4: Resilient Coastal Communities and Economies

Coastal and Great Lakes communities are environmentally and economically sustainable

Other Information:

The complex interdependence of ecosystems and economies will grow with increasing uses of land, marine, and coastal resources, resulting in particularly heavy economic and environmental pressures on the Nation's coastal communities. Continued growth in coastal populations, economic expansion, and global trade will further increase the need for safe and efficient maritime transportation. Similarly, the Nation's profound need for conventional and alternative energy presents many economic opportunities, but will also result in greater competition for ocean space, challenging our ability to make informed decisions that balance conflicting demands as well as economic and environmental considerations. At the same time, the interdependence of ecosystems and economies makes coastal and Great Lakes communities increasingly vulnerable to chronic—and potentially catastrophic—impacts of natural and human-induced hazards, including climate change, oil spills, harmful algal blooms and pathogen outbreaks, and severe weather hazards. NOAA's long-term coastal goal will invigorate coastal communities and economies, and lead to increased resiliency and productivity. Comprehensive planning will help protect coastal communities and resources from the impacts of hazards and land-based pollution to vulnerable ecosystems by addressing competing uses, improving water quality, and fostering integrated management for sustainable uses. Geospatial services will support communities, navigation, and economic efficiency with accurate, useful characterizations, charts and maps, assessments, tools, and methods. Coastal decision makers will have the capacity to adaptively manage coastal communities and ecosystems with the best natural and social science available.

Stakeholder(s):

• NOAA Partners: NOAA Partnerships for Resilient Coastal Communities and Economies—Resilient coastal communities and economies cannot be achieved without strong partnerships. NOAA will build on existing strategic partnerships in our coastal communities with other Federal Agencies (such as the U.S. Coast Guard) to help provide services to adapt to coastal hazards and provide safe conditions in the Arctic, the DOI to conserve and manage special marine and coastal places, and the EPA and USDA to improve coastal water quality and encourage smart growth.


• Federal Agencies


• U.S. Coast Guard


• DOI


• EPA


• USDA


• State Partners: Comprehensive ocean and coastal planning also will require an unprecedented level of engagement and collaboration with state, local and tribal partners, as well as a wide range of stakeholders in the private and academic sectors. The complex and interdependent vulnerabilities that the coasts face will require enduring partnerships to help develop environmentally and economically sustainable community practices. NOAA, its strategic partners in coastal communities, and the Nation must have a shared understanding of the challenges to address so that the benefits, beauty, and heritage of coasts can be appreciated by current and future generations.


• Local Partners


• Tribal Partners


• Private Sector


• Academic Sector

Objective(s):

4.1: Coastal Communities

4.2: Oceans & Coasts

4.3: Marine Transportation

4.4: Coastal Water

4.5: Arctic

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