Investing in infrastructure isn’t just about repairing roads and bridges, it should also focus on protecting and restoring ecosystems and natural defenses. Healthy ecosystems are a key component in building resilient communities that can adapt to the impacts of climate change. Coastal ecosystems and healthy dunes, wetlands, and forests shield people and built infrastructure from sea-level rise, severe storms, and flooding, and provide benefits for wildlife and water quality. The BIL includes a number of new and expanded provisions that will help us build stronger, more resilient communities in the face of climate change. 

These investments can create high-quality jobs in restoration work and put communities first in planning and preparing for future conditions. 

The BIL provides a total of $1 billion over 5 years for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. This program provides grants to states, local, tribal, and territorial governments for hazard mitigation projects, helping communities to build resilience in the face of climate-related impacts. In addition to reducing the risk communities face from disasters and natural hazards, this program provides support for community capability and capacity-building, ensuring communities are resilient for future crises and climate change. 

As the risks from global climate change intensify, the consequences for our environment and communities across the country will also intensify. Heavier precipitation, more-frequent extreme weather events, and rising sea levels all contribute to increased flooding events that are more severe, intense, and damaging to livelihoods, property, and communities. The BIL includes $3.5 billion in Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grants, a program that provides grants to states, local communities, tribes, and territories to reduce or eliminate flood damage risk for buildings, manufactured homes, and other structures, protecting lives and property from further flood damage.  Entities can also use FMA funding to create a flood hazard mitigation plan. 

To boost the resilience of coastal communities, the BIL provides robust funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This includes $492 million for the National Coastal Resiliency Fund, which provides funding for communities to strengthen natural infrastructure and restore natural features such as marshes, wetlands, dunes, reefs, and coastal floodplains. These natural features help protect communities and property from sea-level rise, flooding, and shore erosion. Healthy coastal wetlands provide an estimated $23.2 billion in storm protection annually, oyster reefs and marshes act as natural wave barriers, and living shorelines improve water and air quality. The BIL also includes $491 million for the NOAA Community-Based Restoration Project, a program which provides financial and technical assistance for coastal habitat restoration projects, rebuilding fish habitat, buffering shorelines from erosion, and reducing flooding. 

Finally, the BIL provides $500 million over 5 years for the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Mitigation (STORM) Act. This program authorizes FEMA to provide capitalization grants to states and tribal governments for establishing revolving loan funds and providing hazard mitigation assistance for local governments. In addition to building community capacity and resilience, this funding will support projects for communities facing coastal erosion, flooding, and rising water levels.