The federal government has approved over $575 million to assist coastal communities in implementing nature-based strategies to combat climate-related flooding and other natural disasters. The initiative, led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), aims to enhance the resilience of various states, focusing on Native American, urban, and underserved communities vulnerable to recurring floods, wildfires, and other weather-related calamities.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo highlighted the initiative’s goal to bolster the adaptability of America’s coastline communities in the face of climate change. Among the projects is the allocation of $72 million for “living shorelines” in New Jersey, utilizing natural elements like native plants and oyster reefs to revive and safeguard waterfronts. The funding will also support the replacement of sidewalks with permeable pavement, green roofs, and the creation of parks in flood-prone zones to absorb excess waters.
The plan encompasses climate risk assessments for over 100 Native communities in Alaska, extending tribal adaptation support statewide, and promoting local knowledge exchange. Furthermore, it includes employing nature-based solutions to shield Monterrey Bay in California, establish native forests to mitigate wildfire risks in Hawaii, and create green spaces on Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island.
NOAA and the U.S. Commerce Department officials unveiled the initiative during a press conference in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, a state that faced severe damage from Superstorm Sandy in 2012. New Jersey’s environmental protection commissioner, Shawn LaTourette, stressed the urgency for federal intervention and investment due to the frequent occurrence of flooding in the region.
The funding for these projects is part of NOAA’s Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. Environmental organizations have voiced preference for natural coastal protection methods over traditional “hard engineering” solutions like sea walls, citing the latter’s potential to exacerbate erosion. The combination of both approaches is often sought after by coastal areas to ensure comprehensive shore protection.
Innovative strategies are emerging from this paradigm shift, such as the implementation of coconut husk fibers by New Jersey’s American Littoral Society to stabilize eroding shorelines. Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., a New Jersey Democrat, indicated that rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavement will be integrated into several projects to mitigate rainwater and storm surges effectively, preventing overflow into sewers.
