---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1456–1"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1456–1"
heading: "Authorization of the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1456-1"
units:
  - "Chapter 33 — Coastal Zone Management"
---

# §1456–1. Authorization of the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) may conduct a Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program, in cooperation with appropriate [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), regional, and other [units](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of government, for the purposes of protecting important coastal and estuarine [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) that have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical, or aesthetic values, or that are threatened by conversion from their natural, undeveloped, or recreational [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) to other uses or could be managed or restored to effectively conserve, enhance, or restore ecological function. The program shall be administered by the National Ocean Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management.
- (b) **Property acquisition grants—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) shall make grants under the program to [coastal states](/usc/16/1453.md?p=4) with approved [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) [management plans](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) or National Estuarine Research Reserve [units](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) for the purpose of acquiring property or interests in property described in [subsection (a)](#a) that will further the goals of—
  - (1) a [Coastal Zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) [Management Plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) or Program approved under this chapter;
  - (2) a National Estuarine Research Reserve [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k);
  - (3) a regional or [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) watershed protection or [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) involving [coastal states](/usc/16/1453.md?p=4) with approved [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) [management programs](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12); or
  - (4) a [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) coastal land [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) plan that is consistent with an approved [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12).
- (c) **Grant process—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) shall allocate [funds](/usc/16/1453.md?p=9) to [coastal states](/usc/16/1453.md?p=4) or National Estuarine Research Reserves under this section through a competitive grant process in accordance with guidelines that meet the following requirements:
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) shall consult with the [coastal state](/usc/16/1453.md?p=4)’s [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12), any National Estuarine Research Reserve in that [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), and the lead agency designated by the Governor for coordinating the implementation of this section (if different from the [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12)).
  - (2) Each participating [coastal state](/usc/16/1453.md?p=4), after consultation with local governmental entities and other interested stakeholders, shall identify priority conservation needs within the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), the values to be protected by inclusion of lands in the program, and the threats to those values that should be avoided.
  - (3) Each participating [coastal state](/usc/16/1453.md?p=4) shall to the extent practicable ensure that the [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) of property or easements shall complement working waterfront needs.
  - (4) The applicant shall identify the values to be protected by inclusion of the lands in the program, management activities that are planned and the manner in which they may affect the values identified, and any other information from the landowner relevant to administration and management of the land.
  - (5) Awards shall be based on demonstrated need for protection and ability to successfully leverage [funds](/usc/16/1453.md?p=9) among participating entities, including Federal programs, regional organizations, [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) and other governmental [units](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4), landowners, corporations, or private organizations.
  - (6) The governor, or the lead agency designated by the governor for coordinating the implementation of this section, where appropriate in consultation with the appropriate [local government](/usc/16/1453.md?p=11), shall determine that the application is consistent with the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a)’s or territory’s approved [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) plan, program, and policies prior to submittal to the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16).
  - (7)
    - (A) Priority shall be given to lands described in [subsection (a)](#a) that can be effectively managed and protected and that have significant ecological value.
    - (B) Of the [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) that meet the standard in [subparagraph (A)](#c-7-A), priority shall be given to lands that—
      - (i) are under an imminent threat of conversion to a use that will degrade or otherwise diminish their natural, undeveloped, or recreational [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a); and
      - (ii) serve to mitigate the adverse impacts caused by coastal population growth in the coastal environment.
  - (8) In developing guidelines under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) shall consult with [coastal states](/usc/16/1453.md?p=4), other Federal agencies, and other interested stakeholders with expertise in land [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) and conservation procedures.
  - (9) Eligible [coastal states](/usc/16/1453.md?p=4) or National Estuarine Research Reserves may allocate grants to [local governments](/usc/16/1453.md?p=11) or agencies eligible for assistance under [section 1455a(e) of this title](/usc/16/1455a.md?p=e).
  - (10) The [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) shall develop performance measures that the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) shall use to evaluate and report on the program’s effectiveness in accomplishing its purposes, and shall submit such evaluations to Congress triennially.
- (d) **Limitations and private property protections—**
  - (1) A grant awarded under this section may be used to purchase land or an interest in land, including an easement, only from a willing seller. Any such purchase shall not be the result of a forced [taking](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) under this section. Nothing in this section requires a private property [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) to participate in the program under this section.
  - (2) Any interest in land, including any easement, acquired with a grant under this section shall not be considered to create any new liability, or have any effect on liability under any other law, of any private property [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) with respect to any [person](/usc/16/1453.md?p=14) injured on the private property.
