Sea Level Rise is a global concern that has varying and potentially serious consequences on the local level. Although national policies and international frameworks can help to reduce the severity of sea level rise by limiting future emissions, in the current policy framework in the United States, local governments hold most of the responsibility for protecting their communities from flooding and the impacts of future sea level rise, with limited assistance from state and federal governments. Recognizing that local governments are largely driven by their community’s needs and desires, a survey of 500 persons affiliated with coastal communities across the east coast of the United States was conducted to identify public perceptions on the relative priority of sea level rise planning, components that should be included in local plans, protection priorities, funding mechanisms, methods to resolve conflict, and acceptable adaptation responses. The information from this survey was then provided to representatives from six local governments in a barrier island New Jersey to help identify its appropriateness and usefulness for local planning. In addition to discussing the key findings of the public survey, an overview of the responses from government officials will be presented, with an emphasis on comparing and contrasting the viewpoints of public officials and members of the public to help foster stronger collaborations among all members of a community (residents, businesses, utilities, governments and others) to help address local adaptation in light of this complex issue.