Federal Engagement
Federal Testimony
Federal Briefing by Mary-Carson Stiff, Executive Director of Wetlands Watch on National Security Impacts of Climate Change in Virginia
April 2, 2024
On April 2, 2024, Wetlands Watch travelled to Washington, D.C., to brief Congressional staff on the pressing national security impacts of climate change in Virginia. The briefing, entitled “The National Security: Climate Adaptation Nexus,” was hosted by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) in the Rayburn House Office Building. Mary-Carson Stiff, Executive Director of Wetlands Watch, was a key participant on a panel of national experts in climate adaptation and emergency preparedness.
During her presentation, Mary-Carson Stiff underscored the critical role of the Department of Defense (DOD) in Virginia’s climate change planning efforts at both the state and local levels. With Virginia leading the nation in DOD spending—totaling $62.7 billion in 2022—and the Hampton Roads region receiving $27.1 billion in 2023 for its 16 military installations, the stakes for addressing climate impacts are exceptionally high. Despite Hampton Roads experiencing the fastest rate of sea level rise on the east coast, military spending in the region has continued to grow, now accounting for 40% of the area’s total spending.
Mary-Carson highlighted the challenges faced by military personnel in the region, including frequent flood days disrupting school and work, inadequate flood risk disclosure for housing, and nuisance flooding obstructing access to military bases. She emphasized that these issues directly threaten military readiness and national security, making it imperative for the region to engage in joint planning exercises to mitigate these risks. Her call to action focused on the need to support local governments, which are at the forefront of climate adaptation efforts but often lack the resources and capacity to address the growing crisis effectively.
The panel, which also included representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and Jacobs, provided a range of perspectives on the intersection of national security and climate adaptation. Discussions ranged from the importance of local government coordination with military bases to the essential role of basic infrastructure, like indoor plumbing, in ensuring national security.
For More Information
View a video here.
Read our article on M-C’s testimony here.
Testimony of William A. Stiles, Jr., Senior Advisor/ Former Founding Executive Director, Wetlands Watch, Regarding the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, H.R. 4590, and H.R. 2437.
Before the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, & Fisheries, September 28, 2023
Background
The Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA)—a program which enjoys broad bipartisan support—is one of those rare federal programs that pursues a number important goals at once. It is designed to conserve undeveloped coastal habitats, promote public safety, and save federal tax dollars all at the same time.
By prohibiting certain federal expenditures in frequently inundated coastal areas, the Act discourages development in vulnerable coastal regions, which in turn protects natural habitats and reduces the risk of storm damage to communities. The Act has been credited with saving taxpayers nearly $10 billion, and is projected to save billions more in the coming years.
Challenge of Rising Seas
As rising seas and climate change intensify, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act faces a growing challenge: the very coastal areas it aims to protect are deteriorating and are increasingly vulnerable. The encroaching tides are not only eroding shorelines but also diminishing the effectiveness of the Act by threatening the undeveloped habitats and communities it was designed to safeguard.
Solution
To counteract these effects, there is an urgent need to expand and reinforce CBRA’s protections. This can be achieved by updating the Act’s maps to include additional at-risk areas, launching a Coastal Hazards Pilot Project, and broadening the definition of a "coastal barrier" to encompass regions newly impacted by rising sea levels. These steps are crucial to ensuring the Act continues to fulfill its vital role in conserving coastal habitats, promoting public safety, and protecting taxpayer investments.
For More Information
Read a transcript of Skip’s testimony here.
View a video here.
Read the associated Public Comment here.
Read our article on Skip’s testimony here.
Recent Public Comments
2024, 6 May. Public Comment Regarding the National Wildlife Refuge Proposal on Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health Proposed Regulations and Policy Updates.
Wetlands Watch joins the Southern Environmental Law Center’s coalition of conservation groups that support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's proposed regulations to enhance the management of the National Wildlife Refuge System by prioritizing biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health. These updates emphasize climate change considerations, scientific rigor, and habitat connectivity, which are crucial for protecting wildlife refuges, particularly in the Southeast. The coalition also suggests improvements to the regulations, urging the Service to prioritize ecological restoration and secure adequate funding to maintain the resilience and biodiversity of these vital natural areas.
2024, 24 April. Public Comment Regarding New Federal Interagency Sea Level Rise Website.
2024, 8 April. Public Comment Regarding Army Corps of Engineers Proposed Regulation: COE–2023–0005 “Agency Specific Procedures to Implement the Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for Federal Investments in Water Resources”
Wetlands Watch joins The Coastal Flood Resilience Project (CFRP), a coalition of nonprofit organizations focused on preparing for coastal storm flooding and sea level rise, to provide feedback to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on new regulations for water resource investments. The CFRP and signatories support the inclusion of non-monetary benefits, nature-based solutions, and environmental justice in the decision-making process but recommends several improvements. These include using the most accurate sea level rise projections, extending the analysis period to account for long-term risks, and prioritizing social and environmental justice in project planning. We also urge the Corps to finalize the regulations by the end of 2024 to avoid further delays in addressing the growing threats posed by climate change to coastal communities.
Also, see 2024, 15 April. Public Comment Regarding Army Corps of Engineers Proposed Regulation: COE–2023–0005 “Agency Specific Procedures to Implement the Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for Federal Investments in Water Resources”
2023, 7 November. Public Comment Regarding H.R 5490, the Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm Act (BEACH Act.).
Wetlands Watch joins a diverse group of organizations, including fiscal conservatives, environmentalists, and insurance industry leaders, to urge Congress to strengthen H.R. 5490, the Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm Act (BEACH Act). The bill aims to expand the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA), a program that has saved taxpayers billions by preventing federal funds from being used for development in vulnerable coastal areas. The group supports adding 290,000 acres to the CBRA System to protect coastal communities, wildlife habitats, and economies from flooding and hurricanes. They also advocate for the inclusion of a pilot project to better plan for future coastal hazards like sea level rise, as well as an updated definition of coastal barriers to ensure tax dollars aren’t spent on developing at-risk areas. These changes would help safeguard both current and future coastal communities and ecosystems.
The Coastal Flood Resilience Project
The CFRF Project is a national initiative focused on addressing and enhancing resilience to coastal flooding, particularly in response to climate change and rising sea levels. The project typically involves collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, nonprofits, researchers, and community groups, to develop strategies and implement actions that reduce the risks and impacts of coastal flooding.
The CFRP's activities include assessing flood hazards, identifying and prioritizing resilience projects, providing guidance on risk assessment, and supporting the development of policies and plans to protect vulnerable coastal communities. The project also aims to ensure that resilience efforts are data-driven, community-led, and equitable, with a focus on sustainable and long-term solutions.
Wetlands Watch is proud to participate in this national effort.