  - (3) Nothing in this section requires a private property [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) to provide access (including Federal, [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), or [local government](/usc/16/1453.md?p=11) access) to or use of private property unless such property or an interest in such property (including a conservation easement) has been purchased with [funds](/usc/16/1453.md?p=9) made available under this section.
- (e) **Recognition of authority to control land use—** Nothing in this chapter modifies the authority of Federal, [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), or [local governments](/usc/16/1453.md?p=11) to regulate [land use](/usc/16/1453.md?p=10).
- (f) **Matching requirements—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) may not make a grant under the program unless the Federal [funds](/usc/16/1453.md?p=9) are matched by non-Federal [funds](/usc/16/1453.md?p=9) in accordance with this subsection.
  - (2) **Cost share requirement—**
    - (A) **In general—** Grant [funds](/usc/16/1453.md?p=9) under the program shall require a 100 percent match from other non-Federal sources.
    - (B) **Waiver of requirement—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) may grant a waiver of [subparagraph (A)](#f-2-A) for underserved communities, communities that have an inability to draw on other sources of funding because of the small population or low income of the community, or for other reasons the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) deems appropriate and consistent with the purposes of the program.
  - (3) **Other Federal funds—** Where financial assistance awarded under this section represents only a portion of the total cost of a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4), funding from other Federal sources may be applied to the cost of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4). Each portion shall be subject to match requirements under the applicable provision of law.
  - (4) **Source of matching cost share—** For purposes of [paragraph (2)(A)](#f-2-A), the non-Federal cost share for a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) may be determined by [taking](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) into account the following:
    - (A) The value of land or a conservation easement may be used by a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) applicant as non-Federal match, if the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) determines that—
      - (i) the land meets the criteria set forth in [section 2(b)](/usc/16/2.md)[^1] and is acquired in the period beginning 3 years before the date of the submission of the grant application and ending 3 years after the date of the award of the grant;
      - (ii) the value of the land or easement is held by a non-governmental organization included in the grant application in perpetuity for conservation purposes of the program; and
      - (iii) the land or easement is connected either physically or through a conservation planning process to the land or easement that would be acquired.
    - (B) The appraised value of the land or conservation easement at the time of the grant closing will be considered and applied as the non-Federal cost share.
    - (C) Costs associated with land [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1), land management planning, remediation, restoration, and enhancement may be used as non-Federal match if the activities are identified in the plan and expenses are incurred within the period of the grant award, or, for lands described in[^2] (A), within the same time limits described therein. These costs may include either cash or in-kind contributions.
- (g) **Reservation of funds for National Estuarine Research Reserve sites—** No less than 15 percent of [funds](/usc/16/1453.md?p=9) made available under this section shall be available for [acquisitions](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) benefitting National Estuarine Research Reserves.
- (h) **Limit on administrative costs—** No more than 5 percent of the [funds](/usc/16/1453.md?p=9) made available to the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) under this section shall be used by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) for planning or administration of the program. The [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) shall provide a report to Congress with an account of all expenditures under this section for fiscal year 2009 and triennially thereafter.
- (i) **Title and management of acquired property—** If any property is acquired in whole or in part with [funds](/usc/16/1453.md?p=9) made available through a grant under this section, the grant recipient shall provide—
  - (1) such assurances as the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) may require that—
    - (A) the title to the property will be held by the grant recipient or another appropriate public agency designated by the recipient in perpetuity;
    - (B) the property will be managed in a manner that is consistent with the purposes for which the land entered into the program and shall not convert such property to other uses; and
    - (C) if the property or interest in land is sold, exchanged, or divested, [funds](/usc/16/1453.md?p=9) equal to the current value will be returned to the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) in accordance with applicable Federal law for redistribution in the grant process; and
  - (2) certification that the property (including any interest in land) will be acquired from a willing seller.
- (j) **Requirement for property used for non-Federal match—** If the grant recipient elects to use any land or interest in land held by a non-governmental organization as a non-Federal match under [subsection (g)](#g), the grant recipient must to the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16)’s satisfaction demonstrate in the grant application that such land or interest will satisfy the same requirements as the lands or interests in lands acquired under the program.
- (k) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Conservation easement—** The term “conservation easement” includes an easement or restriction, recorded deed, or a reserve interest deed where the grantee [acquires](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) all rights, title, and interest in a property, that do not conflict with the goals of this section except those rights, title, and interests that may run with the land that are expressly reserved by a grantor and are agreed to at the time of purchase.
  - (2) **Interest in property—** The term “interest in property” includes a conservation easement.
- (l) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) to carry out this section $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be “subsection (b)”.
[^2]: So in original. Probably should be followed by “subparagraph”.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 307A, as added Pub. L. 111–11, title XII, § 12502, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1442.)