[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 61 (Tuesday, April 9, 2019)]
[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

                                  _____
                                 

                       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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