The Coastal Marshland Protection Act (CMPA) and the Coastal Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program are two of Georgias primary instruments for controlling human influence on the coastal marshlands. Understanding the history of these measures and their contemporary management challenges provides context for current efforts to improve coastal protection. Contemporary circumstances raise concerns about the ability of the CMPA to protect the marshlands from impacts of upland development. The Coastal NPS Program has the potential to address these development impacts but faces challenges of its own. University-based programs and environmental NGOs can strengthen coastal conservation efforts in Georgia by leveraging the existing resources and institutional infrastructure of these programs. This can be aided by focusing direct actions and assistance at the county level, promoting the collection and more consistent use of scientific information in coastal permitting decisions, and strengthening institutional and organizational networks.