Incoming GOP leaders: State must prepare for sea-level rise

Throughout our history, Floridians have reveled in our state’s natural resources. With our miles of beautiful beaches, gorgeous coastline and ample sunshine, it is no wonder our state is home to more than 21 million people and a destination for others from across the globe.

Our state’s greatest asset is also a significant liability.

Florida remains particularly vulnerable to the risk of flooding caused by sea-level rise. Over the last several years, we have seen that risk grow exponentially.

In addition to the immense damage caused by storm surge, coastal communities are experiencing high-tide flooding, sometimes referred to as “sunny day” or “nuisance” flooding, with increasing frequency. The area at risk from one foot of projected sea-level rise contains more than 65,000 homes and 121,909 Floridians.

More than 20% of homes have a greater than one-in-four chance of flooding over a 30-year mortgage. Unless we take steps to curb this risk, those numbers will likely grow.

Threats to our economy caused by high-tide flooding and devastating storm surge are also troubling. Rising water damages homes, disrupts businesses and displaces families and employees, which leads to, among other significant impacts, increases in insurance premiums for all Floridians.

Over the last 20 years, the Republican-led Legislature has taken significant steps to keep our state affordable by consistently reducing the tax burden on families and businesses. Despite this good work, whether you live on the coast or in the heartland, the rising cost of insurance will make Florida less affordable.

Florida remains focused on finding solutions that actually work. Through grant funding appropriated by the Legislature, Florida’s Resilient Coastlines Program recently announced grant awards that will strengthen resilience initiatives for 30 coastal communities in 17 counties.

First, we want to elevate flood mitigation as a critical part of Florida’s public safety infrastructure. Flood mitigation can take many forms, from enhancing natural barriers like our beaches, dune systems, mangroves, oyster beds and stormwater parks; to erecting man-made barriers like seawalls, berms and water catchment areas; to improving our stormwater systems.

Second, we plan to further engage the federal government as a partner in Florida’s long-term planning process. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a coastal storm risk management study for Miami-Dade County to develop a project for large-scale flood risk reduction.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have recently made significant funding available for resilience in the context of rebuilding areas damaged by hurricanes. These are great first steps toward an enhanced federal-state partnership; however, given the size and importance of our state, Florida should be receiving a greater proportion of funds allocated for flood prevention.

Third, we want to recognize and address the disparate local impacts of this challenge. Tampa Bay, for instance, is one of the areas at greatest risk for storm surge. Not only in the state, but in the nation.

We want to partner with cities and counties that are doing good work and provide incentives for those who are falling behind. While state government must take a leading role in this fight, we are not going to simply subsidize high-risk communities. In this area, as in many other policy areas, we believe in helping those who are ready and willing to help themselves.

Through careful planning and strong partnerships, Florida can be a national example of resilient communities, where water remains an engine that drives our state’s prosperity and the only thing the rising tide does is lift all boats.

State Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, is the incoming Speaker of the Florida House. State Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, is the incoming President of the Florida Senate. “The Invading Sea” is the opinion arm of the Florida Climate Reporting Network, a collaborative of news organizations across the state focusing on the threats posed by the warming climate.