Coastal Management

Coastal Management Overview

Connecticut's coast provides myriad opportunities for
recreation, public access, commercial fishing, marine
trades and international shipping, as well as habitat for
fish, shellfish, birds, wildlife and plants. Therefore, we
need to ensure it is available for future generations.
Learn how Connecticut's Coastal Management Program
works to balance the protection of coastal resources
with sustainable economic uses of the shoreline.

Coastal Planning

Coastal land use planning promotes the consistent
application of the goals and policies of Connecticut's
Coastal Management Act in order to maintain  
the compatibility of coastal uses with the protection 
of coastal resources. Access a variety of planning  
guidance, including Connecticut's Coastal 
Management Manual.

Coastal Permitting

Find information about the different types of coastal
permits and permitting requirements for activities
proposed in coastal, tidal, or navigable waters, or within
tidal wetlands.

Living Shorelines

Learn about living shorelines and their applications
in Coastal Management.
 

Coastal Habitat Restoration

Managing Connecticut's coast includes
repairing natural areas that have been
damaged from past activities. Learn
about Connecticut's coastal habitats and
how they are being restored.

Tidal Wetlands

Learn about this important coastal habitat 
and how it is protected in Connecticut.  

Municipal Harbor Management

Under the Harbor Management Act, towns may create Harbor Management Commissions to develop a harbor management plan to establish goals and make recommendations for the use, development, and preservation of their harbor.

Harbor Masters
In conjunction with a municipal harbor management plan, Connecticut's Harbor Masters supervise moorings and harbor activity to ensure navigational safety and consistency with the plan. However, Harbor Masters may also be appointed for towns without Harbor Management Commissions. See which towns have a local Harbor Master.  

Coastal Hazards

Understand more about the types of hazards
that affect Connecticut's dynamic coast and learn
everything to be prepared for the next coastal
hazard event.  

  

      Section 309 Coastal Management Assessment

Connecticut's Coastal Management Assessment and Strategies relate to nine coastal zone enhancement objectives specified in Section 309 of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1996. These nine enhancement areas are assessed as they apply to Connecticut to identify the relative importance of each area in consideration of the state’s approved coastal management program.