Florida's Struggle for Approval under the Coastal Zone Management Act

On September 24, 1984, the State of Florida received federal approval for its coastal management program, in accordance with Section 306 off the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). The approval came five years after the State of Washington's CZM Program was the first so designated. This article focuses primarily on the difficulties Florida encountered in developing a federally approved coastal management program. Florida is unique, not only because it has one of the longest coast lines in the US, but also because it faces perhaps the most intense pressures for coastal development. Before discussing the administration of the CZMA and Florida's coastal management politics, the state's special coastal characteristics are described. 63 references.