Rep. Blunt Rochester Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Protect Coastal Environment And Communities

WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Delaware, issued the following news release:

This week, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester and Congressman Neal Dunn introduced the bipartisan Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2018 to help homeowners access disaster relief funds and preserve thousands of acres of coastline. The legislation updates existing coastal barrier maps across the country under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA).

In Delaware, the North Bethany Beach unit mistakenly included the South Shore Marina housing development, and this bill allows property owners to qualify for grants and assistance from the National Flood Insurance Program and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"Each year, millions of tourists travel to the First State to enjoy the beauty of our beaches and appreciate our vibrant coastal communities. Tourism is a vital economic engine to our state, and we must continue to preserve our most precious natural resource so that future generations can enjoy its economic security and natural wonders," said Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. "The Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2018 is a common-sense fix that grants homeowners in communities like North Bethany Beach the ability to access the same federal resources and assistance as others in the event of a natural disaster. I'm proud to introduce a bill that adds hundreds of acres of beach and wetlands to the protected coastal map area in Delaware and preserves our state's natural beauty, while ensuring neighborhoods have access to critical federal benefits."