Coastal States Organization (CSO)

The Coastal States Organization (CSO) was established in 1970 to represent the Governors of the nation’s thirty-five coastal states, commonwealths and territories on legislative and policy issues relating to the sound management of coastal, Great Lakes and ocean resources.

Communities are responding to the effects of sea level rise and more frequent dramatic weather events with assistance from their respective State Coastal Program Agencies. In turn, these State Coastal Programs are working in partnership with the Coastal States Organization and the Nation Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Communities, their states, and the country are collaborating to share best practices while comprehensively planning an integrated response to sea level rise.

CSO works toward its mission through an integrated process based on:

1) Incorporating ocean and coastal management needs into the development and implementation of scientific research and monitoring programs to support management;
2) transforming state leaders into leadership at the regional and national levels; and
3) teaming CSO members and staff to advance effective ocean and coastal management.

Phone: (202) 508-3860

Sectors:

• Coastal
• Emergency preparedness
• Oceans
• Water resources

Related Resources:

• Digital Coast
• Softening Our Shorelines: Policy and Practice for Living Shorelines Along the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts
• The Role of Coastal Zone Management Programs in Adaptation to Climate Change - Final Report of the CSO Climate Change Work Group
• The Role of Coastal Zone Management Programs in Adaptation to Climate Change: Second Annual Report of the Coastal States Organization's Climate Change Work Group