• Modeling of coastal inundation, to involve FEMA, NOAA, USACE, and USGS.

• Improved data exchange and transfer between federal, state, and local agencies, including improved dissemination of shoreline data via the Internet. FGDC should take a stronger role in supporting these community-based efforts (see Chapter 5).

• Research and development to investigate new technologies for shoreline mapping, (e.g., by using LIDAR). Here, NASA’s continued support for development of remote sensing and an increased emphasis by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NOPP on coastal needs would go a long way toward improving the nation’s nearshore and coastal mapping capabilities. The private sector has also been a leader in innovation in this area.

Finally, we cannot ignore the fact that the extraordinarily large population base that depends on the coastal zone can also be a powerful political force. User-driven requests to Congress and to individual agencies from the Coastal States Organization, the Coastal Zone Management Program, and other state and local entities that would benefit from more efficient and standardized federal efforts are an important element of any successful mapping and charting support and coordination strategy. Expanded educational efforts stressing the value and utility of partnered federal and federal/state efforts could be an effective way for the agencies to sensitize Congress and users to the need for additional resources.