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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program Decadal Science Strategy

January 3, 2020

Welcome to the Decadal Science Strategy of the U.S. Geological Survey Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP) for 2020 to 2030. This plan describes the CMHRP's vision and mission and the strategic framework needed to support key program goals: Conduct research and develop science-based tools that lead to safer, more productive coastal communities and improved stewardship of natural resources.

A pyramid broken up into 4 pieces stacked on top of each other to show the framework of a research program.
In order to provide scientific information and products that can be used to reduce risks from natural hazards and to increase national prosperity, the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will use four overarching approaches to develop and apply program resources: Build on the USGS’s and CMHRP’s foundation of scientific integrity, expertise, and collaboration with partners. Invest in capabilities required to achieve the CMHRP’s mission. Address priority information needs and management challenges across diverse environments. Integrate knowledge for comprehensive, long-term support to the Nation. These components constitute a strategic framework that enables the program to provide the scientific information and products required for achieving its mission to conduct research and develop science-based tools that lead to safer, more productive coastal communities and to improved stewardship of natural resources. At the most fundamental level, the framework relies on program resources such as a skilled and flexible workforce to develop essential capabilities that address the Nation’s needs and challenges. The CMHRP applies these capabilities across varied coastal and marine environments, then builds on the expertise and knowledge gained to develop science-based products of increasing scope, scale, and complexity. This framework permits the CMHRP to address shifting management priorities and diverse stakeholder requirements and to develop robust methods for gathering a variety of data in complex physical environments.