---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1456"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1456"
heading: "Coordination and cooperation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1456"
units:
  - "Chapter 33 — Coastal Zone Management"
---

# §1456. Coordination and cooperation

- (a) **Federal agencies—** In carrying out his functions and responsibilities under this chapter, the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) shall consult with, cooperate with, and, to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate his activities with other interested Federal agencies.
- (b) **Adequate consideration of views of Federal agencies—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) shall not approve the [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12) submitted by a [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) pursuant to [section 1455 of this title](/usc/16/1455.md) unless the views of Federal agencies principally affected by such program have been adequately considered.
- (c) **Consistency of Federal activities with State management programs; Presidential exemption; certification—**
  - (1)
    - (A) Each Federal agency activity within or outside the [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) that affects any land or [water use](/usc/16/1453.md?p=18) or natural resource of the [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) shall be carried out in a manner which is consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the [enforceable policies](/usc/16/1453.md?p=6a) of approved [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) [management programs](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12). A Federal agency activity shall be subject to this paragraph unless it is subject to paragraph [(2)](#c-2) or [(3)](#c-3).
    - (B) After any final judgment, decree, or order of any Federal court that is appealable under section [1291](/usc/28/1291.md) or [1292](/usc/28/1292.md) of title 28, or under any other applicable provision of Federal law, that a specific Federal agency activity is not in compliance with [subparagraph (A)](#c-1-A), and certification by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) that mediation under [subsection (h)](#h) is not likely to result in such compliance, the President may, upon written request from the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16), exempt from compliance those elements of the Federal agency activity that are found by the Federal court to be inconsistent with an approved [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) program, if the President determines that the activity is in the paramount interest of the United States. No such exemption shall be granted on the basis of a lack of appropriations unless the President has specifically requested such appropriations as part of the budgetary process, and the Congress has failed to make available the requested appropriations.
    - (C) Each Federal agency carrying out an activity subject to [paragraph (1)](#c-1) shall provide a consistency determination to the relevant [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) agency designated under [section 1455(d)(6) of this title](/usc/16/1455.md?p=d-6) at the earliest practicable time, but in no case later than 90 days before final approval of the Federal activity unless both the Federal agency and the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) agency agree to a different schedule.
  - (2) Any Federal agency which shall undertake any development [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) in the [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) of a [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) shall insure that the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) is, to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with the [enforceable policies](/usc/16/1453.md?p=6a) of approved [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) [management programs](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12).
  - (3)
    - (A) After final approval by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) of a [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a)’s [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12), any applicant for a required Federal license or permit to conduct an activity, in or outside of the [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1), affecting any land or [water use](/usc/16/1453.md?p=18) or natural resource of the [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) of that [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) shall provide in the application to the licensing or permitting agency a certification that the proposed activity complies with the [enforceable policies](/usc/16/1453.md?p=6a) of the [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a)’s approved program and that such activity will be conducted in a manner consistent with the program. At the same time, the applicant shall furnish to the [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or its designated agency a copy of the certification, with all necessary information and data. Each [coastal state](/usc/16/1453.md?p=4) shall establish procedures for public notice in the case of all such certifications and, to the extent it deems appropriate, procedures for public hearings in connection therewith. At the earliest practicable time, the [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or its designated agency shall notify the Federal agency concerned that the [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) concurs with or objects to the applicant’s certification. If the [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or its designated agency fails to furnish the required notification within six months after receipt of its copy of the applicant’s certification, the [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a)’s concurrence with the certification shall be conclusively presumed. No license or permit shall be granted by the Federal agency until the [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or its designated agency has concurred with the applicant’s certification or until, by the [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a)’s failure to act, the concurrence is conclusively presumed, unless the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16), on his own initiative or upon appeal by the applicant, finds after providing a reasonable opportunity for detailed comments from the Federal agency involved and from the [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), that the activity is consistent with the objectives of this chapter or is otherwise necessary in the interest of national security.
    - (B) After the [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12) of any [coastal state](/usc/16/1453.md?p=4) has been approved by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) under [section 1455 of this title](/usc/16/1455.md), any [person](/usc/16/1453.md?p=14) who submits to the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) of the Interior any plan for the exploration or development of, or production from, any [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) which has been leased under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ([43 U.S.C. 1331](/usc/43/1331.md) et seq.) and regulations under such Act shall, with respect to any exploration, development, or production described in such plan and affecting any land or [water use](/usc/16/1453.md?p=18) or natural resource of the [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) of such [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), attach to such plan a certification that each activity which is described in detail in such plan complies with the [enforceable policies](/usc/16/1453.md?p=6a) of such [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a)’s approved [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12) and will be carried out in a manner consistent with such program. No Federal official or agency shall grant such [person](/usc/16/1453.md?p=14) any license or permit for any activity described in detail in such plan until such [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or its designated agency receives a copy of such certification and plan, together with any other necessary data and information, and until—
      - (i) such [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or its designated agency, in accordance with the procedures required to be established by such [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) pursuant to [subparagraph (A)](#c-3-A), concurs with such [person](/usc/16/1453.md?p=14)’s certification and notifies the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) and the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) of the Interior of such concurrence;
      - (ii) concurrence by such [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) with such certification is conclusively presumed as provided for in [subparagraph (A)](#c-3-A), except if such [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) fails to concur with or object to such certification within three months after receipt of its copy of such certification and supporting information, such [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) shall provide the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16), the appropriate federal agency, and such [person](/usc/16/1453.md?p=14) with a written statement describing the status of review and the basis for further delay in issuing a final decision, and if such statement is not so provided, concurrence by such [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) with such certification shall be conclusively presumed; or
      - (iii) the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) finds, pursuant to [subparagraph (A)](#c-3-A), that each activity which is described in detail in such plan is consistent with the objectives of this chapter or is otherwise necessary in the interest of national security.

