Commerce Department Initiates Review of California Coastal Management Program under Coastal Zone Management Act

Washington, D.C. - The Department of Commerce announced the transmittal of a letter from Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a full, formal review of California's coastal management program under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA).

This action ensures that NOAA fulfills its statutory responsibility to assess the extent to which states are exercising their CZMA authority in a manner that gives priority consideration to orderly processes for siting facilities related to national defense, energy, ports, and transportation.

Under the CZMA (16 U.S.C. §§ 1451 et seq.), Congress established a national program to preserve, protect, and develop the resources of the nation's coastal zone. NOAA administers the federal coastal zone management program and is responsible for approving and overseeing state coastal management programs, including that of the California Coastal Commission (CCC). A core element of NOAA's authority is the continuing review process mandated by 16 U.S.C. § 1458, which requires ongoing evaluation of each state's performance. This includes assessing the extent to which states address coastal management needs, including the need to give proper consideration to compatible economic development and the views of relevant federal agencies (16 U.S.C. § 1452(2)(A)-(K)).

"America must continue to lead in innovation, space exploration, and economic strength," said Secretary Lutnick. "Obstructionist policies that delay critical national infrastructure in the name of environmental extremism are unacceptable. NOAA will conduct its reviews consistent with the plain text of the CZMA, ensuring states give proper weight to economic development and the nation's priorities."

The Secretary's directive follows a comprehensive review conducted pursuant to Executive Order 14335, "Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry" (Aug. 13, 2025). That review identified no significant issues with the CZMA compliance of Florida, Texas, or Virginia. In contrast, it highlighted repeated concerns with California's actions, including multiple unfounded objections to spaceport-related proposals by the U.S. Air Force. Such actions have introduced unnecessary risks of delay to vital national projects and failed to adequately consider federal agencies' views and broader national interests, as required by the CZMA. These actions have come under fresh scrutiny as the CCC recently issued an apology to SpaceX for inappropriate comments made by its members over CEO Elon Musk's political affiliation.

NOAA's review will evaluate California's adherence to the CZMA's requirements with renewed rigor. This will include examination of how the state's coastal management practices have addressed-or failed to address-compatible economic development, federal priorities related to spaceport infrastructure, offshore oil production, pipeline maintenance, desalination projects, undersea cables, and other key priorities of national importance.

This initiative reflects the Department's and NOAA's commitment to an America-first approach: removing regulatory barriers that hinder U.S. technological and economic leadership while responsibly stewarding coastal resources for current and future generations of Americans. Under this review, NOAA will open a public comment period to gather information from stakeholders that will be used to determine next steps related to the certification of California's coastal management program.