The University of New Hampshire (UNH) Center for Integrative Regional Problem Solving (CIRPS), in collaboration with UNH Cooperative Extension, received funding in March 2004 from the New Hampshire Estuaries Project (NHEP) for the first phase of development of an on-line resource clearinghouse. The purpose of this project was to help rapidly growing communities make informed decisions to minimize urban sprawl and its adverse effects in coastal watersheds in New Hampshire. This project directly addressed the NHEP Management Plan action plan LND-6: Minimize urban sprawl in coastal watersheds. The clearinghouse also helps to achieve the aims of LND-6F: Assist communities that embrace a strong smart growth philosophy to conduct comprehensive reviews, identify sources of funding, provide public education, and implement new land-use tools. The clearinghouse project was initiated at the 2003 Voices of Communities Experiencing Rapid Change CIRPS Symposium, during which community decision makers from the New Hampshire seacoast and beyond identified actions that would help to meet their needs.