Coastal erosion is a very important issue that presents major problems for individuals and their property. Barrier islands are dynamic systems that erode and accrete depending on various factors like coastal storms, sea level rise, geology, and the hard stabilization of the shoreline. These factors create a difficult situation to analyze and an even more difficult situation to manage. In this example, the focus is on Nags Head, a coastal North Carolina city that is intimately familiar with erosion. The USGS 1997 shoreline can be seen in gold, as well as section of the cities parcel data. Notice the parcels highlighted in red. These are parcels that are currently being affected by coastal erosion.