Healthy coasts are a wise investment. Coastlines protect communities from storms and sea level rise, provide habitat and ecological benefits, support coastal economies, provide recreation to local residents and draw tourists from around the world. This means healthy coastlines bring multiple returns on the investment made by the federal government, state and local project sponsors and private investors.
So what can federal agencies do now to sensibly invest in healthy coastlines?
Federal agencies don’t always set their own directions, so some of these suggestions may take Congressional action to fully implement. But if agency leaders pursue the changes they can make and request the ones they can’t, we can realize some real progress in investing in our nation’s coasts.
NOTE: These recommendations are drawn from the 2016 Legislative and Federal Agency Agenda developed by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA), a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1926 that advocates for healthy coastlines by promoting the integration of science, policies and actions that maintain, protect and enhance the coasts of America.
Please consider joining the ASBPA.