skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Winter weather warnings for 8 states, as 36 Inches of snow to hit; Mississippi group provides support, resources to family caregivers; Farmers, aquaculturists unite to protect Florida's land, water; Report: Number of PA uninsured children stable, but no progress.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Israel and Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire in Lebanon. The Trump-Vance transition team finally signs ethics agreements, and a political expert talks about possibilities for the lame-duck session of Congress.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The health of rural Americans is getting renewed attention from the CDC, updated data could help protect folks from flash floods like those devastated in Appalachia, and Native American Tribes want to play a key role in the nation's energy future.

Restoration Projects Could Be Key to COVID-19 Recovery for OR Coast

play audio
Play

Wednesday, July 1, 2020   

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Communities on the Oregon coast could see sorely needed investments from an infrastructure bill now in Congress.

Jean Flemma, director of the Ocean Defense Initiative, said COVID-19 has hit the economies of coastal communities hard, with many fishing-related businesses losing their markets.

"A lot of fishermen themselves have found that they are having a hard time making ends meet -- making their boat payments, etc.," she said, "and in addition, coastal tourism -- hotels were shut down, restaurants have been shut down."

The Moving Forward Act would create a $3 billion program to invest in coastal restoration projects. U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Peter DeFazio, both D-Ore., are sponsoring the bill. The House is expected to vote on the bill today.

Flemma said restoration work on Oregon's coast would help restore streams, coastal wetlands and tidal areas that are crucial for the habitats of salmon and other fish species. She said the work would have immediate benefits for the habitat itself.

"The long-term benefit is the restoration of the fishery itself, which generates jobs in the long term through commercial and recreational fishing opportunities, and tourism opportunities," she said.

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration analysis found that 15 jobs are created for every $1 million spent on coastal restoration projects.

Flemma said restoration projects would make coastal communities more climate resilient, as well.

"You also are reducing coastal flooding and other impacts from storm surges or high tides, or sea level rise," she said, "things that are becoming more severe and more frequent as a result of climate change."

She said another benefit of restoring tidal wetlands, sea grasses and other parts of the coast is that they are carbon sinks. That means they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change.

The text of HR 2 is online at rules.house.gov, and the NOAA study is at repository.library.noaa.gov.

Disclosure: Ocean Defense Initiative contributes to our fund for reporting on Oceans. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court hears on average 80 cases per session, out of the thousands of requests it receives. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

The U.S. Supreme Court is deciding whether to review a Wisconsin case over the issue of gender identity at school. The case Parents Protecting Our …


Social Issues

play sound

A new survey of Native American teens and young adults highlights a growing preference for the term "Indigenous" rather than being referred to as "Ame…

Environment

play sound

Advocates said a lack of animal welfare laws is leading to pain and suffering on American factory farms. Close to 99% of livestock is now raised in …


Health and Wellness

play sound

By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the KFF Health News…

Social Issues

play sound

By Judith Graham for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Servic…

Social Issues

play sound

President Joe Biden has entered a "lame-duck" period, prompting a Michigan political science expert to analyze his potential actions before President-…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021