Coastal barriers are the beaches, dunes, wetlands and barrier islands that protect waterfront communities and provide critical habitat for a variety of wildlife.
Coastal barriers act as natural buffers against storms, erosion, wind and waves.
Barrier areas also support valuable wetlands that are essential to an abundance of fish and wildlife. Undeveloped lands placed in the protective System can no longer receive federal funds, including federal flood insurance , for new development. The System does not prohibit state, local or private funding for new development, and its federal funding restriction does not apply to pre-existing construction. The denial of federal development subsidies, particularly federal flood insurance, is significant. By denying access to these subsidies, the financial burden of coastal construction is placed squarely on the shoulders of the private developer, where it belongs.