Summary
The federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) gave coastal states financial incentives, through federal funding, to establish environmentally-friendly coastal management programs in order to “preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, to restore or enhance, the resources of the Nation's coastal zone for this and succeeding generations” (CZMA ’76). This prompted the Texas General Land Office, under the leadership of Commissioner Bob Armstrong, to begin studying and surveying the Texas Coastal Zone, identifying ecological, economical and social issues within it, holding public hearings to discuss and establish a coastal management plan, and finally, applying for program approval to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Department of Commerce.
The Texas Coastal Management Program is well-documented by applications, correspondence, published reports and meeting minutes. Also included are a brief program history, resolutions, audits, procedures, newsletters, research files, floppy disks, video tape, and slides.
Biographical Note
The Texas Coastal Management Program is well-documented by applications, correspondence, published reports and meeting minutes. Also included are a brief program history, resolutions, audits, procedures, newsletters, research files, floppy disks, video tape, and slides.
The federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) gave coastal states financial incentives, through federal funding, to establish environmentally-friendly coastal management programs in order to “preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, to restore or enhance, the resources of the Nation's coastal zone for this and succeeding generations” (CZMA ’76). This prompted the Texas General Land Office, under the leadership of Commissioner Bob Armstrong, to begin studying and surveying the Texas Coastal Zone, identifying ecological, economical and social issues within it, holding public hearings to discuss and establish a coastal management plan, and finally, applying for program approval to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Department of Commerce. The Texas Coastal Management Program (TCMP) was approved in 1996 as one of the last states to gain federal approval.
Administration of the Texas Coastal Management Program was given to the Coastal Coordination Council (CCC) in 1991. The Council was chaired by the Land Commissioner and was comprised of 12 members representing the Parks and Wildlife Commission, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, The Railroad Commission, the Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Transportation Commission, the State Soil and Water Conservation Board, the director of the Texas A&M Sea Grant Program and four members of the public appointed by the Governor. The Coastal Coordination Council was subject to Sunset Review in 1999 and again in 2011, which recommended that the Council be disbanded and exclusive administrative responsibility of the Coastal Management Program be given to the General Land Office.
Scope and Content
Administration of the Texas Coastal Management Program was given to the Coastal Coordination Council (CCC) in 1991. The Council was chaired by the Land Commissioner and was comprised of 12 members representing the Parks and Wildlife Commission, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, The Railroad Commission, the Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Transportation Commission, the State Soil and Water Conservation Board, the director of the Texas A&M Sea Grant Program and four members of the public appointed by the Governor. The Coastal Coordination Council was subject to Sunset Review in 1999 and again in 2011, which recommended that the Council be disbanded and exclusive administrative responsibility of the Coastal Management Program be given to the General Land Office.
The Texas Coastal Management Program is well-documented by applications, correspondence, published reports and meeting minutes. Also included are a brief program history, resolutions, audits, procedures, newsletters, research files, floppy disks, video tape, and slides. Published Reports comprise the bulk of the collection and provide detailed ecological, economical, legal, legislative, and logistical information involving the Texas Coast. Of particular note are the Coastal Coordination Council’s meeting minutes (1991-2009) and the Permitting Assistance Group (PAG) meeting minutes (1995-2009).
Administrative files include complete grant applications demonstrating the application process in the mid-70s and again in the mid-90s, the last of which was approved in 1996. The resolutions folder is a set of letters from 1994 in favor or against participation in the Coastal Management Program submitted by cities and counties; it also includes Land Commissioner Mauro’s letters of thanks. Research Files contains essays, guidelines, unpublished reports and newspaper clippings concerning legislation like the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972/1976 and the activities of organizations like NOAA, the Sunset Advisory Committee and the General Land Office.
Correspondence includes letters involving the NOAA, the Governor, Land Commissioners and other state officials concerning the approval and daily business of the Coastal Management Program as well as letters with enclosed reports.
Throughout the collection, only ten documents were produced between 1980 and 1990, of which Published Reports are the majority.
Date
Administrative files include complete grant applications demonstrating the application process in the mid-70s and again in the mid-90s, the last of which was approved in 1996. The resolutions folder is a set of letters from 1994 in favor or against participation in the Coastal Management Program submitted by cities and counties; it also includes Land Commissioner Mauro’s letters of thanks. Research Files contains essays, guidelines, unpublished reports and newspaper clippings concerning legislation like the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972/1976 and the activities of organizations like NOAA, the Sunset Advisory Committee and the General Land Office.
Correspondence includes letters involving the NOAA, the Governor, Land Commissioners and other state officials concerning the approval and daily business of the Coastal Management Program as well as letters with enclosed reports.
Throughout the collection, only ten documents were produced between 1980 and 1990, of which Published Reports are the majority.
1972-2011
Extent
12.52 Linear feet (25 document boxes, 1 oversized box)
Language
English
Arrangement
Records are organized into 6 series, some with subseries:
1. Administrative Files (1974-2004)
2. Hearings, Conferences, Meetings (1976-2008)
3. Correspondence (1975-2002)
4. Newsletters (1987-2008)
5. Published Reports (1972-2011)
6. Media (1985-1996)
Preferred Citation
1. Administrative Files (1974-2004)
2. Hearings, Conferences, Meetings (1976-2008)
3. Correspondence (1975-2002)
4. Newsletters (1987-2008)
5. Published Reports (1972-2011)
6. Media (1985-1996)
Coastal Resources Records (CR). Archives and Records Program, Texas General Land Office, Austin.
Access Restrictions
Unrestricted access.
Use Restrictions
Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).
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