What does CBRA mean in UNCLASSIFIED

The Coastal Barriers Resource Act (CBRA) is a U.S. federal law that was enacted in 1982 to protect fragile barrier islands and other coastal areas from the impacts of development through regulations on activities such as construction and dredging in these areas.

CBRA covers all barrier islands, coastal wetlands, estuaries, reefs, and similar areas along many U.S. coasts including those on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as well as numerous Gulf Coast states like Texas and Florida.

Activities like construction, dredging, filling, or other activities requiring a permit from a federal agency are generally restricted by CBRA due to potential environmental impacts to protected coastal areas.

By restricting certain activities in protected areas, CBRA helps ensure that natural processes such as erosion and flooding can continue without interference from human activity which can cause significant damage to sensitive ecosystems along the coastlines of many states.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has direct responsibility for enforcing the provisions of the act in order to ensure compliance with its various regulations designed to protect vulnerable coastal environments around the country.[END]

Conclusion: While not perfect, the Coastal Barriers Resource Act provides a valuable tool for protecting fragile coastal environments in both developed and undeveloped areas around our nation's coastline. It also allows us to enjoy these beautiful places while allowing nature's processes to continue relatively undisturbed by human presence or activity.