Sen. Ossoff briefed leaders on the bill in March
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s bill to protect Tybee Island from storm surge and coastal flooding is now law.
Sen. Ossoff’s Tybee Island Storm Risk Management Act will ensure Tybee Island has the resources it needs to protect from sea level rise, storm surge, coastal flooding, and beach erosion.
The law, which was passed as part of this year’s Water Resources and Development Act reauthorization, will extend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ authority to partner with Tybee Island on beach renourishment and storm risk management projects for 12 years.
Tybee Island has been one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the state of Georgia since the 1870s and has experienced 10 inches of sea level rise since 1935.
“My law will help protect beautiful Tybee Island as part of my ongoing effort to support, protect, and invest in coastal Georgia,” Sen. Ossoff said. “I thank Chairman Ellis and Mayor Sessions for their help as I built bipartisan support in Congress to pass this bill into law.”
Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock co-sponsored the bill with Sen. Ossoff.
“Regular renourishment of the City of Tybee Island’s beach is crucial for protecting Tybee Island’s economy and the safety of its residents from damage caused by storm surges and coastal flooding,” said Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. “For nearly 50 years, the federal government and the City of Tybee Island have been partnering on the Tybee Island Beach Erosion Control Project to make sure residents and visitors are able to enjoy the island for years to come. I’m proud to have partnered with Senator Ossoff to secure the long-term protection of one of Georgia’s most cherished natural treasures.”
“We’re very excited about this news and truly appreciate Senator Ossoff’s visionary action on initiating and supporting this critical bipartisan legislation, which will help ensure an environmentally and economically healthy future for Tybee’s residents, businesses, and visitors,” Tybee Mayor Shirley Sessions said.
“Tybee is important to Georgia, and beach renourishment is important to Tybee. We are glad to see Senator Ossoff’s legislation become law, which will help Tybee be more resilient to storms and sea-level rise in the future,” said Katherine Moore, Georgia Conservancy President.
