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Amends 16 U.S.C. 1464(a) (section 318(a) of the Coastal Zone Management Act) to add an additional paragraph authorizing appropriations for grants under the new section 320.
Adds a new provision to the Coastal Zone Management Act (added at the end of the Act as a new section titled '320 Climate change adaptation preparedness and response program') establishing a coastal climate change adaptation preparedness and response program with planning and implementation grant authorities, plan content requirements, technical assistance provisions, deadlines for issuing implementation guidelines, a requirement to promote use of National Estuarine Research Reserves for pilot projects, and a linkage to authorizations of appropriations.
Creates a new coastal climate change adaptation preparedness and response program under the Coastal Zone Management Act that lets the Secretary provide planning and implementation grants, technical assistance, and training to coastal States. States would develop coastal climate adaptation plans that meet statutory content requirements; the law sets deadlines for federal guidance and rulemaking, approval/allocation rules for grants, and authorizes funding for the program. The program is designed to help coastal governments and communities prepare for sea-level rise, storm surge, erosion, and other climate-driven coastal threats by funding planning, projects, and capacity-building while requiring standardized plan content and federal oversight for grant distribution.
Add a new Section 320 to the Coastal Zone Management Act establishing a coastal climate change adaptation preparedness and response program that the Secretary shall establish consistent with national policies in section 303.
Program purpose (1): Provide assistance to coastal States to voluntarily develop coastal climate change adaptation plans to minimize contributions to climate change and to prepare for and reduce negative consequences of climate change in the coastal zone.
Program purpose (2): Provide financial and technical assistance and training to enable coastal States to implement plans through coastal States' enforceable policies.
The Secretary may make grants to any coastal State for developing climate change adaptation plans under guidelines issued by the Secretary.
Plan content requirements: Plans developed with a grant must include (A) identification of public facilities, services, working waterfronts, coastal resources of national significance, coastal waters, energy facilities, or other land and water uses in the coastal zone likely to be impacted by climate change; (B) adaptive land-use management strategies including biodiversity protection, water quality protection, habitat buffer zones, migration corridors, and climate refugia; (C) adaptive management strategies for ocean-based ecosystems, including planning for shifts in marine resources, creating protected climate refugia, and maintaining/restoring ocean ecosystem function; (D) requirements to start and maintain long-term environmental monitoring to assess adaptation and adjust strategies and guidelines; (E) any other information the Secretary considers necessary to identify the full range of climate change impacts affecting coastal communities.
Who is affected and how:
Coastal State governments: Directly affected as the primary eligible recipients of planning and implementation grants; they must develop plans that meet federal content requirements and obtain federal approval to access funds. The program creates opportunities for funding and technical help but also new administrative steps to meet plan standards.
Coastal shoreline communities and local governments: Benefit from funded planning and resilience projects that reduce flood, erosion, and storm impacts; local governments may partner with States on projects and receive technical assistance. Communities may see improved infrastructure, hazard mitigation, and planning capacity.
Tribal communities with coastal areas: Eligible to benefit through State programs or direct partnerships if the authorization and guidance allow tribal participation; tribes with coastal lands may access planning and implementation support depending on program rules.
Federal agencies and program administrators: The Department (Secretary) gains new responsibilities to issue guidance, complete rulemaking, approve state plans, allocate grant funding, and provide technical assistance and training; agencies will need staff and administrative resources to run the program.
Nonprofit organizations, consultants, and contractors: Entities that provide planning, technical assistance, engineering, construction, and training services may see increased demand as States implement planning and projects funded by the grants.
Vulnerable and environmental justice communities: Intended indirect beneficiaries because the program targets coastal hazard preparedness and response; outcomes depend on plan priorities and grant allocation criteria that can prioritize vulnerable populations.
Net effects: The program should increase federal support for coastal adaptation, accelerate planning and resilience projects, and build state and local capacity. It also creates administrative requirements for States to meet plan standards and for Federal agencies to manage guidance, rulemaking, and grant distribution. The scale of impacts depends on future appropriations and the specifics of rulemaking and guidance.
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Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced April 24, 2025 by Salud Carbajal · Last progress April 24, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House