Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Commerce to award competitive grants to Indian tribes to further achievement of tribal coastal zone objectives.

Specifically, these tribal coastal zone objectives include

• protecting, restoring, or preserving areas in the zone that hold important ecological, cultural, or sacred significance for the tribes or traditional, historic, and aesthetic values essential to the tribes;
• preparing and implementing a special area management plan and technical planning for important coastal areas; and
• implementing any coastal or shoreline stabilization measure for the purpose of public safety, public access, or cultural or historical preservation.

Bill 117 hr 1415, also known as the Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress that aims to support tribal communities in building resilience to coastal hazards and climate change impacts. The bill specifically focuses on providing funding and resources to tribal nations to develop and implement coastal resiliency plans.

The Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act recognizes the unique vulnerabilities that tribal communities face due to their close connection to coastal areas and the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and erosion. The bill seeks to empower tribal nations to take proactive measures to protect their communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from these threats.

Key provisions of the bill include establishing a grant program to provide funding for tribal nations to conduct vulnerability assessments, develop adaptation strategies, and implement projects to enhance coastal resiliency. The bill also calls for the creation of a Tribal Coastal Resiliency Task Force to coordinate federal efforts and support tribal nations in their resiliency planning and implementation. Overall, the Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act aims to support tribal communities in addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change and coastal hazards, and to ensure that they have the resources and support needed to build resilience and adapt to a changing environment.