Coastal Communities Adaptation Act - Summer

Team Members: Erin Dickinson (Manager), Jonathan Rubin (Deputy Manager), Zhiyi Chen, Maya Fuller, Yichu Lu, Siwei Pan, Jonas Goldman, Claire Sesser, Xinyi Wu, Julia Weigel, Katlin Stath

Coastal communities across the United States face increasing risks from climate change, including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and intensified storm events. Rising seas and stronger storms threaten infrastructure, ecosystems, and economic stability, particularly in low-lying and densely populated coastal areas. Flooding and storm damage disrupt transportation, housing, and essential services while imposing significant economic costs. Without proactive adaptation, these risks are expected to worsen, increasing vulnerability for coastal populations and economic sectors dependent on coastal stability. The Coastal Communities Adaptation Act (H.R. 1317) establishes a federal grant program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support coastal resilience planning, infrastructure investment, and implementation of adaptation strategies.

The analysis finds that combining engineered infrastructure with nature-based solutions provides the most effective and sustainable protection. Living shorelines, wetlands restoration, and natural buffers reduce storm surge impacts while supporting ecosystem health and biodiversity. Federal funding and technical assistance improve the capacity of local governments to implement adaptation projects, particularly in resource-constrained communities. Early investment in resilience significantly reduces long-term disaster recovery costs and improves economic stability. Establishing clear performance metrics and prioritizing vulnerable communities ensures effective resource allocation. Strengthening coastal resilience through coordinated federal investment and planning improves public safety, protects infrastructure, and supports long-term environmental and economic sustainability in coastal regions.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.