NSPS Attends Coastal Zone Briefing on Capitol Hill

NSPS government affairs consultant John "JB" Byrd attended a March 5 Congressional briefing by the Coastal States Organization on "Coastal Zone Management: Protecting Coastal Communities and Economies in Your District."

Keynote remarks were provided by Representative Sam Farr (D-CA), Chair of the House Oceans Caucus and member of the House Appropriations Committee. Rep. Farr emphasized the importance for stakeholders concerned with coastal resilience to make a business case as to the economic impact conservation and other protective efforts can have in generating tax revenue, especially from a tourism value.

NSPS previously briefed the Congressman's staff on the society’s support for Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform (FLAIR/H.R. 916) Act and the Digital Coast Act (H.R. 1382).  Following the Congressman's remarks, the briefing emphasized scientists and local officials who are working in coastal state programs to build resilient coastlines that better protect homes, businesses, and livelihoods. They highlighted examples of federal and state/local partnerships through the coastal zone programs and how they help build and maintain coastal resiliency.

The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) allows states to manage finite resources, preserve coastal communities and ecosystems, harmonize economies and ecosystems, and maximize coastal partnership opportunities-- all of which create opportunities for professional surveyors and a demand for surveying and mapping data.