Coastal areas provide a variety of resources for both recreation and business. These areas, which attract a disproportionate amount of the population, are also at great risk to a multitude of hazards.

Much of the state of Maryland consists of shoreline and as such is vulnerable to numerous coastal hazards. Hazards that threaten our coasts include erosion, nuisance flooding, sea level rise, and storm surge and tides (Maryland Coastal Resiliency Assessment). Additionally there will be a reduction in valuable habitats, such as tidal wetlands and marshes, due to the combination of sea level rise and developed shorelines. These hazards have increased noticeably in recent years, a trend that will likely continue into the future. The effects of these occurrences are already felt by people who live and work near our coastal environments, as well as by the coastal environments themselves. In order to protect existing development, future investments, our protective, valuable natural resources and our people, conversation and action regarding coastal resilience must happen now.