PHOTO BY FotoGuy 49057/FLICKR
A bipartisan bill cosponsored by senators from Michigan and Wisconsin — Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) — was recently introduced that would give loans to support local communities facing rising water levels, coastal erosion and flooding.
The bill, called the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act of 2020, was unanimously approved by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
“Rising water levels in the Great Lakes are wreaking havoc on Michigan’s coastal communities — threatening countless homes and causing tremendous damage to both public and private property,” Senator Peters says. “As water levels continue to rise and coastlines continue to erode, it’s vital that our communities have access to the resources necessary to prepare for and protect against potential disasters. This commonsense bill will provide low-interest loans to counties and cities to address shoreline erosion, save taxpayer dollars and protect local home and business owners’ properties, as well as Michigan’s beautiful coastlines. We need as many tools as possible to help mitigate against the effects of these disasters.”
To learn more about the STORM Act of 2020, visit peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-johnson-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-help-great-lakes-communities-address-rising-water-levels-shoreline-erosion.
