Last July, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously passed a bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill \u2014\u00a0America\u2019s Transportation Infrastructure Act of 2019<\/a><\/strong> (S 2302) \u2014 that recognized the need for resilient infrastructure.<\/p>\n The bill provides $986 million over the next five years for states, municipalities, tribal governments and other government entities to strengthen transportation resilience through both structural and natural infrastructure<\/a> projects. These include culvert upgrades, roadway relocation, land acquisition and wetland restoration.<\/p>\n The bill also clearly and meaningfully defines the terms \u201cresilience\u201d and \u201cnatural infrastructure,\u201d paving the way for future pieces of legislation to build on these priorities. These pieces of legislation would help build lasting resilience across our country\u2019s communities, infrastructure and ecosystems. Here's how. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Included in S 2302 is another bipartisan bill<\/a> that would require the Federal Highway Administration to provide states with the guidance and tools they need to make infrastructure more resilient to natural disasters and extreme weather. This same language, like the definitions of resilience and natural infrastructure, is included in an infrastructure package moving through the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n Another related bill is the Natural Infrastructure and Resilience Act <\/strong>(HR 5871), which amends the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Surface Transportation Block Grant Program to open up funding for natural infrastructure alone or in combination with certain projects to enhance resilience of a transportation facility.<\/p>\n 2. Investing in risk reduction before disaster strikes <\/strong><\/p>\n The bipartisan Resilience Revolving Loan Fund Act of 2019<\/a><\/strong> (HR 3779) would allow states and tribal governments to fund projects that reduce risk before a disaster strikes. The bill would authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide $100 million in low-interest loans to help mitigate risk from disasters such as drought and prolonged heat, severe storms, wildfires, earthquakes, flooding and chemical spills.<\/p>\n In addition to protecting people and property, these investments would save costs over time as every $1 spent before a disaster saves $6 in post-disaster recovery<\/a>.<\/p>\n Not surprisingly, the bill traces its origin to the policy recommendations of mayors who have dealt with repetitive flooding events along the Mississippi River for years, and has garnered support from a broad coalition of organizations, including nonprofits, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Society of Civil Engineers. The bill is also included in an infrastructure package moving through the House.<\/p>\n 3. Building flood resilience on our coasts and beyond <\/strong><\/p>\n Coastal and riverine flooding is the largest source of financial exposure for the federal government behind only Medicare and Social Security. Expected costs from storm-related winds and flooding total $54 billion a year.<\/p>\n While FEMA flood maps place 8.7 million properties at risk of flooding, a new study<\/a> by First Street Foundation indicates the number is likely significantly higher and closer to 14.6 million properties.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/growingreturns\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/52\/files\/2020\/06\/14604256462_fe184f7353_o-1024x768.jpg\")
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