Bill Overview
Title: Tybee Island Storm Risk Management Act
Description: This bill authorizes the Department of the Army to continue periodic beach nourishment for the project for coastal storm risk management on Tybee Island in Georgia for an additional period of 50 years.
Sponsors: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Target Audience
Population: Residents of Tybee Island, Georgia
Estimated Size: 3500
- The bill specifically mentions Tybee Island, a small city in Georgia, suggesting that the primary population affected will be the residents of Tybee Island.
- The purpose of the bill is beach nourishment for coastal storm risk management, implying benefits for residents and properties along the coast of Tybee Island.
- Beach nourishment programs are aimed at preventing erosion and storm damage, which directly impacts those living in coastal areas that are prone to such events.
- Storm risk management can also affect local businesses, especially those associated with tourism, as Tybee Island is a tourist destination.
- Preventive measures like these can impact insurance rates and housing markets, benefiting property owners on the island.
Reasoning
- Tybee Island has a small population of approximately 3,000 to 3,500 people, meaning a direct and clear target group for the policy's benefits.
- Given its purpose, residents living directly on the coast are expected to receive the most direct benefit from the policy, potentially increasing their safety and property value.
- Local businesses, particularly those related to tourism, are likely to benefit from sustained beach conditions, which could positively impact the local economy and employment.
- The insurance and real estate markets on the island may experience indirect effects through altered risk profiles and property valuations.
- Budget allocation prioritizes immediate coastal risk areas over other regions, creating a very localized impact of the policy.
Simulated Interviews
Restaurant Owner (Tybee Island, GA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The beach nourishment is crucial for sustaining tourism, which my business depends on.
- I believe this policy will help protect not only my property but also ensure a steady stream of visitors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Retired (Tybee Island, GA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Living on the coast means always being concerned about storms and erosion.
- I am supportive of this policy because it could help maintain or even increase my property's value.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Insurance Agent (Savannah, GA)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- For my clients, this could mean reduced insurance premiums and lower risk of property damage claims.
- I support measures that enforce risk management, though it doesn't impact me personally much.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Engineer (Tybee Island, GA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a long-term investment in our city's resilience and infrastructure.
- It secures the future of many projects I'm involved in, ensuring they're not swept away in a storm.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
School Teacher (Tybee Island, GA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Keeping our beaches nourished helps preserve educational field trips and maintains our town's economy, which supports local schools.
- I hope this policy eases budget constraints indirectly by boosting local revenue.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Environmental Activist (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I support sustainable beach nourishment, it's crucial that it's done with ecological balance in mind.
- This policy is a step forward, but long-term impacts on natural habitat must be considered.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Data Analyst (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's nice to know that Tybee Island will be better protected when I visit.
- This policy doesn’t directly affect me, but my recreational experiences could be more pleasant.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Local Government Official (Tybee Island, GA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy provides much-needed resources to our city's coastal defense strategies.
- While budget constraints are tight, any help in storm management is welcomed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Student (Tybee Island, GA)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could provide a richer environment for my future studies in marine biology.
- I'm glad to see our beaches being protected and preserved.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
University Professor (Savannah, GA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this are essential for teaching adaptive strategies in courses.
- The long-term effects on coastal environments and human settlements are areas of interest for my research.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $7000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $9000000)
Year 2: $7000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $9000000)
Year 3: $7100000 (Low: $5100000, High: $9100000)
Year 5: $7200000 (Low: $5200000, High: $9200000)
Year 10: $7500000 (Low: $5500000, High: $9500000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $13000000)
Key Considerations
- Beach nourishment must be adapted to changing environmental conditions, such as sea-level rise and increased storm intensity, which could affect long-term costs.
- Continuous monitoring and maintenance are essential to maximize the effectiveness of the nourishment projects.
- Fiscal sustainability should be ensured through the balance of initial costs and long-term savings.