Temperate climates, attractive scenery, ease of navigation, and access to ocean food supplies have put coastlines at the forefront of human development throughout history and around the world. The United States is no exception. Today, counties touching the coast account for 39 percent of total U.S. population and 28 percent of national property by value. Coastal living carries risk, particularly on the East Coast and along the Gulf of Mexico, where hurricanes and other coastal storms inflict billions in property and infrastructure damage each year. Climate change elevates these risks. Rising sea levels will, over time, inundate low-lying property and