CoastSmart Communities is a program dedicated to assisting Maryland’s coastal communities address short- and long-term coastal hazards, such as coastal flooding, storm surge, and sea level rise. CoastSmart connects local government staff and partners to essential information, tools, people, and trainings.

Maryland’s shorelines extend over 3,000 miles along the diverse landscapes of the Chesapeake Bay, the Coastal Bays, and the Atlantic Ocean. These landscapes are highly susceptible to coastal storms, nuisance flooding, erosion, hurricanes, and are vulnerable to the long-term impacts of a changing climate. The damages and impacts resulting from flood events present a substantial threat to communities, infrastructure and natural resources throughout the state. The CoastSmart Communities Program aims to take action before an event occurs to reduce the risk to life, property and natural resources.

The impacts of both short and long term hazards will be most intensely experienced within local communities; therefore require local action. CoastSmart provides resources to local government and communities to plan, prepare and increase resilience both short and long term.

CoastSmart provides:

• Financial Assistance through Outcome 2 of Chesapeake & Coastal Grants Gateway
• Technical Assistance to local communities
• Training Opportunities for local practitioners
• Links to supportive information, federal and state resources, tools, visualizations, and networks

​Grants Gateway:

• The Chesapeake and Coastal Grants Gateway provides a one-stop location for communities seeking technical and financial support for projects that foster healthy ecosystems, communities, and economies that are resilient in the face of change.

Contact Information

Sasha Land​
Chesapeake & Coastal Service
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Tawes State Office Building E-2
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone 410-260-8718
Fax 410-260-8739

Sasha.Land@maryland.gov