In 1978, the US Virgin Islands Legislature enacted the Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Act as a means of regulating development and managing coastal resources in the Territory. The US Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Program (VICZMP) was established to carry out the mandates and objectives of this Act.

Day-to-day operations of the VICZMP are managed and administered by the Department of Planning & Natural Resources, Division of Coastal Zone Management (CZM).  In addition to VICZMP regulatory compliance and enforcement operations, the Division of Coastal Zone Management oversees various VICZMP-related programs and projects including, but not limited to:

1. Management of filled and submerged lands;
    
2. Review, processing and enforcement of minor and major development permits in the first tier of the coastal zone;
    
3. Conservation of the coastal zone's ecosystems through marine protected areas;
    
4. Public participation in decision making regarding development and conservation;
    
5. Managing areas of particular concern;
    
6. Education and outreach to raise consciousness about the Virgin Islands' coastal zone; and Creation of non-point source pollution reduction strategies; etc.

In its mission to meet the mandates of the US Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Program and Act, CZM collaborates, coordinates and partners with various local and national government agencies, schools and educational institutes, residential communities and private industry.

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Zone Management. All Rights Reserved.

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