Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990

The Coastal Zone Management Act amendments of 1990 establish a separate non-point source pollution control program for coastal states. States are required to develop non-point source control programs that are enforceable under state laws. If a state does not comply, funds provided under the Coastal Zone Management Act are withheld.

The issue of extending the concepts in the Coastal Zone Management Act to the CWA has been discussed. This would make all states’ non-point source programs operate under the same rules and be enforceable. While there is logic to this approach, there is likely to be strong opposition to this expansion, making it unlikely to be approved.