This report describes itself as a starting point for discussion of more comprehensive, more effective local responses to sea level rise. It demonstrates how some local governments are trying to implement policies and regulations that fit the very specific and very individual needs of their communities. While developed for The Nature Conservancy Long Island, it is a useful resource for any coastal state.

Chapter VI of Part 1 fills the bulk of this document. This section summarizes many selected local land use ordinances and regulations that include specific mention of sea-level rise or that incorporate appropriate policy responses that may be used to address sea level rise.

The National Framework for local responses to sea-level rise is presented, providing an analysis of the CZMA, FEMA, the Disaster Management Act (DMA) and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This section is followed by the State Framework, depicting individual state responses to sea-level rise, and Local Planning and Regulatory responses. This report includes regulations, ordinances, and plans from states which have taken varying levels of action to deal with the impacts of accelerated sea level rise. These states are: CA, FL, ME, MD, MA, NC, OR, RI, SC, TX, and WA.

Part 2 of this report concludes with local planning and regulatory strategies for New York municipalities that draw on the methods employed by local governments outside of New York, including mechanisms such as Comprehensive Plans, Hazard Mitigation Plans, Shoreline Management Plans and Revitalization Plans.