The DNR is accepting comments on its draft Section 309 Assessment and Strategy for 2026 – 2030. Please email your comments to [email protected] by 4:30 p.m. Feb. 23, 2026. The DNR will use the comments to improve the final version.
Section 309 Assessment and Strategies: What is it?
A Section 309 Assessment and Strategies is a strategy document built on an assessment of how well a coastal state is doing managing nine areas.
Wetlands
Coastal hazards
Public access to the coast
Marine (lake) debris
Cumulative and secondary impacts of development
Special area management planning
Ocean (lake) resources
Energy and government facility siting
Aquaculture
Coastal programs, like Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program, first take a high-level look at all nine areas then complete a more in-depth assessment of high priority areas. Based on the assessment results, they develop one or more strategies to address top management needs. Programs submit their Section 309 Assessment and Strategies to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for approval. Once approved, states receive five years of match free funding from NOAA for strategy implementation and can compete for additional funds to take their strategies further.
Section 309 Assessment and Strategies
For more information
Contact
Direct your questions about Minnesota’s Section 309 Assessment and Strategies to [email protected].