As New Jersey’s 130 miles of shoreline face escalating threats from coastal erosion and rising sea levels, our small coastal communities and local businesses stand to bear the brunt of these impacts. These threats demand an immediate and equal response.
Introduced in the 118th House and Senate, the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act (known as the RISEE Act) could provide New Jersey with the revenue it needs to invest in protecting our communities against these threats. By supporting RISEE, Sens. Cory Booker and George Helmy (both D-N.J.) and the rest of the New Jersey congressional delegation can help protect the New Jersey coastline, safeguard both the local economies and ecosystems that depend on them and strengthen our state’s energy future.
Our coastal communities are more than just beautiful landscapes; they are crucial to the health of New Jersey’s economy. Small businesses, from fishing and tourism to retail and hospitality, all thrive on the breathtaking scenery of our white-sand beaches and the natural resources from our biologically diverse ecosystems. But these businesses are increasingly vulnerable to the destructive forces of a changing climate. Coastal erosion, intensified by rising sea levels, threatens to undermine the very foundation of these communities. In response, New Jersey already has appropriated funds in our state’s budget to help improve, maintain and repair infrastructure with the aim of enhancing climate resiliency, but much more is needed.
The RISEE Act is a forward-thinking piece of legislation designed to further address these threats to our coastline head-on. If enacted, the revenue created by offshore energy production can be funneled back to our own communities by helping cushion our state’s current resilience investments and enable us to invest in critical upgrades and repairs to protect our shorelines.
It recognizes that our approach to coastal protection must be holistic. It promotes the reinvestment of funds into coastal ecosystem restoration, which is vital for maintaining the health and resilience of our shorelines. Healthy ecosystems act as natural barriers against storm surges and erosion, providing a cost-effective and sustainable solution to many of our coastal challenges. The funds can also address current infrastructure needs like funding for seawall and drainage systems repair.
It’s no surprise that such investments are costly, but the price of inaction is far greater. Without robust infrastructure and ecosystem support, the economic and environmental costs of coastal damage will escalate, potentially leading to more extensive and expensive needs in the future. The RISEE Act represents a proactive approach, providing a funding mechanism to mitigate risks before they spiral out of control and ensuring that our coastal communities remain resilient in the face of a changing environment.
By supporting this legislation, we commit to fostering long-term economic stability and environmental stewardship. It ensures that New Jersey’s coastal communities are not left to grapple with these challenges alone
As New Jerseyans, we take pride in our ability to come together to address challenges with determination and foresight. The RISEE Act is an opportunity to uphold this tradition, using our offshore resources to help safeguard our coastlines and ensure that New Jersey’s coastal communities, and the businesses and individuals who call them home, continue to adapt, thrive and be the vibrant, essential parts of our state’s identity for generations to come
Billy Portman, a Democrat, is the mayor of Red Bank.
