WASHINGTON, DC – The lives of coastal residents around the country are intertwined with the ocean and coast. But coastal communities and ecosystems are facing numerous threats as our climate and environment continue to change. We must take bold action to ensure clean and abundant water, healthy beaches, thriving habitat and resilient infrastructure in the face of coastal change.

This week, Jon Paul “J.P.” Brooker, Senior Manager & Policy Counsel for Florida Conservation at Ocean Conservancy, will testify about threats to coastal resiliency in Florida and what a resilient community looks like before the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife. The hearing will explore the threats facing the health and safety of coastal communities and ecosystems as well as discuss the coastal resiliency bills the House of Representatives is currently considering.

WHO:  Expert witness testimony given by:

Jon Paul “J.P.” Brooker, JD, Ocean Conservancy

Emily E. Steinhilber, JD, Commonwealth Center for Recurrent Flooding Resiliency

Fawn Sharp, JD, Quinault Indian Nation

Rich Walters, The Nature Conservancy

Rick Shintaku, South Coast Water District

RDML Timothy Gallaudet, NOAA

Karl Stock, US Bureau of Reclamation

Rep. Brian Mast, FL-18

Rep. Mike Levin, CA-49

Rep. Joe Neguse, CO-2

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, District of Columbia

Rep. Derek Kilmer, WA-6

Rep. Salud Carbajal, CA-24

Rep. Chellie Pingree, ME-1

*Minority witnesses to be announced

WHEN:  July  25, 10:00 AM EDT

WHERE:  House Natural Resources Hearing Room, 1334 Longworth House Office Building

The event will be live-tweeted via the @OurOcean account. To follow the hearing, use the #ResilientCoasts.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Reporters interested in conducting in-person or phone interviews with Jon Paul Brooker should contact the Ocean Conservancy contact listed above.

EXPERT TESTIMONY

Experts will discuss coastal change impacts on communities and habitat. They will discuss coastal resiliency bills currently being considered by the House of Representatives.

At the hearing, Jon Paul “J.P.” Brooker will speak to:

• The state of Florida’s coastal environment.
• The threats facing U.S. coasts and coastal communities, particularly in Florida.
• What a resilient coastal community looks like.
• Recommendations for Congressional action as Congress considers coastal resiliency legislation.

STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA

In advance of Thursday’s hearing before the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife, Jon Paul “J.P.” Brooker, Senior Manager & Policy Counsel for Florida Conservation, issued the following statement:

“Our nation’s shorelines are at an all-hands-on-deck moment. U.S. coastal communities, beaches, waterways and wildlife are precious, unique and in grave need of help and protection. In Florida this couldn’t ring more true. Our coasts and coastal communities are threatened by rising sea levels and flooding, degrading water quality and quantity, coral bleaching, harmful algal blooms and extreme weather. We need to make our coasts more resilient and we can do so through protecting against today’s impacts, planning for the impacts of tomorrow and mitigating any current activities that could threaten our coasts. We need Congress to step up, take action and do what’s right so that we can all enjoy our coastal places forever.”

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Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit www.oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.