TBRPC receives Resilient Coastline Program grant
The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council has received a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to develop coordinated shoreline planning across the region. The project will convene local governments and municipalities and business and environmental stakeholders to create a policy guide for installation, permitting, maintenance of shoreline protection strategies as storm intensity and future sea level rise are projected to increase.
The project is part of the Resilient Coastlines Initiative created by Gov. Ron DeSantis through the new Resilient Florida Program. With this initiative, local communities can join together in planning efforts and share technical assistance for a coordinated approach to Florida’s coastal and inland resiliency.
“Florida Resilient Coastlines Program is excited to support the Tampa Bay shoreline project that brings local stakeholders together to develop recommendations that increase resilience, especially those that emphasize nature-based features” said Whitney Gray, Florida Resilient Coastlines Administrator. “DEP supports regional collaborations which encourage consistency and coordination across jurisdictions to improve community resilience. The project also aligns well with the directives of the new legislation to improve Florida’s coastal and inland resiliency signed by Governor DeSantis last month.”
The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council will convene the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition members and partners to discuss priorities and develop the policy guide, which will support local plans and updates.
“This project will help develop regionally consistent rules and more efficient permitting on these complex shoreline improvement projects,” said Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano. “We see a need for consistent code and uniform recommendations on seawall heights and other factors that support resilient shorelines.”
The guide will include policy recommendations and model language for private and public shorelines along rivers and coastal areas that are influenced by tides. The recommended language will define a hierarchy of shoreline policies and principles to support resilient adaptation and habitat preservation and restoration.
