This article argues that the Coastal Zone Management Act is not effectively addressing the problems Congress recognized in 1972 when the law was passed. The principal reason for this deficiency is that the Act has been interpreted as a neutral planning process which emphasizes decision‐making procedures at the expense of policy substance. However, there now exist in many states structures that enable us to begin to deal with coastal problems. Current management problems are discussed and recommendations to strengthen coastal zone management programs are presented.