News

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced legislation that would authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform an assessment of coastlines within the South Atlantic Division. The bill,  “Assessing Coastal Areas to Assist States Act,” is aimed to proactively address coastal storm and flood risks of vulnerable coastal populations, property, ecosystems, economies and infrastructure.
 
“When it comes to hurricanes and tropical storms, it is crucial we act proactively to address any risks or harm they may pose to our vulnerable coastal lands,” said Rubio. “For centuries, Florida’s coastlines have been battered by storms.  This legislation will allow us to comprehensively assess our coasts while identifying opportunities to lower risks to our people, ecosystems and economies.”
 
BACKGROUND:
 
The legislation provides for a comprehensive assessment within the South Atlantic Division (SAD), from North Carolina to Mississippi, to proactively study the coastal storm and flood risks of vulnerable coastal populations, property, ecosystems, economies, and infrastructure along the South Atlantic coastline now and into the future.
 
This past May, Rubio met with officials at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida, to underscore the importance of being prepared for the upcoming hurricane season and to discuss improvements in the tracking and forecasting of storms, as well as storm surges. He also wrote an op-ed in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that highlights the importance of passing the “Hurricane Forecast Improvement Act of 2015,” legislation he introduced that would improve guidance for hurricane track, intensity, and storm surge forecasts. In late May, Rubio chaired a hearing of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, focusing on improvements in hurricane forecasting.