As Congress heads out of DC for its August recess/district work period[1], here’s an update of where coastal FY18 appropriations stand. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) coastal appropriations. The full House of Representatives passed the Energy & Water Appropriations Bill on July 27th as part of a “mini-omnibus” that included Defense, Veterans Affairs, and…
While the near-daily DC dramas may provide entertainment to some and fund-raising fodder for others, we should not be distracted by these diversions into forgetting what Washington is really about: Running the federal government, funding its operations and moving forward on the priorities of the people who put them into office. In the case of…
As anyone within 50 miles of a storm-prone coast surely knows, June 1 is the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. But as we head further into July towards the heart of the season in August and September, chances that a storm might spin up in the warming waters increases. Depending on how recently a…
Viewing coastal sediment (basically, sand, cobble and fine-grained material) as an asset rather than an afterthought is the focus of a recent article – making the case that how we manage sand is an issue of even greater importance now as climate change and human intervention are dramatically changing the way such sediment is needed…
Much has been said about recent responses to the issue of climate change, so there’s no need to add to that conversation. However, coastal professionals and residents understand that, ultimately, sea level change and other consequences of a warming climate are not political realities, but scientific ones. More important, they are personal realities… and doing…
Capitol Hill Day: Wednesday, July 12th. Register here. In District Day(s): Wednesday, August 16th (or anytime during August Congressional recess). Register here. This summer is the most important time in decades for the future of federal coastal funding. Coastal funding is facing unprecedented threats from the administration and Congress that is actively seeking to make major cuts…
FORT MYERS, FL – From a childhood spent building sand castles to adolescent walks on the beach to adults enjoying family time, America’s beaches are synonymous with celebrating summer. With the beginning of the summer beach season a few days away, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) today released its much-anticipated annual list…
After your beach was nourished, did you wonder where all that sand went? A new white paper has an easy answer: Right where it was designed to go. The movement of large volumes of sand from newly nourished beaches is simply a process of “profile equilibration,” explains the white paper just published by the American…
Years – even decades – of experience has proven that sound science is essential for sound coastal management and protection. So any efforts to undercut coastal science, either by cuts in funding or a general dismissive attitude – is cause for concern. Early calls for drastic budget cuts in federal spending for crucial coastal agencies…
Communities with coastal management programs in place may feel they are ready for whatever sea level change may throw at them (within reason). Should the level rise, they can adapt by increasing the height of the beach and dunes to compensate for both higher tides and stronger storms. But for those communities who are on…