Home / Environment / Virginia Lawmakers Tackle Rising Seas: New Flood Funds Eyed
Virginia Lawmakers Tackle Rising Seas: New Flood Funds Eyed
19 Nov
Summary
- Norfolk faces a $2.6 billion flood defense project through 2038.
- Virginia seeks a fund for local nonfederal cost shares on flood projects.
- Dredged waterway material may be repurposed for habitats and shorelines.
As Virginia prepares for its next legislative session, climate change and recurring flooding are at the forefront. A joint committee has proposed new legislation to bolster flood resilience and funding for related projects across the commonwealth. Norfolk is currently engaged in a significant, multi-phase $2.6 billion flood defense initiative with the Army Corps of Engineers, projected to continue until 2038.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a dedicated fund to assist localities with their nonfederal cost-sharing obligations for federally supported flood risk management projects. Currently, localities must seek individual appropriations, a process that strains smaller communities. This new mechanism aims for more equitable distribution of funds.
Further recommendations include establishing precipitation standards for stormwater management and infrastructure design. Additionally, a bill proposes repurposing dredged sediment from waterways, currently considered waste, into resources for habitats and living shorelines, reflecting a shift towards more sustainable coastal resilience strategies.
