This bill establishes a voluntary grant program for coastal states to develop climate adaptation plans and implement projects addressing climate impacts. It provides federal funding for states to create plans identifying vulnerable infrastructure, habitats, and resources, along with strategies like protecting biodiversity, managing coastal erosion, and using green infrastructure. States must align plans with existing hazard mitigation programs and receive federal approval before accessing implementation grants. The program focuses on concrete actions - such as protecting coastal ecosystems, adapting infrastructure, and monitoring environmental changes - without requiring states to modify existing coastal management policies.
SRES 552 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing that oceans are warming due to human-caused climate change. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally acknowledges scientific consensus on ocean warming impacts, citing data like oceans absorbing 14 zettajoules of excess heat annually. The resolution highlights effects such as coral reef damage, shifting fish populations, and increased harmful algal blooms, which impact coastal economies and ecosystems. It was introduced by Senators Whitehouse, Merkley, Schatz, and others, reflecting bipartisan recognition of climate science without proposing policy changes.
HR 2882 prohibits the U.S. Secretary of the Interior from issuing oil or gas leases for exploration, development, or production in the Central California Planning Area. This bill directly affects federal leasing decisions in that specific coastal region, preventing new fossil fuel extraction activities. The key provision amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently ban such leasing in the defined area. The bill creates a clear policy change by eliminating future oil and gas development opportunities on federal waters along California's central coast.
This bill transfers approximately 1,288 acres of federal land to Carson City, Nevada, for public uses like recreation and flood mitigation, and 0.45 acres for roadway expansion (requiring a crosswalk). It also authorizes the sale of 360 acres of federal land, with proceeds deposited into an existing account. The city pays all conveyance and disposal costs, including environmental assessments, and must maintain existing utility easements. Proceeds fund local projects including wildlife conservation, wildfire prevention, and public land acquisitions.
This bill (S 1519) designates approximately 1.56 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska as wilderness under federal law. It permanently protects this specific area from development like oil drilling or road construction by adding it to the National Wilderness Preservation System. The designation directly affects the refuge's management, ensuring this coastal plain ecosystem remains preserved in its natural state.
HJRES 131 blocks a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule that would have allowed oil and gas leasing in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain. The bill uses the Congressional Review Act to formally disapprove this specific rule, making it legally void. It directly affects the BLM's ability to advance the leasing program and companies seeking permits for oil and gas development in that area. The resolution became law after passing both chambers of Congress in late 2025.
This bill amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to strengthen federal efforts addressing harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia across marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems. It establishes a new Task Force required to develop a comprehensive Action Strategy every five years, examining causes, ecological impacts, and economic consequences of HABs in diverse environments including the Great Lakes, coastal waters, and freshwater systems. The bill authorizes $19.5 million annually for NOAA and $8 million annually for the EPA (fiscal years 2026-2030) to implement these provisions, creates a national monitoring network for HABs, and establishes an incubator program to develop innovative prevention strategies. It mandates consultation with states, tribes, local governments, and affected industries like fisheries and agriculture to address HABs impacts on public health, ecosystems, and communities.
The ReSCUE Oceans Act establishes a federal program to advance marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) research, development, and field trials through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It creates designated research areas for mCDR projects that require consultation with Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and coastal communities, while mandating monitoring of environmental and social impacts. The bill develops protocols for measuring carbon removal efficacy and establishes an interagency working group to coordinate federal efforts across NOAA, NASA, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies. It requires biennial reports on mCDR activities, includes special data protections for tribal communities, and aims to support safe, responsible mCDR technologies through science-based research and community engagement.
The Resilient Transit Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to fund public transportation resilience projects addressing climate change impacts like flooding, wildfires, and extreme weather. It directs $300 million for fiscal year 2026 to help state and local transit agencies in underserved communities - including low-income areas, communities of color, Tribal communities, and medically underserved regions - improve infrastructure. Eligible projects include installing flood barriers, backup power systems, vulnerability assessments, and climate adaptation planning. Recipients must report annually on how funds are used, with specific focus on projects benefiting communities identified through federal environmental justice mapping tools.
HR 360, the Oyster Reef Recovery Act of 2025, establishes a federal program to conserve and restore oyster reefs through technical and financial assistance. The program provides competitive grants to eligible entities - including state/local governments, nonprofits, educational institutions, and the shellfish industry (defined as growers and harvesters) - to fund restoration projects, monitoring, and workforce training focused on coastal resilience. Grants require applicants to demonstrate projects won’t interfere with commercial fishing or other water uses. The bill authorizes $15 million annually from 2026-2030 for these efforts, while explicitly preserving state and tribal authority over oyster management.
