A program within the Department of Environmental Protection Pennsylvania COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT FUNDING CZMA program approved: FISCAL YEAR 2003 1980 Coastal population in 2000: Program Goals and Objectives 2,946,892 The Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Program PCZMP works to enhance the Commonwealth's capacity to manage the natural, recreational, and historic resources of its Miles of coastline: two geographically distinct Coastal Zones and coastal watersheds. The program operates 140 through a network of federal, state and local partners, coordinating public participation and providing funding and technical support for projects that protect, conserve and enhance CZMA funds: coastal resources. $2,025,000 Key Accomplishments CZMA enhancements funds: * Providing financial assistance for coastal improvement projects in the Lake Erie and $174,000 Delaware Estuary coastal zones * Reviewing and streamlining grant administrative processes, reducing paperwork and CZMA nonpoint funds: increasing program efficiency $280,000 * Beginning the integration of Coastal Zone program elements with the broad goals and activities related to updating the State Water Plan State and other matching * Supporting public outreach, environmental education, curriculum development, scientific funds: research, and public participation in coastal activities $2,305,000 * Acting as an incubator for projects and programs that apply throughout coastal watersheds and beyond Total: * Providing support for development of the Pennsylvania Sea Grant Program $4,784,000 * Monitoring coastal wetlands, supporting restoration and mitigation measures, and pursuing creation of wetland habitat * Supporting local administration and enforcement of the Bluff Recession and Setback Act, which provides for regulation of structure setbacks in bluff recession hazard areas * Conducting an evaluation of the Lake Erie coastal bluffs to determine updated Bluff Recession Hazard Areas * Evaluating federal, state, and local activities in coastal areas to ensure consistency with coastal program policies * Preparing a Routine Program Change RPC document for final submittal to NO AA in 2004 * Initiating development of a new guidance document to help regional department permitting staff with the evaluation of permit applications for shoreline protection structures along Lake Erie * Reviewing Section 309 activities and developing an action plan to improve efforts regarding program enhancement objectives * Working with other states, provinces, and federal agencies on coastal issues of regional, national, and international importance. OUTCOMES AND PRODUCTS * Enhanced effective partnerships with local governments, non-profits, and other stakeholders within the two CZ regions. * Streamlined grant administrative processes, reduced paperwork and increased program efficiency. * Implemented an internal re-organization that will help develop the foundation for better leveraging Coastal Zone funding as part of a plan to integrate activities with the broader goals of updating the State Water Plan. * Increased and improved resource monitoring and protection activities via regional CZM field staff. * Continued improvements to wetlands monitoring, permit compliance and mitigation and restoration within the coastal boundaries. * Improved data collection, coastal mapping and GIS usage to better manage coastal resources. * Federal consistency improvements to address boundary changes and interstate consistency provisions. * Increased `visibility' and support for the CZM program within the two regions. * Increased PA Sea Grant full time staff through Section 309 funding. * Enhanced credibility of the CZM program with other state-level agencies. * Increased cost accounting improvements by adding new IT technology. * Increased coordination with NOAA staff through regular, face-to-face conferences. Outcomes and Products continued on next page Hall of the States * Suite 322 * 444 North Capital Street, NW * Washington, DC 20001 * t 202.508.3860 * f 202.508.3843 * www.sso.org/cso Pennsylvania COASTAL HABITAT CONSERVATION OUTCOMES AND PRODUCTS AND RESTORATION: $700,000 * Providing groundwater wells for the state COORDINATION AND PUBLIC Coordination and Public owned fish hatchery supplying Coho Salmon INVOLVEMENT: $1,080,000 Involvement and Steelhead Smolts to the coastal tributaries * The River Adventure on the Delaware (RAD) 23% of Lake Erie; Program for grades 4-8 children at the Coastal Habitat and Conservation * Monitoring and tracking the quality of new Independence Seaport Museum, focusing on the Hazards 2% 15% sediments entering the Presque Isle Bay "Area ecology of the Delaware River; of Recovery" along Lake Erie; * Teacher education program supporting the CNPP * Monitoring of coastal wetlands changes for educational goals; Water Community enforcement purposes using annual color * Purchase and installation of research equipment at Quality Planning & Development infrared aerial photography along with GIS the Presque Isle State Park Center. A consortium of Protection 31% 10% wetland polygon layers and digital transfer regional colleges, universities and other organizations technology; studying the Great Lakes ecosystems will use this * Invasive species policy