CELCP (pronounced "kelp") provides support to state and local governments to purchase coastal and estuarine lands that are important for their ecological, conservation, recreational, historical or aesthetic values and are under threat of conversion.
Click on the map and then click on a dot to find out more about successful CELCP projects.
Through the Coastal Zone Management Act, NOAA is charged with helping states to manage and protect the nation’s coastal resources. These resources include lands that are essential for flood and storm protection, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and coastal economies that depend on their natural assets.
CELCP provides matching funds to purchase property or conservation easements on land from willing sellers. These lands are protected in perpetuity so that they may be enjoyed by future generations.
Since 2002, CELCP has protected more than 90,000 acres of valuable coastal and estuarine lands.