"Sustainable Coastal Communities" is one of three broad themes for Maryland's Coastal Program. Coastal communities are critical components for a strong economy in Maryland. Sixteen counties and Baltimore City are included in Maryland's coastal zone making it home to approximately 67.83% of Maryland residents. Coastal areas continue to attract people and economic development, and coastal management provides the necessary tools to ensure that coastal communities are sustained.

The following are goals of the Coastal Program with a few examples of actions Maryland has taken to achieve these goals.

Goal: Reduce Threats and Losses From Coastal Hazards Coastal hazards in Maryland include events that occur over short time periods and as well as events that occur over decades or centuries.  Short term hazards include storms and flooding events which can occur over several hours or a few days of intense wind and rain.  Long term events include sea level rise and chronic shore erosion which occur very slowly over many years.  Both types of hazards can result in devastating losses and costs to both individuals and communities throughout the coastal areas of the state. Impacts of coastal hazards can result in damage to private and public buildings, damage to infrastructure such as roads and bridges, loss of land through erosion, and threats to public safety.  Coastal hazards also often have secondary impacts such as reduced water quality, damage to habitats and impacts to both terrestrial and aquatic species.  Management of coastal hazards strives to reduce the negative impacts to coastal areas and its inhabitants.

• Develop Comprehensive & Regional Shore Erosion Control Plans
• Prepare shoreline maps and determine recent changes due to shoreline erosion