The federal government has various programs that ENCOURAGE development along our coasts–development that has negative impacts on the environment. The Coastal Barriers Resources Act is designed to remove these federal incentives. According to www.fws.gov/CBRA/:
In the early 1980s, Congress recognized that certain actions and programs of the Federal Government have historically subsidized and encouraged development on coastal barriers, resulting in the loss of natural resources; threats to human life, health, and property; and the expenditure of millions of tax dollars each year. To remove the federal incentive to develop these areas, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) of 1982 and subsequent amendments designated relatively undeveloped coastal barriers along the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico coasts as part of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS), and made these areas ineligible for most new federal expenditures and financial assistance. CBRA encourages the conservation of hurricane prone, biologically rich coastal barriers by restricting federal expenditures that encourage development, such as federal flood insurance. Areas within the CBRS can be developed provided that private developers or other non-federal parties bear the full cost.
Changes are being proposed. You can voice your opinion until July 10, 2018. See below for details. You can register to participate in a “conference call” public meeting on May 9, 2018 (preregistration required.)
“ US Department of the Interior to propose changes to the CBRS”
The US Department of the Interior, Division of Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing changes to boundaries of 148 units located in Delaware, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. These changes are an effort to modernize maps of the CBRS ( Coastal Barrier Resources Act) for nine states affected by Hurricane Sandy. The proposed boundaries are accesible via the CBRS Projects Mapper at https://www.fws.gov/cbra/maps/Mapper.html
Additional information related to the proposed changes and instructions for providing comments and particpating in virtual public meetings are available at https://www.fws.gov/cbra/maps/Hurricane-Sandy-Project.html
The review period for the public will close on July 10, 2018. Individuals can comment either electronically by going to http://www.regulations.gov and searching for FSW-HQ0-ES-2018-0004 or by submitting a written response to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0004; Division of Policy, Performance, and Management Programs; US Fish and Wildlife Service; 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS; BPHC; Falls Chuirch, VA 22041-3808.
Public meetings will be held for MA and NH on May 9th at 10 a.m. So that enough call in lines are available, you must register by e-mailing cbra@fws.gov by close of business May 1, 2018.
What does this all mean? The CBRS was established to minimize the loss of human life, reduce wasteful Federal expenditures and minimize damage to natural resources associated with natural barriers. The CBRS does not allow for federal funding of development projects but it does not discourage or prohibit development by private and non federal parties as long as these parties bear the full cost. It would be prudent, especially for those who live in coastal areas to go online and be familiar with these proposed changes and to give your feedback.
