As sea levels rise along U.S. coasts, it may soon get easier for
people and local governments to obtain federal permits to build what are
known as “living shorelines,” natural or nature-based structures
designed to protect communities and infrastructure from extreme storms
and flooding even as they protect habitat.The Army Corps of Engineers is considering a new category to its
nationwide permits that would allow speedier approval of living
shorelines, which include wetlands with sea and marsh grasses, sand
dunes, mangroves, and coral reefs.Currently, it’s much faster for property owners in many parts of the
country to get a permit for sea walls, bulkheads and other so-called
gray infrastructure than it is to get a permit for construction of
nature-based systems. If the corps moves forward with the new category,
though, permits to build living shorelines could be issued in as few as
45 days, instead of 215, a spokesman for the agency said.“The living shoreline piece is a part of what we’re pushing as a
nonstructural, nature-based method that is a lot less costly,” said Lt.
Gen. Thomas Bostick, who ushered in the proposed permit during his time
as chief of the Army Corps of Engineers, before his retirement last
week. “It helps us with our environmental focus; it helps us with the
endangered species, perhaps. All of that is a natural way that we can
reclaim some of our land and take the focus off of expensive
infrastructure.”The move toward more natural coastline protection comes as federal
agencies, state governments, and local and business leaders focus
increasingly on the concept of resilience as they plan for how
communities will adapt to climate change.
so much better to read this than listening to RNC.
This is why we need a normal competent government.
“Living Shorelines” Will Get Fast Track to Combat Sea Level Rise
tinfoilparachute 