States / Alaska
Alaska
Coastal Management
The focus is on managing coastal areas to increase resilience, with an emphasis on balancing environmental, economic, and human wellbeing. Mandated by the Coastal Zone Management Act, the two federal programs designed for this task are the National Coastal Zone Management Program and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Programs are administered, on the federal side, by NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, in partnership with the coastal states.
State Programs
Coastal Zone Management
As of July 1, 2011, Alaska does not have a federally approved coastal management program and federal consistency does not apply to Alaska. Contact NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management for additional information.
National Estuarine Research Reserves
Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Designated in 1999 and protecting 372,000 acres, this reserve is located 150 miles south of Anchorage on the western coast of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. This is the largest site in the national reserve system, and is one of the most productive and intensively used estuaries in the state. Home to Pacific halibut and all five species of Pacific salmon, the bay is an economic driver in a region heavily dependent on commercial and sport fishing. (See handout)
Impact Stories
Stories that showcase the recent work of this state’s coastal management efforts.
- Restoration and Protection of Coastal Wetlands in Village of Kotlik, Alaska
- Stronger, Together: Expanding Climate Adaptation Technical Assistance for Frontline Alaska Native Communities
- Bristol Bay Guardians
- Bristol Bay Climate Adaptation Planning Program
- Designing Innovative Nature-Based Solutions to Improve Habitat and Build Resiliency in Kake, Alaska
- Restoration and Protection of Coastal Wetlands in Village of Kotlik
- Improving our Coasts with High-Resolution Land Cover Data
- Conservation of Peatlands near Kachemak Bay
- Revolutionary Land Cover Data for Alaska
- NOAA Strengthens Resilience Before, During, and After Disasters
- Largest-Ever West Coast Oyster Data Map
- Blue Carbon Enterprises Lessen Climate Change Damage
- NOAA Provides Assistance to Coastal Communities
- Alaska’s Digital Coast Fellow Boosts Community Storm Resilience
- NOAA Helps Alaskans Plan for Imminent Threats and Future Resilience
Additional Resources
*Fast Fact Sources:
People: American Community Survey Five-Year Estimates
Beaches and Estuaries: Shoreline Mileage of the United States
Employment and Economy:
Marine Economy for the Coastal U.S.
States
Marine Economy for the U.S. Territories