      If a [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) concurs or is conclusively presumed to concur, or if the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) makes such a finding, the provisions of [subparagraph (A)](#c-3-A) are not applicable with respect to such [person](/usc/16/1453.md?p=14), such [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), and any Federal license or permit which is required to conduct any activity affecting [land uses](/usc/16/1453.md?p=10) or [water uses](/usc/16/1453.md?p=18) in the [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) of such [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) which is described in detail in the plan to which such concurrence or finding applies. If such [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) objects to such certification and if the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) fails to make a finding under [clause (iii)](#c-3-B-iii) with respect to such certification, or if such [person](/usc/16/1453.md?p=14) fails substantially to comply with such plan as submitted, such [person](/usc/16/1453.md?p=14) shall submit an amendment to such plan, or a new plan, to the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) of the Interior. With respect to any amendment or new plan submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) of the Interior pursuant to the preceding sentence, the applicable time period for purposes of concurrence by conclusive presumption under [subparagraph (A)](#c-3-A) is 3 months.

- (d) **Application of local governments for Federal assistance; relationship of activities with approved management programs—** [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) and [local governments](/usc/16/1453.md?p=11) submitting applications for Federal assistance under other Federal programs, in or outside of the [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1), affecting any land or [water use](/usc/16/1453.md?p=18) of natural resource of the [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) shall indicate the views of the appropriate [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or local agency as to the relationship of such activities to the approved [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12) for the [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1). Such applications shall be submitted and coordinated in accordance with the provisions of [section 6506 of title 31](/usc/31/6506.md). Federal agencies shall not approve proposed [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) that are inconsistent with the [enforceable policies](/usc/16/1453.md?p=6a) of a [coastal state](/usc/16/1453.md?p=4)’s [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12), except upon a finding by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) that such [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) is consistent with the purposes of this chapter or necessary in the interest of national security.
- (e) **Construction with other laws—** Nothing in this chapter shall be construed—
  - (1) to diminish either Federal or [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) jurisdiction, responsibility, or rights in the field of planning, development, or control of water resources, submerged lands, or navigable waters; nor to displace, supersede, limit, or modify any interstate compact or the jurisdiction or responsibility of any legally established joint or common agency of two or more [states](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) or of two or more [states](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) and the Federal Government; nor to limit the authority of Congress to authorize and [fund](/usc/16/1453.md?p=9) [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4);
  - (2) as superseding, modifying, or repealing existing laws applicable to the various Federal agencies; nor to affect the jurisdiction, powers, or prerogatives of the International Joint [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c), United States and Canada, the Permanent Engineering Board, and the United States operating entity or entities established pursuant to the Columbia River Basin Treaty, signed at Washington, January 17, 1961, or the International Boundary and Water [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c), United States and Mexico.
- (f) **Construction with existing requirements of water and air pollution programs—** Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, nothing in this chapter shall in any way affect any requirement (1) established by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended [[33 U.S.C. 1251](/usc/33/1251.md) et seq.], or the Clean Air Act, as amended [[42 U.S.C. 7401](/usc/42/7401.md) et seq.], or (2) established by the Federal Government or by any [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or [local government](/usc/16/1453.md?p=11) pursuant to such Acts. Such requirements shall be incorporated in any program developed pursuant to this chapter and shall be the water pollution control and air pollution control requirements applicable to such program.
- (g) **Concurrence with programs which affect inland areas—** When any [state](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a)’s [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12), submitted for approval or proposed for modification pursuant to [section 1455 of this title](/usc/16/1455.md), includes requirements as to shorelands which also would be subject to any Federally supported national [land use](/usc/16/1453.md?p=10) program which may be hereafter enacted, the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16), prior to approving such program, shall obtain the concurrence of the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) of the Interior, or such other Federal official as may be designated to administer the national [land use](/usc/16/1453.md?p=10) program, with respect to that portion of the [coastal zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12) affecting such inland [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (h) **Mediation of disagreements—** In case of serious disagreement between any Federal agency and a [coastal state](/usc/16/1453.md?p=4)—
  - (1) in the development or the initial implementation of a [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12) under [section 1454 of this title](/usc/16/1454.md); or
  - (2) in the administration of a [management program](/usc/16/1453.md?p=12) approved under [section 1455 of this title](/usc/16/1455.md);

  the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16), with the cooperation of the Executive Office of the President, shall seek to mediate the differences involved in such disagreement. The process of such mediation shall, with respect to any disagreement described in [paragraph (2)](#h-2), include public hearings which shall be conducted in the local [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) concerned.

