WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Strengthening Coastal Communities Act was introduced by Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Senator for Delaware Tom Carper, as well as Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham. The act moved forward via voice vote on Wednesday.
Officials say the legislation would amend and reauthorize the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, as well as codify maps to update and add units to the Coastal Barrier Resource System.
The legislators say this would include the codification of 195 updated or new maps transmitted to congress by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. They say this also includes $5 million annually for the program threw fiscal year 2028.
“We are seeing firsthand how climate change is fueling stronger, more devastating storms that threaten coastal states, including Delaware,” said Chairman Carper. “The Strengthening Coastal Communities Act would make much-needed updates to the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, providing us with the tools to make communities more resilient while preserving habitat and saving taxpayer money. I thank Senator Graham and our colleagues for moving this important legislation one step closer to becoming law.”
“The Strengthening Coastal Communities Act makes important updates to Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) maps impacting South Carolina and allows for increased local input as additional maps are considered,” said Senator Graham. “I am proud to work with my colleagues and Chairman Carper to move this legislation forward and protect vulnerable land from coastal hazards such as flooding and storm surge.”
“Birds and people urgently need more protection on our coasts from storms and flooding. This bill meets that challenge by maximizing the benefits of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act while saving the federal taxpayer millions of dollars,” said Portia Mastin, coastal conservation policy manager at the National Audubon Society.
The full bill can be found here.