Introduction of the Flood Prevention Act of 2024

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the Flood Prevention Act of 2024. This bill would amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) to include the District of Columbia in the definition of ``coastal state.'' Senator Tom Carpen the Chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, is the sponsor of this bill in the Senate. The House passed this bill as part of the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act in the 116th Congress.

This bill would correct an apparent oversight in the omission of D.C. from the CZMA and thereby make D.C. eligible to receive federal funding and have oversight for federally issued permits, facilities and actions that affect its coastal waters. D.C. urgently needs the protection of the CZMA because of serious flood risks that affect federal assets, residents and businesses in D.C., including the National Mall and federal buildings in the Federal Triangle area.

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 D.C. is located on two rivers, and has suffered substantial coastal floods in the past, it was omitted from the list of eligible entities in the CZMA. It is notable that, under the CZMA, the term ``coastal state[s]'' includes the states and territories. D.C. residents pay full federal taxes and therefore D.C. is usually treated as a state for federal programs. It appears D.C.'s omission was a mistake. This oversight likely occurred because the CZMA was passed in 1972, which was before D.C. achieved home rule.

Scientists have predicted that the tides on the Atlantic Coast could rise two to four feet by 2100, causing property worth as much as $7 billion in D.C. to be routinely under threat by floodwaters. This includes private homes and businesses, the National Mall, federal buildings and three military bases. The Anacostia and Potomac rivers, which surround D.C., are tidally influenced, part of an ``intertidal zone'' between high and low tides. In addition, the Maryland and Virginia coastal zones each include the tidal Potomac River, with Maryland's zone ending at the D.C. line.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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