Federal Consistency
The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972 gives states with federally
approved coastal programs the lead in coordinating and strengthening coastal zone management acitivites of
all levels of government. Specifically, the CZMA gives state coastal programs the ability to require federal
agencies to carry out their activities within the coastal zone in ways that are consistent with the state
costal program's policies. Federal consistency is the review of federal projects for consistency with state
coastal policies.
Federal consistency applies to any activity that is in, or affects land use,
water use or any natural resource in the coastal zone, if the activity is conducted by or on behalf of a
federal government agency, requires a federal license or permit, receives federal funding, or is a plan
for exploration, development or production from any area leased under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
The Coastal Program has published a guide to the federal consistency process
in Maryland. The guide is available as an Adobe *.pdf file:
"A Guide to Maryland's Coastal Zone Management Program Fedearal
Consistency Process"
If you wish to download the document, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you do not
have the reader, you can get a free copy at http://www.adobe.com/
If you are unable to download this file or would like a hard copy please contact the Coastal Zone Managment
Division at 410-260-8730.
