Katko’s bipartisan bill would fund study to ramp up resiliency of Great Lakes coastal areas

U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) on July 25 sponsored bipartisan legislation to authorize a federal Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study.

“This bipartisan legislation provides the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the necessary tools to conduct research and to analyze the economic and physical well-being of our coastal communities,” Rep. Katko said on July 26.

If enacted, H.R. 4032 would require the Army Corps of Engineers to assess the resiliency of the Great Lakes coastline by partnering with the eight Great Lakes states on potential threats and mitigation measures for their coastal communities.

Despite language in previous appropriations bills, Rep. Katko’s office said that the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study hasn’t yet been included in the Corps’ annual work plan.

“High water levels continue to cause harm to lakeshore communities here in central New York and throughout the Great Lakes ecosystem,” said Rep. Katko. “We need to continue to provide resources to immediately address this crisis, but we must also study the long-term impact of high water levels and severe weather on the Great Lakes coastline.”

Among the 25 members joining Rep. Katko in introducing H.R. 4032 were U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Fred Upton (R-MI), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Paul Mitchell (R-MI), and Joe Morelle (D-NY).