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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FLOOD PREVENTION ACT OF 2019
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HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
of the district of columbia
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the District of
Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2019. The bill would amend the Coastal
Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) to include the nation's capital in
the definition of ``coastal state.'' Our bill would correct an apparent
oversight in the omission of the District of Columbia and would make
the District eligible to receive federal funding and provide oversight
for federally issued permits, facilities and actions that affect the
coastal waters of the District. The District urgently needs the
protection of the CZMA because of serious flood risks that currently
affect federal assets, residents and businesses, including the National
Mall and the cluster of downtown federal agencies.
In an effort to reduce coastal flood risk, Congress has authorized a
number of programs to help states and territories respond to floods and
mitigate risk through resiliency projects. Among these programs, the
CZMA provides planning and technical services to assist states in
protecting, restoring and developing coastal communities and resources.
Once the federal government approves a state's coastal management plan,
the state becomes eligible for grants. Federal actions must be
consistent with the state plans and vice versa.
Even though the District is located on two rivers and has suffered
substantial coastal floods in the past, D.C. was omitted from the list
of eligible states and territories in the CZMA. This oversight probably
occurred because the CZMA was passed in 1972--before the District
achieved home rule. Of note, under Section 304 of the CZMA, ``coastal
state[s]'' include the states and U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands and American Samoa).
Absent from this definition is the District, even though the District,
including the federal complex, is under a serious threat from rising
sea levels. Because territories are included in the definition of
``coastal states,'' it appears that D.C.'s omission is a mistake, which
only Congress can correct.
Scientists have predicted that the tides on the Atlantic Coast could
rise two to four feet by the year 2100, causing property worth as much
as $7 billion in the District to be routinely under threat by
floodwaters. This damage not only includes private homes and
businesses, but the National Mall, federal buildings and three military
bases located in the District. The Anacostia and Potomac Rivers are
both tidally influenced, showing tangible salt water effects (and
fish), and are part of an ``intertidal-zone'' existing between high and
low maritime tides. In addition, the Maryland and Virginia coastal
zones each include the tidal Potomac River, with Maryland's zone ending
at the District line. Because of these factors, the District should be
eligible under the CZMA just like the states and territories already
listed in the CZMA.
I urge support for this bill.
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