Kilmer Announces Grant for Regional Coastal Resiliency Efforts
TACOMA, WA – Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) announced that Washington Sea Grant has received a grant to work with the city of Tacoma and other communities to better prepare for rising sea levels. The award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will help develop and implement new approaches to enhancing coastal resilience to storm surges and shoreline erosion.
The award comes through NOAA’s Regional Coastal Resilience Grants program that provides investments to comprehensive projects that utilize science-based solutions and collaborative partnerships. Washington Sea Grant will use the investment in Tacoma, Island County, and other communities to fill critical information gaps and devise better action plans to counter resiliency challenges. These methods and information could be shared with and adopted by other communities on Washington state’s coast.
“Communities in our region are tied to the ocean,” said Kilmer. “But we know that violent storms and tsunamis can flood communities, dislocate families, and threaten public safety. We must do more to prepare our neighborhoods and cities for these challenges and a changing climate. This grant will give stakeholders on the ground the resources they need to develop and implement cutting edge approaches to protect our communities.”
Kilmer is a leader on efforts to improve coastal resiliency. Last year he reintroduced a bill to support Native American tribes living in coastal areas and facing threats from severe weather and took part in a Tribal Tsunami and Climate Resilience Summit. He also introduced a bipartisan bill to expand key disaster assistance to rural communities in Washington state and across the country.
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