Who reviews projects for consistency with the OCMP?
DLCD is the state’s designated coastal management agency and is responsible for reviewing projects for consistency with the OCMP and issuing coastal management decisions. DLCD’s reviews involve consultation with local governments, state agencies, federal agencies, and other interested parties in determining project consistency with the OCMP. DLCD’s federal consistency decisions are called “coastal concurrences” [approvals] and “coastal objections” [denials]. Objections, which are rare, can be based on an inconsistency with coastal program policies or a lack of sufficient information to determine consistency. In the event of a formal DLCD objection, federal permits, licenses and financial assistance grants cannot be issued, and direct federal activities cannot proceed unless compliance with the OCMP is specifically prohibited by other federal law.
