Posted on July 14, 2020
RYE — Congressman Chris Pappas toured coastal infrastructure last Thursday and learned about an initiative to guard against future flood events.
The Democratic representative for the 1st District learned about the Rockingham Planning Commission’s High Water Mark Initiative to identify flood adaptation and resilience actions. Pappas spoke with representatives of the state Department of Environmental Services, Rockingham Planning Commission and League of Conservation Voters.
“The growing risk of flooding threatens many of our communities,” he said. “It’s critical that we create climate resilient communities through our infrastructure planning and projects. I’m pleased the Moving Forward Act includes provisions for climate resiliency that will protect our environment and invest in infrastructure projects that address these threats.”
State Sen. Tom Sherman, D-Rye, said Pappas has supported the federal effort to address sea level rise. “I am reassured that we have a strong federal partner in Congressman Pappas,” he said.
Last week, the House passed a five-year transportation and infrastructure package Pappas helped develop as a Transportation & Infrastructure Committee member that would build more resilient infrastructure to withstand impacts of extreme weather.
The Moving Forward Act will deliver more than $1.3 billion for New Hampshire’s transportation infrastructure, a more than 30% increase in federal funding, he said. Pappas said the act includes legislation he introduced to create a federal grant program that will build bike and pedestrian trails, and clean water through inclusion of $1 billion to implement his Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act.
Pappas said the act also makes investments in Amtrak, passenger and freight rail to enhance rail in the Northest Corridor, including addressing long-neglected maintenance needs.
Further, he said, the act re-evaluates federal funding structures to ensure small states receive the support they need, and expands affordable high-speed internet to underserved communities with a $100 billion investment that promotes competition and works to close the digital divide.
Source: seacoastonline
