The aim of this paper is twofold. The first is to provide evidence of the need for the integration of Coastal Zone Management policies within broader Environmental Management schemes on a regional scale, particularly in the case of semi-arid Mediterranean landscape where ephemeral stream basins connect natural coastal environment with sub-coastal ones. The second objective is to discuss an analytical methodology aiming at the construction of multi-discipline and multiple-scale interpretative patterns able to provide the means for both the delineation of a coherent global strategy and the implementation local policies in such a region. For the purpose of both objectives the study takes into account evidences resulting from expert (GIS--based) and common (community based) analyses preliminary to the establishment of a protected area in the catchments area of an ephemeral stream in the south-east of ltaly: Lama San Giorgio (BA).