- (i) **Application fee for appeals—**
  - (1) With respect to appeals under subsections [(c)(3)](#c-3) and [(d)](#d) which are submitted after November 5, 1990, the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) shall collect an application fee of not less than $200 for minor appeals and not less than $500 for major appeals, unless the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16), upon consideration of an applicant’s request for a fee waiver, determines that the applicant is unable to pay the fee.
  - (2)
    - (A) The [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) shall collect such other fees as are necessary to recover the full costs of administering and processing such appeals under [subsection (c)](#c).
    - (B) If the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) waives the application fee under [paragraph (1)](#i-1) for an applicant, the [Secretary](/usc/16/1453.md?p=16) shall waive all other fees under this subsection for the applicant.
  - (3) Fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the [Coastal Zone](/usc/16/1453.md?p=1) Management [Fund](/usc/16/1453.md?p=9) established under [section 1456a of this title](/usc/16/1456a.md).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–454, title III, § 307, as added Pub. L. 92–583, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1285; amended Pub. L. 94–370, § 6, July 26, 1976, 90 Stat. 1018; Pub. L. 95–372, title V, § 504, Sept. 18, 1978, 92 Stat. 693; Pub. L. 101–508, title VI, § 6208, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–307; Pub. L. 102–587, title II, § 2205(b)(13), (14), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5051.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B), is act Aug. 7, 1953, ch. 345, 67 Stat. 462, which is classified generally to subchapter III (§ 1331 et seq.) of chapter 29 of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1301 of Title 43 and Tables.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is act June 30, 1948, ch. 758, as amended generally by Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 816, which is classified generally to chapter 26 (§ 1251 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1251 of Title 33 and Tables.

The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360, 69 Stat. 322, which is classified generally to chapter 85 (§ 7401 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7401 of Title 42 and Tables.

### Codification

In subsec. (d), “section 6506 of title 31” substituted for “title IV of the Intergovernmental Coordination [Cooperation] Act of 1968 [42 U.S.C. 4231 et seq.]” on authority of Pub. L. 97–258, § 4(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1067, the first section of which enacted Title 31, Money and Finance.

### Amendments

1992—Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 102–587, § 2205(b)(13), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 101–508, § 6208(b)(3)(B). See 1990 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 102–587, § 2205(b)(14), designated existing provisions as par. (1), added pars. (2) and (3), and struck out at end of par. (1) “The Secretary shall collect such other fees as are necessary to recover the full costs of administering and processing such appeals under subsection (c) of this section.”

1990—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 101–508, § 6208(a), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “Each Federal agency conducting or supporting activities directly affecting the coastal zone shall conduct or support those activities in a manner which is, to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with approved state management programs.”

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 101–508, § 6208(b)(1), which directed the insertion of “the enforceable policies of” before “approved State management programs”, was executed by making the insertion before “approved state management programs” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 101–508, § 6208(b)(2), in first sentence inserted “, in or outside of the coastal zone,” after “to conduct an activity”, substituted “any land or water use or natural resource of” for “land or water uses in”, and inserted “the enforceable policies of” after “the proposed activity complies with”.

Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 101–508, § 6208(b)(3)(A), substituted “land or water use or natural resource of” for “land use or water use in” in first sentence.

Pub. L. 101–508, § 6208(b)(3)(B), as amended by Pub. L. 102–587, § 2205(b)(13), inserted “the enforceable policies of” after “such plan complies with” in first sentence.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–508, § 6208(b)(4), substituted “, in or outside of the coastal zone, affecting any land or water use of natural resource of” for “affecting” and inserted “the enforceable policies of” after “that are inconsistent with”.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 101–508, § 6208(c), added subsec. (i).

1978—Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 95–372 inserted “, except if such state fails to concur with or object to such certification within three months after receipt of its copy of such certification and supporting information, such state shall provide the Secretary, the appropriate federal agency, and such person with a written statement describing the status of review and the basis for further delay in issuing a final decision, and if such statement is not so provided, concurrence by such state with such certification shall be conclusively presumed” after “as provided for in subparagraph (A)”.

1976—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–370, § 6(2), struck out provisions requiring that in case of serious disagreement between Federal agency and state in development of program, Secretary shall seek to mediate the differences in cooperation with the Executive Office of the President and incorporated such provision into subsec. (h).

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 94–370, § 6(3), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 94–370, § 6(4), added subsec. (h) which incorporates former provision of subsec. (b) relating to mediation by Secretary of disagreements between Federal agencies and state.