Regulations and Policies

Legislation

Authorizing Statutes

An Act to provide for surveying the coasts

This initial legislation led to the formation of the United States Coast Survey.

[Act of Feb. 10, 1807, Sess. II, ch. 8, 2 Stat. 413-14 (1807)]

Coast and Geodetic Survey Act of 1947

Under this act, NOAA is required to provide nautical charts and products for safe maritime commerce and navigation.

Hydrographic Service Improvement Acts of 1998/2002/2008/2018

These Acts reiterate purpose and authorize increased funding for NOAA's navigation services

Title 33 of Code of Federal Regulations

Provides that NOAA nautical charts, U.S. Coast Pilots, tidal and current information must be carried on all self-propelled vessels, including passenger vessels, > than 1600 gross tons

Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act (2009)

Calls for coordinated and comprehensive ocean and coastal mapping across the federal government; gives NOAA a lead role in integrating mapping efforts with federal, state and local governments, and private sector partners.

Environmental Acts

• Endangered Species Act
• Marine Mammal Protection Act
• Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
• National Environmental Policy Act
• National Historic Preservation Act
• National Marine Sanctuaries Act

Environmental Compliance

• Coast Survey Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) (May 2013)
• Coast Survey Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) (May 2013)
• Coast Survey ESA Section 7 Biological Opinion (April 2013)

Additional Guidance and Resources

NOAA - Coast Guard Cooperative Maritime Strategy