Although perhaps not thorough enough or fast enough, the Legislature is at least doing something about the fast-approaching crisis of rising seas.
Read the complete article here in Florida Politics.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
Legislation expanding sea-level rise impact study requirements is set for a third reading in the House and then a likely journey over to the Senate.
The bill (HB 111) directs the Resilient Florida Grant Program to provide money for local governments to conduct feasibility studies and cover permitting costs for nature-based solutions to the impact of flooding and sea-level rise….
“Given the fact that the broad threat of sea-level rise to Florida goes beyond just the coastal areas, this bill requires that sea-level impact projection studies are done on any publicly financed infrastructure projects deemed to be at-risk due to sea-level rise,” Parkland Democratic Rep. Christine Hunschofsky said.
That covers historical and cultural assets, along with critical assets as defined in state law, which covers a vast amount of government facilities and areas of responsibility.
“This bill will also allow feasibility studies and the cost of permitting for nature-based solutions as a qualifying use for planning grants under the Resilient Florida program.”
It additionally expands funding to cover water management districts’ efforts supporting local government adaptation planning.
“The bill defines an ‘area at risk due to sea-level rise’ as any location that is projected to be below the threshold for tidal flooding within the next 50 years by adding (sea-level rise) using the highest of two local (sea-level rise) scenarios, which must include the 2017 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intermediate-low and intermediate-high (sea-level rise) projections,” according to a House staff analysis.
House members asked no questions and offered no amendments as the bill rolled over to third reading.
Wes Wolfe
Wes Wolfe is a reporter who’s worked for newspapers across the South, winning press association awards for his work in Georgia and the Carolinas. He lives in Jacksonville and previously covered state politics, environmental issues and courts for the News-Leader in Fernandina Beach. You can reach Wes at wes@floridapolitics.com and @WesWolfeFP. Facebook: facebook.com/wes.wolfe
