Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) introduced legislation to improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Management and Digital Coast Fellowships. The Coastal Fellowships Act of 2021 supports two essential programs which boost critical workforce capacity for coastal zone management programs that coastal and Great Lakes states and territories depend on to protect their communities from unique hazards. This year, the Coastal Management Fellowship celebrates its 25th anniversary, and the Digital Coast Fellowship will mark its 10th anniversary next year.
“For my home state of Delaware, the lowest-lying state in the country, coastal management resources are crucial to protecting vulnerable communities. Our state is a top recipient of NOAA fellows, and we will be receiving a new fellow next year to work on critical coastal resilience issues, like sea level rise and natural resource restoration,” said Senator Coons. “I’m glad to support the authorization and increased funding of these essential NOAA fellowship programs that bring vital expertise to coastal management projects in Delaware and many other coastal states and territories.”
“The NOAA Coastal Management and Digital Coast fellowships have provided opportunities that address the needs of coastal communities and help establish a better future for our economy and environment,” said Senator Wicker. “This legislation will ensure NOAA can continue training new fellows to assist Mississippi and other coastal states across the country. I am glad to join my colleague Senator Coons in advancing this worthy initiative.”
“Maine has thousands of miles of coastline as well as diverse ocean and intertidal ecosystems that support the livelihoods of many Maine families and are an integral part of our state’s character,” said Senator Collins. “NOAA’s fellowship programs help to keep communities strong by supporting postgraduate students’ work with states to increase coastal resilience, protect the environment, and promote a strong ocean economy. Reauthorizing these fellowships would help preserve these precious natural resources for current and future generations.”
“Rhode Island’s coasts are moving more and more into Mother Nature’s climate crosshairs,” said Senator Whitehouse. “We need to provide states with the coastal management resources necessary to protect their communities, and these NOAA fellowship programs are a smart investment in the coastal workforce.”
The Coastal Fellowships Act of 2021 will:
- Codify the NOAA Coastal Management and Digital Coast Fellowships;
- Authorize sufficient appropriations to fully support NOAA’s administration of the program;
- Improve benefits for fellows, including an increased stipend, addition of a locality adjustment to account for cost-of-living differences between states, and sufficient funding for professional development, work-related travel, and relocation expenses; and
- Give fellows direct hire authority to facilitate the transition from the fellowship into the federal workforce for fellows interested in joining a federal agency.
The bill is endorsed by the Coastal States Organization (CSO) and The Nature Conservancy.
“CSO strongly supports the Coastal Fellowships Act as valuable legislation to ensure the development of the next generation of coastal managers while supporting priority coastal initiatives,” said Derek Brockbank, Executive Director of the Coastal States Organization. “With growing coastal management issues including more frequent coastal storms and increasing demands on our nation’s coasts for energy development, housing, recreation and tourism, commerce, and conservation the time to invest in the future of our coasts is now. This legislation does just that.”
“The Nature Conservancy welcomes and appreciates this bipartisan proposal to promote the development of the next generation of coastal management professional,” said Stephanie Bailenson, Senior Policy Advisor for Ocean & Coasts, The Nature Conservancy. “These fellowships will provide on-the-job training for new graduates as they help communities tackle pressing challenges facing our coasts. The Conservancy has seen firsthand through its participation in these fellowship programs how they make our coastal ecosystems healthier, our communities more resilient to climate change and support robust coastal economies. We commend Senators Coons, Wicker, Collins, and Whitehouse for working across the aisle to advance this critical investment in our coasts’ future.”
Bill text is available here.
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