Resident commissioner files bill to address coastal erosion

Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera (Facebook via Pablo José Hernández Rivera)

By The Star Staff

Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera, in collaboration with Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), introduced legislation on Tuesday aimed at tackling the issue of coastal erosion in Puerto Rico.

The proposed bill, known as the “Puerto Rico BEACHES Act,” seeks to address the impacts of climate change on the island’s communities and economy.

Hernández Rivera emphasized the importance of recognizing the economic dependence on coastal areas, stating, “For too long, we have underestimated how much our economy depends on the sand beneath our feet.”

“When the coast erodes, tourism jobs disappear, businesses are impacted, and our communities lose the natural defenses they have had for generations,” he said.

The legislation mandates the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate the economic and environmental effects of coastal erosion in Puerto Rico. It will also propose recommendations aimed at supporting affected communities, tourism, fisheries and small businesses. The study will be coordinated with local agencies, such as the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the Tourism Company.

Puerto Rico boasts a coastline of nearly 700 miles, with over 20% of its 3.2 million residents residing in high-risk flood zones. Both Hernández Rivera and Huffman highlighted the urgency of protecting those crucial areas, underscoring the necessity for coordinated efforts to mitigate the effects of coastal erosion.