Flood & Climate Resiliency

2024-11-07T14:09:50-05:00

FLOOD RESILIENCY

Our Commitment

Mitigating the impacts of climate change, from sea level rise to increased rainfall intensity-duration-frequency statewide to make more flood resilient communities.

THE ISSUE

Virginians are already seeing the impacts of climate change across the state, from sea level rise along our coastlines to increased rainfall statewide. We must protect Virginians and preserve our natural resources through authentic community engagement, comprehensive flood resiliency planning, and careful investment in adaptation measures, ensuring an equitable future for all Virginians as well as the protection of our natural resources.

COMMUNITY FLOOD PREPAREDNESS FUND

In 2020, Virginia established the Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF). The Fund received 45% of revenue raised through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative from 2021-2023. RGGI is a market-based program with 11 participating states that generate new funds while reducing electricity sector emissions. This pollution reduction program drives down greenhouse gas emissions which improves air quality and public health while also bringing in desperately needed revenue to help Virginia’s families with flood protection. RGGI raised over $372.5 million over the first three years of Virginia’s participation to fund the only statewide source for community flood resiliency funding.

In June 2023, the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board voted to repeal Virginia’s participation in RGGI by December 31st, 2023. Now, the Governor and General Assembly must backfill this flood funding through the budget. The Governor’s budget proposal only allocated $100 million to the CFPF  over Fiscal Years 2025-2026.

Community Flood Preparedness Fund grant awards

DISCOVER MORE

OUR COMMON AGENDA POLICY PAPERS

NEWS

RESOURCES

Wetland and Water Protection Resource Guide

The Biden Administration recently released a resource guide, which includes input from several federal agencies, to serve as a resource for Tribes, states, territories, local governments, private land owners, and nongovernmental organizations to advance wetland and water resource protection.

Bay Act Resiliency Guidance

DEQ has updated the Bay Act resiliency guidance along with updated examples. A model ordinance, locality implementation checklist, resiliency assessment template, adaptation measure checklist, and nature-based adaptation measure list are also available.

Bill Tracker

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