Digital Coast Act Advances in Congress

NERRA applauds the passing of the Digital Coast Reauthorization Act S. 2245 in the Senate and thanks Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) for their bipartisan leadership. If enacted, this bill will help protect people, places, and economies throughout the U.S. Coastal Zone by increasing access to the uniform, high-quality data needed to respond to emergencies, plan for long-term coastal resilience, and manage water resources.

“By reauthorizing the Digital Coast program, practitioners will continue to be able to equip communities with essential resources and data to make informed choices about how to adapt to a changing coast,” says Rebecca Roth, executive director of the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA), a member of the Digital Coast Partnership.

Companion legislation led by Representatives Dave Min (D-CA), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), and Buddy Carter (R-GA) has passed through the Natural Resources Committee, and awaits passage by the full House. Both the Senate and House bills are endorsed by NERRA, the Coastal States Organization, American Planning Association, Association of State Floodplain Managers, National Association of Counties, National Society of Professional Surveyors, U.S Geospatial Executives Organization, Surfrider Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and the National States Geographic Information Council.

“The broad coalition of support for this legislation is a testimony to the value of a program that already delivers a 411%+ return on investment,” says Roth. “Digital Coast saves federal, state, and local governments time and money by creating a one-shop for authoritative data, training, and tools, and connecting these resources to the people who need it.”

Many challenges coastal communities face—such as flooding, rising sea levels, and extreme weather—are too large for any one group to manage. Digital Coast Partners, including NERRA and the Reserve System, collaborate to provide the expertise and resources necessary for communities to plan a way forward. They also amplify community priorities, ensuring their needs are heard and acted upon. For example, the North Carolina Reserve, is working with partners to ensure community voices shape flood solutions.

“Locals know the land and the waters, and they know where and how flooding impacts their lives,” says Whitney Jenkins, the Reserve’s training and engagement coordinator. “Our role has been to use Digital Coast tools to help bring them to the table so their knowledge translates into real solutions.”

Stay tuned for updates on the progress of this important legislation.