The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972 established a federal program to help states in planning and managing the development and protection of coastal areas through the creation of a Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP). The CZMA is primarily a planning act, rather than an environmental protection or regulatory act. Under its provisions, states can receive grants from the federal government to develop and implement coastal zone programs as long as the programs meet with federal approval. State participation in the program is voluntary, and the authority is focused in state governments. In 2002, 99.9% of the national shoreline and coastal waters were managed by state CZMPs.

In the 1960s, public concern began to focus on dredging and filling, industrial siting, offshore oil development, and second home developments in the coastal zone. The coastal zone law was developed in the context of increased development...