Tybee Island Storm Risk Management Act gains U.S. Senate approval, heads to U.S. House
Update: This article was updated to reflect that the final timing of the federal authorizationextension is still up for debate.
The Tybee Island Storm Risk Management Act, which extends federal funding for beach renourishment projects and other protective resources, passed the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support and will head to the U.S. House of Representatives for approval.
If the bill passes through the House and is signed by President Joe Biden, Tybee Island can continue to implement coastal storm risk management projects for an additional 12 years (the current contract is set to expire in 2024), a key change to the original legislation which asked for an extension of 50 years.
However, the final timing of the extension is still up for debate as the U.S. House has passed its own version calling for the original 50-year extension. A conferencing of the two bills is expected, according to Sen. Jon Ossoff's office who co-sponsored the bill with Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia).
Passage of the bill was a key legislative priority this year for local, state and federal officials representing Tybee Island.
Act passes key Senate committee: More money for sand at Tybee: U.S. Senate committee advances beach renourishment act
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The Storm Risk Management Act served as a rider on the larger Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA) – a key measure passed biannually by Congress to "authorize U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activities for flood control, navigation and ecosystem restoration."
“I have secured bipartisan Senate passage of the Tybee Island Storm Risk Management Act to help protect homes and businesses on Tybee from coastal flooding, storm surge, and high winds,” Sen. Ossoff said in a press release. “I thank (Chatham) Chairman (Chester) Ellis and (Tybee) Mayor (Shirley) Sessions for their help as I’ve built bipartisan support in the Senate for this bill.”
Earlier reporting: Sen. Ossoff: Tybee Beach renourishments funds key to protect 'precious natural resources'
Earlier reporting: Tybee beach days a federal priority as U.S. Senate considers renourishment proposal
Beach renourishment projects, which consist of pumping sand from an off-shore borrow site onto Tybee's shores, have helped reinforce the low-lying barrier island's coastline for decades. Since 1974, Tybee Island has worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to periodically build up its receding shores that often fall victim to storms, hurricane and other inclement weather.
Rising sea levels and increasing storm surge forecast even greater threats to the island community and its natural resources. Tide gauge data at Fort Pulaski shows that Tybee Island has experienced 10 inches of sea level rise since 1935. Data also indicates the sea has been rising at a rate of 3 millimeters a year for the last 75 years, which amounts to about a foot a century.
Renourishment projects, which will include reinforcing Tybee’s sand dunes, typically cost between $10 million and $18 million. Federal dollars have typically covered around 60% of the costs.
Renourishment, though a costly ongoing commitment, has made visible progress, according to officials, and Tybee continues to ramp up other efforts to increase funding for the key ingredient. Local leaders say they are looking into ways to funnel more local dollars into the projects as well as they await the federal decision.
Nancy Guan is the general assignment reporter covering Chatham County municipalities. Reach her at nguan@gannett.com or on Twitter @nancyguann.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Tybee Island closer to more federal dollars for beach renourishment
