This program is designed to set up a basis for protecting, restoring, and establishing a responsibility in preserving and developing the nation’s coastal communities and resources, where they are under the highest pressure.

The vision of the CZMP is to ensure that “the nation’s coast and oceans, including the Great Lakes and island territories, are healthy and thriving for this and future generation”.

[6] The key goals of the National CZM program include: “protecting natural resources, managing development in high hazard areas, giving development priority to coastal-dependent uses, providing public access for recreation, coordinating state and federal actions”.

Coastal zones are valuable to the nation's current and future prosperity for their "natural, commercial, recreational, ecological, industrial, and esthetic resources."

Many stresses are on the lands of coastal zone, from natural, residential, and industry and there is need to preserve and protect these areas.

“In light of competing demands and the urgent need to protect and to give high priority to natural systems in the coastal zone…”[8] Also, due to potential for global warming these areas need to be prepared for any alterations in water levels.

Congress declares in its national policy “to preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, to restore or enhance, the resources of the Nation's coastal zone for this and succeeding generations.” [9] This is encouraged through the various states and coastal regions that want to actively participate in local, Federal, and State programs.

States must identify clear boundaries for the coastal zone they wish to monitor and preserve, as well as define the lands subject to management.

The state must include the critical coastal areas of the set region, establish management procedures, and technical assistance resources.

This means that the state will aim toward either the protection, restoration or the enhancement of the coastal zone or for the creation of new wetlands.

[9] The Secretary will develop and rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, this is subject to influences of local, state, and federal agencies, as to include port authorities and those others interested.

Coastal Resource Improvement Program States may spend half of their Section 306 funds on small-scale construction or land acquisition projects, this is geared to improve “public access to the coast, facilitate redevelopment of urban waterfronts, or preserve and restore coastal resources.” [10] 3.