In a year when everybody’s plans changed, ASBPA government affairs work both responded to the times – with a new focus on COVID response to help coastal communities – and stayed the same – with a continued focus on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and appropriations. We did not expect significant coastal policy investment…
Late on Monday, December 21st, Congress passed a major package of legislation, including most prominently the FY21 federal budget and a $900 billion COVID economic stimulus. Importantly for coastal communities, this bill also included the 2020 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). We expect the president to sign the bill soon. Here is a summary of…
Everyone loves a good beach read (even if it is a technical report on coastal management)! Here are some resources published this year by American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) and other coastal organizations on Covid-19, Resilience, and Funding. Whether you are reading at the beach or just about the beach, we hope you…
As Congress grapples with how to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic and the economic challenges it has created, they have largely ignored the unique difficulties facing coastal communities who rely on beach- and coastal-based tourism. See our previous article on how coastal communities are hurting. See our Covid Advocacy Toolkit for how you and your…
As Congress debates how to help state, county and local governments whose budgets have been devastated by coronavirus, we in the coastal and beach community need to speak up! With many beach towns and departments funded through some type of tourism generated revenue – hotel and occupancy taxes, local sales taxes, beach badges, parking fees,…
As beaches re-open after stay-at-home orders are lifted, beach departments across the country are facing a triple whammy of challenges: Massive budget shortfalls and staffing cuts, Increased costs for cleaning and security, and huge crowds of people eager to get outdoors and recreate. Thus far, communities have faced these challenges with very little support from…