Joyce Effort to Combat Shoreline Erosion Signed Into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Saturday, Congressman Dave Joyce’s (OH-14) bill to combat shoreline erosion was signed into law as a part of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development (WRDA) Act of 2024. The Creating Opportunities to Advance Shoreline Treatments (COAST) Act, which Joyce introduced alongside Representatives Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Josh Gottheimer (NY-05), and Debbie Dingell (MI-06), increases the authorized funding amount for the Emergency Stream Bank and Shoreline Protection Continuing Authority by $20,500,000, which can be used for the construction, repair, restoration, and modification of emergency streambank and shoreline protection efforts. The final WRDA bill included an additional boost in funding, bringing it to a total increase of $25,000,000 for the program. 

Specifically, these projects help prevent damage to highways, bridge approaches, public works, churches, hospitals, schools, and other nonprofit public services.

“Each year, America’s shoreline communities face millions of dollars in erosion-related damages and property losses,” said Congressman Joyce, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force. “Unfortunately, most federal programs aimed at mitigating these impacts are not well targeted to shoreline erosion caused by high lake levels. The bipartisan COAST Act helps address this and spurs greater support for shoreline protection efforts. With the President signing this into law, we can better protect the environmental and economic health of countless communities.”

Congressman Joyce first introduced the COAST Act in 2021, and has continued to advocate for increased funding through the WRDA process for these shoreline protection projects.