Coastal Erosion happens in many places around the world. The states in the Gulf Coast being eroded are Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Coastal Management Programs were encouraged by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1992 [CZMA]. These programs provided protection of natural resources, including wetlands, floodplains, estuaries, beaches, dunes, and barrier islands. Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama had plans by 1998.

    Alabama is the state with the shortest coastline out of all five Gulf States. The eastern side of the coast is most damaged by the hurricanes Camille, Frederic, Opal, and George recently. In 1976, the Alabama Coastal Area Act was created.

    Along Florida’s Gulf Coast there is 600 miles of sandy barrier islands and mainland. Florida’s coastline was classified eroding by 1981.In 1991 over one third of the state's beaches were classified as critically eroded. The states leading industry is tourism so beaches are very important. They are building hotels and houses along Florida’s Beaches. Many existing regulations and statues were begun with the Florida Coastal Management Act in 1978.

    Louisiana has 50 miles of beaches. Wetlands are very important because they provide a habitat for plants and animals, natural water treatment, and recreation sites. The Louisiana Coastal Zone is 9.5 million acres of marshes, swamps, and bottom land. It is important nationally because it is 40 % per cent of the Continental U.S. Coastal Wetlands. The commercial and sport fishing industries are an economic benefit to Louisiana and brings in one Billion dollars a year. A geographic area that has special ecological significance to the continued production of wildlife, fish, and other natural resources is a Gulf Ecological Management Site (GEMS). Other states and Louisiana are working together. GEMS program will promote information exchange, increase awareness of the national significance of Gulf of Mexico Sites.

    The Mississippi mainland shoreline is eroding. Beaches periodically eroded by hurricanes are restored. There are 26 miles of nourished beachfront.

    The Texas Gulf Coast is mostly 370 miles of sandy islands. About one fourth of the coast is national seashore or state park. In recent years, the Texas coast has experienced development and growth. The Gulfs shoreline is eroding at rates from 1-50 ft per year. The state of Texas plan of coastal conservation is very broad in scope: The land area it covers is huge and extents out to the continental shelf. The public beaches start where all other beaches from different states end. Some beach is private.

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