Bill Overview
Title: Shoreline Health Oversight, Restoration, Resilience, and Enhancement Act
Description: This bill provides for the development of water and water-related resources projects and activities with a particular emphasis on those carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Among other things, the bill revises and modifies the flood mitigation and riverine restoration program to include coverage of coastal storm damage; authorizes the Corps to carry out specified water resources development and conservation projects in accordance with plans laid out in designated reports or decision documents; authorizes the Department of the Army to continue periodic nourishment for specified projects for coastal storm risk management for an additional period of 50 years; authorizes the Army to use funds for water resources development purposes to carry out, at full federal expense, a measure located on, or benefitting, federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of another federal agency under specified conditions; authorizes the Army to provide in advance the federal share of funds required for the acquisition of land, easements, and rights-of-way for, and the relocation of, certain projects; directs the Army to establish a program to provide environmental assistance to nonfederal interests in the Chattahoochee River Basin; and requires the Army to expedite the replacement of the Mississippi River mat sinking unit.
Sponsors: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Target Audience
Population: People living near US coastlines and riverine systems
Estimated Size: 25000000
- The bill's focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers indicates that individuals in areas where the Corps is active, particularly near coastlines and riverine systems, are likely to be affected.
- Coastal areas prone to storm damage will see more direct impacts, especially where projects are aimed at storm risk management and ecosystem restoration.
- People living near the Chattahoochee River Basin will be impacted due to designated environmental assistance programs.
- Areas along the Mississippi River that rely on the mat sinking unit for flood control will be impacted.
- Individuals employed or working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on these projects will be affected due to changes and expansions in their duties and projects.
- Environmental and conservation groups with interests in these regions might also be impacted as these projects can both positively and negatively affect local ecosystems.
Reasoning
- This policy primarily targets coastal and riverine systems, indicating that the primary populations affected will be those residing near the U.S. coastlines and significant rivers like the Chattahoochee and Mississippi Rivers.
- A notable portion of the U.S. population lives in coastal counties or near major rivers, so the number of impacted individuals could be significant within the target areas.
- The policy allocates significant funding, implying a strong potential for both immediate and long-term impacts on infrastructure and ecological projects, influencing local communities.
- Individuals working within or indirectly connected to projects managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as those in affected regions, will have varied responses based on involvement and benefits received.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Scientist (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy will greatly assist in mitigating flood risks, which are a huge concern here.
- The projects could enhance our ecological restoration efforts if managed properly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired (Miami, Florida)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the flood mitigation component is crucial due to rising sea levels.
- Previous projects by the Army Corps have taken too long, hopeful this will be different.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Software Engineer (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Chattahoochee River is important to our community, and improving its health is crucial.
- As someone who enjoys hiking and fishing, I see benefits in the environmental assistance program.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
UN consultant on climate change (Houston, Texas)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Given the frequency of storms, enhancing coastal resilience is vital.
- I am interested in how the policy will integrate with international climate change efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Government Worker (St. Louis, Missouri)
Age: 51 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will likely increase our workload but also enhance the effectiveness of our projects.
- I hope the increased funding allows us to implement better technology.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Local Government Official (Mobile, Alabama)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our city can benefit from improved storm risk management, which affects our preparedness plans.
- I am enthusiastic about the policy but cautious about execution and timelines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Retail Business Owner (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better flood management can help maintain business during storm seasons.
- I am concerned about how long it will take for benefits to be felt.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired Nurse (Savannah, Georgia)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The focus on storm damage resilience is critical for our community, especially for the elderly who are vulnerable.
- Implementation speed and outreach to seniors will determine success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Hydrologist (Sacramento, California)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The focus on both federal and nonfederal projects is promising for integrated water resource management.
- It's essential to maintain ecological balance while developing these projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Marine Biologist (Biloxi, Mississippi)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could offer a chance to address marine life balance impacted by storms and flooding.
- I hope environmental factors are not overshadowed by infrastructure focus.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2500000000)
Year 2: $2100000000 (Low: $1600000000, High: $2600000000)
Year 3: $2200000000 (Low: $1700000000, High: $2700000000)
Year 5: $2400000000 (Low: $1900000000, High: $2900000000)
Year 10: $2800000000 (Low: $2300000000, High: $3300000000)
Year 100: $5000000000 (Low: $4500000000, High: $5500000000)
Key Considerations
- Long-term projects could face administrative and execution challenges over multiple decades.
- The impact of climate change on the effective planning and execution of coastal and riverine projects could alter anticipated outcomes.
- Federal budget allocations might need adjustments to ensure funding for 50 years of projects.