When the word “infrastructure” comes up, most people think of steel and concrete, bridges and ports. But our water and coastal infrastructure is just as critical to the American economy and creates (and protects) just as many jobs, but does so with sand and sediment, roots and grass. Infrastructure refers to the structures, systems, and…
What is the future of federal coastal involvement and investment with a new administration taking the reins in Washington, DC? That’s the focus of an upcoming conference focused on federal policy and regulation. This Coastal Summit, entitled “A New Commitment to Our Coast,” will be held in Washington Feb. 28-March 2, presented by the American…
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed S.612, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act” or the “WIIN Act” (also known as the Water Resource Development Act [WRDA]), which includes many provisions to help protect, restore, and increase the resilience of U.S. coastlines. The bill passed the House 360-61 and the Senate 78-21,…
In partnership with ASBPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC), and the U.S. Geological Survey’s Coastal Marine Geology Program has awarded $265,672 in federal funding to directly support academic research to investigate dune management challenges on developed coasts. Each university was awarded $40,000-$50,000 for the following projects, which…
On Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed S.2848, the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA), which includes many provisions to help protect, restore, and increase the resilience of U.S. coastlines. The bill passed 95-3, with overwhelming bipartisan support. The House of Representatives must now act for the bill to move to the President’s desk. “Hurricane Hermine should serve…
Almost four years after the devastation brought on by the landfall of Superstorm Sandy, coastal scientists and policy-makers are still working to fashion a response shaped by the lessons learned from the storm. Some of the battle is scope, particularly given Sandy’s unique size and attributes. Another factor is sound science, since gathering, analyzing and…
On Monday August 1st, American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) submitted comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in support of the proposed new nationwide permit for “Living Shorelines.” The intent of the new permit is to make it easier for property owners to install natural bank stabilization. This should reduce traditional coastal…
Congress is in the midst of working to move forward another Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) – the first since 2014, which had an additional R (for “Reform”) included. Why is that news for coastal communities? First, WRDA bills are the way the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gets its marching orders on all water…