The Environment Agency and maritime local authorities work together on the flood protection of low lying ground and defending the coastline from erosion by the sea. The Environment Agency has a duty to exercise a general supervision over all matters relating to flood defence. Both the Agency and the maritime local authorities have powers to carry out sea defence works to protect low lying land against flooding by the sea. Maritime local authorities also have additional powers to carry out coast protection works to prevent erosion of the land by the sea. The Agency and local authorities are prime partners to the SMP production, so that the policies and decisions resulting from the SMPs are fed into each organisation's plans for its coastal frontage.