Communities Threatened by Sea Level Rise May Get Help — If Congress Can Pass Legislation

Thursday, behind closed doors, House and Senate conferees are meeting to negotiate an important provision in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) — an investment mechanism for the oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes known as a National Endowment for the Oceans.  One of the few bipartisan bills this Congress, WRDA, is one that is expected to pass before the end of the year.

Proponents of the measure say creating an endowment for the oceans will provide critical resources and capacity to conserve and restore coastal wetlands.  “For all the coastal states, this is really big,” emphasized Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

“We need to relocate critical infrastructure, like water treatment plants and bridges, which are now at risk of being washed away.  The National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes can help coastal states and communities protect more of this infrastructure, protect more habitat that sustains our fisheries, conduct more research, and clean more waters and beaches.  The need is great and we must respond.”

In addition, the measure would help cities and local governments prepare for the increasing vulnerability of coastal infrastructure such as roads, sewage treatment plants, and energy facilities to the effects of climate change.  Written throughout the provision are ways to do this, including “planning for and managing coastal development to enhance ecosystem integrity or minimize impacts from sea level change and coastal erosion” and “protection and relocation of critical coastal public infrastructure affected by erosion or sea level change.”

Communities Threatened by Sea Level Rise May Get Help — If Congress Can Pass Legislation