Coast Smart Communities Initiative - Photo by Sharon B. Pyle

Welcome to the CoastSmart Communities Online Resource Center. This site has been developed to assist our businesses, communities and local governments access available products and services to address the current risks associated with coastal hazards and the potential increased impacts of those hazards in the future due to climate change. Here you will find web-based planning tools, storm surge inundation and sea level rise maps, training programs, staff resources, and access to local grants. The development of the products and services has been, and continues to be shaped by input from local communities and other stakeholders. We welcome your feedback and input.

“With over 4,000 miles of coastline, we cannot wait to tackle this threat,” said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. “Here in Maryland we are aggressively implementing initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that will provide benefits long into the future; however, we must also ensure our communities are “CoastSmart” now - ready, adaptive and resilient.”

- Governor Martin O’Malley

Climate Change

Maryland is on the front line for the impacts of climate change. Communities, public infrastructure and vital habitats are particularly vulnerable, especially with respect to accelerated sea level rise, shoreline erosion and increased storm frequency and intensity. Through Maryland’s CoastSmart Communities Initiative, the Chesapeake & Coastal Program (CCP) is helping local communities identify and implement strategies to protect life and property vulnerable to coastal hazards and climate change. From hands-on training and planning tools to financial resources, CCP is ensuring that local communities have the tools that they need to identify and take the necessary actions to become ready, adaptive and resilient to the impacts of climate change.