July 8, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
In addition to supporting fisheries and protected resources, habitat restoration builds resilience in communities and ecosystems. Hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters can have devastating effects on coastal communities. Restoring healthy habitats can help protect these communities from damage caused by extreme weather and a changing climate.
Almost half of the U.S. population lives near a coast. Communities, businesses, and infrastructure in these areas are under increasing pressure from the impacts of flooding, climate change, and sea level rise. If current trends continue, up to $106 billion worth of coastal property is predicted to be below sea level by 2050.
Habitat restoration provides a safe, effective, and affordable approach to coastal protection. Efforts like restoring coastal wetlands and removing outdated dams can improve coastal resilience—helping communities recover from and adapt to the impacts of extreme weather and climate change.
The NOAA Restoration Center in the Office of Habitat Conservation invests in habitat restoration across the country where our fisheries and protected resources need it most. Our funding and technical assistance help build effective, efficient restoration projects that meet the needs of both fisheries and coastal communities. Our habitat restoration work supports coastal community resilience by:
- Restoring wetlands to reduce flooding caused by more frequent, more intense storms
- Protecting shorelines from erosion and sea level rise
- Eliminating safety risks associated with outdated, hazardous structures