development and 6,000 square feet research area. Public Access incorporation into the approved CZM Program. * Providing on-site technical assistance service to Lake 19% Erie property owners affected by shoreline erosion and bluff recession; * Development of a new guidance document to help COASTAL HAZARDS: $110,000 PUBLIC ACCESS: $940,000 COMMUNITY PLANNING AND regional department permitting staff with evaluating * Oblique digital aerial photography * Educational signage along the DEVELOPMENT: $460,000 permit applications for shoreline protection structures of the frontal bluff profile along historic Delaware River * State, regional and local support along Lake Erie. Lake Erie to determine changes in Kensington & Tacony Trail; of CZM Policies and Program the designated coastal bluff * Construction of an Excursion initiatives via technical assistance, recession hazard areas for use in Dock for waterborne public project administration and overall COASTAL WATER QUALITY PROTECTION: $1,500,000 updating the CZM Bluff Setback access to the historic Bartram's coordination functions; * Enhancing public outreach efforts related to urban runoff Regulations and local setback Garden along the Delaware * Expedient review of proposed management measures and public education on water ordinances; River; pre-permit development plans by quality impacts of urban runoff for six counties and ten * Develop methods of propagating * Purchase of 1.75 acres along a multi- agency service sponsored major watersheds of the Delaware River; 20 ­30 native plant species for use Ridley Creek flowing into the by CZM called the Urban * Development of calibrated decision making computer in stabilizing coastal bluffs and for Delaware River to provide Waterfront Action Group; models for municipal use to prioritize nonpoint source groups involved in coastal additional public access for * Thorough and consistent pollution BMPs within select watersheds of the Delaware waterways restoration projects; small watercraft such as application of federal consistency River; * Financial support for Lake Erie rowboats and canoes; reviews; * Implement and track coastal nonpoint source pollution municipalities to prepare or amend * Selected alignment and bridge * Application of interstate management measures on a sub watershed basis in eight bluff setback ordinances and to type for the pedestrian consistency to federal activities municipalities along the Delaware River; administer and implement activities walkway/bike trail bridge over having reasonable foreseeable * Purchase of development rights through an agricultural in accordance with the Bluff Darby Creek for a segment of adverse affects on PA coastal conservation easement for a rural coastal farm in a prime Recession Setback Act. the East Coast Greenway. resources. agricultural area along Lake Erie. PRIORITIES AND NEEDS The key priorities for the Coastal Program for the next year are the following: * Develop the State Water Plan, with an emphasis on integrating Coastal Zone issues into a comprehensive vision and action agenda based on watershed management and protection of coastal ecosystems. * Expand existing GIS capabilities into all aspects and functions of the CZM Program, integrating the results into the larger state water planning efforts. * Complete the Coastal Wetlands Inventory for both Coastal Zones. * Successfully apply Federal Consistency provisions of the CZMA to a major dredging activity proposed at the federal harbor in Conneaut, Ohio. * Upgrade the CZM website, with a focus on making information generated grant projects more readily available. * Increase research on the effects and management of non-native invasive plant and animal species in the two CZ areas. * Emphasize the CNPP Management Measures with particular attention to stormwater management in the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone. * Increase support for the 7 County Conservation Districts and the Philadelphia Water Department that operate within Pennsylvania's Coastal Zones. * Enhance monitoring of coastal hazards and wetlands degradation. If provided more funding and support, the Coastal Program would seek to accomplish the following: * More fully support development of the State Water Plan, to help both public and private sectors make more informed decisions within the Coastal Zones. * Take a more proactive role in the development of Delaware Estuary public access areas within former industrial areas, and in Lake Erie public access areas to provide unique physical access to picturesque shoreline areas. * Provide more technical support and financial assistance to partners working to acquire fee simple title or long-term easements to priority wetlands in both Coastal Zones. * Complete the construction phase including monitoring of prototype step design to facilitate safe access down high coastal bluffs to the shoreline of Lake Erie without the instability factors experienced in past construction. * Provide stronger support for the re-use of potentially contaminated sites along the Delaware Estuary waterfront for habitat restoration, improvement and public access. STATE CONTACT: Andy Zemba, Asst. Executive Director, Water Planning Office, Dept. of Environmental Protection, t. 717-772-5633, f. 717-783-4690, azemba@state.pa.us