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Sea level is rising more rapidly along the U.S. coast than worldwide. Studies by EPA and others estimate that a 1-foot rise in sea level along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts is likely by 2050 and could occur as early as 2025. Sea level probably will continue to rise for several centuries, even if global temperatures were to stop increasing a few decades hence.The Sand Beach, located in North Beach, MD
North Beach, pictured here in the 1920's, was a popular bathing beach.
A contemporary picture, taken from the same vantage point in 1996,
illustrates the effects of sea-level encroachment over time.
The direct impacts of sea level rise include loss of beaches and beach properties, ecologically productive wetlands, and barrier islands that help shield the mainland from the impacts of storm surges. Indirect impacts include loss of revenues from tourism, reduced property values, and increased costs for repairing infrastructure, such as roads damaged by storm surges.
The coastal communities web page will be of interest to coastal residents, tourists visiting coastal areas, state and local government decision-makers with shoreline and wetlands responsibilities, developers, property owners (homeowners, hotel and restaurant owners, facility managers), and travel and tourism associations. The page offers accurate and relevant information to enable those groups to make environmentally and economically sound responses to sea level rise related to climate change. Responses include both adapting to sea level rise and also reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to mitigate climate change.
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