meeting Point: How States and Federal Government Collaborate on Coastal Zones | Capitol Beach

August 22, 2023

What does Federal Consistency mean for the coast?

On The Capitol Beach, host Derek Brockbank is joined by Adam Schempp with the Environmental Law Institute and Daniel Govoni with North Carolina Division of Coastal Management to explore federal consistency as established by the Coastal Zone Management Act. Federal consistency is a rare policy that requires the federal government to coordinate with a state before any federal action takes place in that state’s coastal zone. Each state, with the approval of NOAA, can establish “enforceable policies” that determine what state rules and regulations can trigger federal consistency. Daniel is a federal consistency coordinator for NC and provides local examples and a state perspective; Adam and ELI have recently released a report entitled, “Strong Enforceable Policies: Examples and Tips”, and provide a national explanation. Further learning on this topic can be done through Digital Coast’s learning module on federal consistency.  This podcast gets wonky – which I think we mention 5 or 6 times during the pod! – but provides a great overview of complicated but important coastal policy.

Show Transcription
This transcription was generated by a computer. Please excuse any errors.
Derek Brockbank

Derek Brockbank is Executive Director of Coastal States Organization (CSO), which represents the nation’s Coastal States, Territories, and Commonwealths on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes issues. With two decades of experience in Washington DC on coastal adaptation policy and organizational development, Derek is connecting state coastal management programs with federal agencies and resources in order to address the greatest coastal challenges facing society. He previously served as executive director for the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) where he led the strategic planning and outreach, government affairs, and development goals of the nation’s leading organization advocating for beach and coastal restoration. Prior to starting with ASBPA, Derek worked as campaign director for a coalition effort to restore the Mississippi River Delta and Coastal Louisiana, and was part of a gulf-wide campaign to pass the RESTORE Act, securing billions of dollars for Gulf Coast restoration. This followed up on his work with National Wildlife Federation on climate adaption. Derek grew up in New York City and got his coastal education from an early age playing on the beaches of Long Island, and kayaking and fishing in Peconic Bay.