With so many state, federal, local, private, and nonprofit groups working on coastal issues, someone has to make the effort to focus everyone's energies into a targeted and coordinated approach. Whenever possible, CZM takes the responsibility to bring all these groups together by actively coordinating coastal policy-making and implementation with local, state, regional, national, and international organizations.

On the local level… CZM works closely with the 78 coastal cities and towns in Massachusetts. CZM providestechnical assistance and other support to local officials and other interested parties. In particular, CZM employs regional coordinators that serve as direct liaisons to the communities.

On the state level… CZM's program policies have been written so that they are compatible with Massachusetts environmental regulations. CZM and the regulatory agencies, therefore, are inextricably linked. CZM's involvement in the regulatory process takes many forms, such as providing up-to-date technical information for the development of new regulations, resolving policy questions that affect the permitting process, providing comments to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Unit during their project review, and bringing together federal and state regulatory officials to work out problems that have stalled important projects. CZM also coordinates state efforts by convening interagency task forces to solve complex problems, developing networks on coastal issues, and serving as the coastal lead with Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act issues.

This breadth and depth of involvement allows CZM to gain a "big picture" perspective on the state's management of the coastal zone. This unique perspective, combined with the detailed local knowledge of CZM's regional coordinators, is sought out by other state agencies when questions arise about coastal issues. In a larger sense, this ability to see the forest and the trees allows CZM to provide leadership in the effective management of the Commonwealth's coastal resources.

On a regional level… Because most coastal issues transcend municipal and state boundaries, CZM is also an integral part of a regional coastal network that includes municipalities, state and federal lawmakers, academic and research institutions, environmental groups, and the business community. In addition to its regional offices, CZM's major regional efforts include administering two National Estuary Programs: the Massachusetts Bays Program and the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (formerly the Buzzards Bay Project).

On the national level… The CZM Director is the Governor's representative to the national Coastal States' Organization (CSO), an advocacy group for state coastal and ocean interests in Washington, DC. In addition, CZM assists the Massachusetts Congressional delegation by providing briefings and advice on coastal policy and legislative issues. CZM also serves on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement's (BOEMRE) Outer Continental Shelf Advisory Committee, which meets twice a year to advise BOEMRE on offshore oil and gas policy and program development. Membership to this committee gives Massachusetts the means to weigh in on both regional and national offshore development issues.

Internationally… CZM's biggest international effort is the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment. In December, 1989, the Governors of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine signed an agreement with the Premiers of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia pledging to protect the environmental integrity of the Gulf of Maine. The Gulf of Maine Council was established to execute this agreement, and CZM's Director and the Secretary of EEA represent the Governor on the Council. Council activities include habitat protection, marine monitoring, marine debris reduction, and public participation.