The Texas Coastal Zone is marked by diversity in geography, resources, climate, and industry. It is richly andowed with extensive petroleum reserves, sulfur and salt, deep-water ports, intracoastal waterways, mild climate, good water supplies, abundant wildlife, commercial fishing resources, unusual recreational potential, and large tracts of uncrowded land in close proximity to major population centers.

Geologic map that depicts the surface geology of Mills County and parts of Runnels, Coleman, Brown, Comanche, Erath, Hamilton, Coryell, Lampasas, San Saba, McCulloch, Concho, and Menard Counties. The 21-page booklet indicates geologic formations, abbreviations, and ages.

The public tends to dismiss floods as somewhat unreal catastrophes or occasional inconveniences that usually affect others. When a flood disaster strikes at the local level, the magnitude of the event is appraised in terms of the damage to human works on the river-valley floor or, in some cases, in terms of the loss of life. Resources are mobilized to combat the disaster, and discussions ensue concerning flood control plans and projects.

Change, both natural and man-induced, is a significant and defining element of the Coastal Zone. Man-induced change, by definition, can be controlled if desired. The work of nature, however, is altered and modified with much more difficulty, if at all, and attempts to do so commonly lead to unintended results. Prudent use and adequate management of the Coastal Zone must consider natural changes.