Federal Consistency

Image Federal Consistency The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972 established the federal Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program, a unique federal-state partnership that provides a basis for responsibly developing the nation’s coastal communities and natural resources. Membership in the federal CZM Program allows a state to participate in the federal consistency review process and have greater influence over federal actions occurring in the state’s coastal area. Federal consistency under the CZMA requires the federal government to comply with a state’s federally approved CMP when taking actions that are likely to affect coastal resources. In 1997, the Texas Coastal Management Program (CMP), administered by the Texas General Land Office (GLO), became a federally approved member of the CZM Program. The Texas CMP is a “networked program” that links together the existing federal entities that manage various aspects of coastal resource uses. Upon certification of the Texas CMP, the GLO can conduct federal consistency reviews of federal agency actions that require a license or permit activity, federal agency activities and development projects, and federal financial assistance requests. Texas’s federal consistency review authority specifically grants Texas authority to concur, or object based on an analysis of how consistent the proposed federal action is with the Texas CMP’s goals and enforceable policies. Federal Consistency Guidance The GLO’s goal is to use the federal consistency processes to provide open communication and coordination with federal agencies and applicants and provide the public with an opportunity to participate in the process. The Texas CMP Federal Consistency Guidance is a one-stop training and guidance document intended for federal entities that conduct consistency reviews. This document is meant to facilitate understanding of the GLO’s federal consistency review requirements and associated processes and is based on the 1996 Texas CMP Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). This document includes detailed information regarding coastal natural resource areas (CNRAs), CMP goals and enforceable policies, federal consistency review processes, and permitting assistance provided by the GLO. Federal Consistency Guidance Manual This document reflects the new federal consistency procedures in 31 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 30 that became effective on July 10, 2023. TX-2025-01 Proposed Program Change Submission to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office for Coastal Management Texas General Land Office, on behalf of the State of Texas, has submitted a request to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office for Coastal Management for approval of changes to the federally approved Texas Coastal Management Program. This submission covers program changes from December 1, 2022 through July 10, 2023. A public notice has been posted to the Public Notices page (see Visit the Public Notices Page link in the Section below). View the TX-2025-1 Decision Letter View the TX-2025-1 Table of Approved Changes Public Notices As required by federal law, the public is given an opportunity to comment on the consistency of proposed activities in the coastal zone undertaken or authorized by federal agencies. Pursuant to 31 TAC §30.35, §30.32 and §30.41, the public comment period extends 30 days from the date published on the Texas General Land Office web site. Visit the Public Notices Page Submit a Consistency Certification or Determination