WASHINGTON (April 19, 2024)—The Nationwide Audubon Society at the moment praised the Senate for passing bipartisan laws strengthening the Coastal Barrier Assets Act (CBRA), which has buffered individuals and birds from flooding and storm surges for greater than 40 years, and saved taxpayers billions of {dollars}, by defending undeveloped seashores, wetlands, and different coastal areas.
“It is a nice step for uncovered coastal communities, susceptible chook habitat, and endangered wetlands that want extra safety from coastal storms and flooding,” stated Portia Mastin, coastal conservation coverage supervisor at Nationwide Audubon Society. “We’re grateful for Senator Carper’s and Senator Graham’s dedication to defending our coastal communities and susceptible chook populations, and we stay up for speedy adoption within the Home of Representatives in order that President Biden can signal this historic laws quickly.”
The Strengthening Coastal Communities Act was launched final yr by Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The Senate handed it Thursday evening, April 18, on a unanimous consent vote.
“Audubon South Carolina thanks Senator Graham for his important work and management on the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2023,” stated Julia Dietz, coverage director of Audubon South Carolina, “This laws is vitally necessary to defending South Carolina coastal communities and species, such because the Black Skimmer.”
Since 1982 the bipartisan CBRA has protected an estimated 3.5 million acres of pristine, undeveloped seashores, barrier islands, inlets, and wetlands alongside the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Nice Lakes, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It has been remarkably efficient.
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By eradicating eligibility for federal funding and monetary help (like flood insurance coverage) in delicate coastal areas, CBRA has saved taxpayers practically $10 billion up to now, supplied protected habitat for birds and different wildlife, and buffered close by communities in opposition to storms and sea-level rise.
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A recent study discovered that CBRA is very efficient at reaching its meant targets—decreasing improvement by 85% in flood-prone areas, decreasing flood injury in close by communities by 25%, and including ecologically necessary layers of safety.
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These protections make sure that coastal birds like American Oystercatchers and Piping Plovers that depend on these areas can nest, feed, and relaxation safely.
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These wholesome, protected habitats additionally act as nature’s velocity bumps, buffering close by communities from storms and floodwaters.
In 2022 the Division of the Inside recommended that Congress add over 277,000 acres to the CBRA system in 9 states from New Hampshire to Virginia that had been hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy with a purpose to save federal tax {dollars} and higher shield the Atlantic Coast in opposition to future storms. The Division of Inside additionally really helpful including over 15,000 acres alongside North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana.
The brand new Strengthening Coastal Communities Act will implement the Inside Division’s suggestions, and add new protected areas to the system which might be susceptible to storms and sea-level rise. This would be the largest enlargement of the Coastal Barrier Assets System (CBRS) since 1990.
“This important enlargement of the CBRS is essential to defending susceptible habitats alongside the Delaware coast, and all Mid-Atlantic coasts which might be important stop-overs for migrating birds, like Crimson Knots and Widespread Terns,”stated Jim Brown, coverage director of Audubon Mid-Atlantic. “We commend Senator Carper for his management on this enlargement.”
The brand new act will even authorize a pilot challenge to determine new upland areas the place seashores and marshes can naturally migrate as sea ranges rise, and develop the definition of coastal landforms included within the system, all of which is able to improve local weather resiliency for the long run.
Media contact: Robyn Shepherd, robyn.shepherd@audubon.org
About Audubon
The Nationwide Audubon Society protects birds and the locations they want, at the moment and tomorrow. Audubon works all through the Americas utilizing science, advocacy, schooling, and on-the-ground conservation. State packages, nature facilities, chapters, and companions give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches tens of millions of individuals annually to tell, encourage, and unite various communities in conservation motion. A nonprofit conservation group since 1905, Audubon believes in a world during which individuals and wildlife thrive. Be taught extra at www.audubon.org and on Fb, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.