Judicial interpretations of federal consistency under the Coastal Zone Management Act

The federal consistency provision of the Coastal Zone Management Act (1972) created a new form of interaction between federal and state governments. T he implementation of this provision has significant ramifications for coast al management and intergovernmental cooperation in the United States. Past studies have focused on the provision's implementation patterns among U.S. coastal states and federal-state disputes mediated by the Secretary of Comm erce. This supplemental article examines judicial interpretations of the fe deral consistency provision over the past two decades in relation to major issues deliberated by Congress at the time of enactment. Recent changes in the provision, as well as those unresolved issues likely to resurface in fu ture litigation, are also discussed. Seemingly, coastal land use authority and offshore energy exploration remain the most contentious issues surround ing the federal consistency provision.