CSO represents the Governors on legislative and policy issues relating to the sound management of coastal, Great Lakes and ocean resources.

The resolution further emphasized that state governments could best increase their ability to contribute to development and operation of the National Oceanographic and Coastal Zone Management Programs by forming an organization designed to achieve these purposes.

[4][5] In recognition of the need for preserving the invaluable and irreplaceable marine resources of the Nation, and in response to the National Governors' Conference policy statement calling for the formation of a maritime states organization to pursue those ends, the Coastal States Organization was established.

Among its responsibilities, the Organization will: (a) contribute to the development of common policy regarding national coastal zone management legislation and programs, and serve as spokesman for the maritime States, territories, and trust territories on marine and coastal affairs; (b) provide mutual assistance in solving common state and intermarine resource problems; and (c) serve as a clearinghouse for information relative to marine activities of the member States.

[8] Organizational priorities in 2008–2009 were: Climate change, Coastal Zone Management Act Reauthorization, Energy/Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) activities and appropriations.