Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act of 2025
Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act of 2025 would amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to create a new coastal climate change adaptation program within the Department of Commerce. The program would be designed to help coastal states voluntarily develop and implement climate adaptation plans. It creates two main grant tracks: planning grants to develop adaptation plans and implementation grants to carry out projects that execute those plans. The bill emphasizes preparing for climate impacts in the coastal zone (e.g., sea level rise, storms, erosion, habitat changes) using measures such as land-use changes, habitat protection, infrastructure adaptation, and monitoring. It requires guidelines within 180 days and sets funding rules that favor merit-based selection for some grants, while ensuring plans are aligned with state hazard mitigation and approved management programs. Importantly, the bill makes clear that participating states are not required to amend their existing management programs or extend enforceable policies beyond the coastal zone. Potential impact includes expanded federal support for climate resilience in coastal communities, more formalized planning and monitoring, and increased use of nature-based and green infrastructure approaches. The program would also promote pilot projects through National Estuarine Research Reserves and provide training for local policymakers. Implementation depends on future appropriations and the ongoing alignment with existing CZMA processes.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a new coastal climate change adaptation preparedness and response program under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, led by the Secretary of Commerce, to help states prepare for and respond to climate impacts in the coastal zone.
- 2Planning grants (subsection b) authorize grants to coastal states to voluntarily develop climate adaptation plans, with required plan components such as identifying vulnerable facilities, land-use strategies, habitat protection, monitoring, and identification of climate impacts.
- 3Implementation grants (subsection c) authorize grants to implement approved adaptation plans, with requirements for application processes, merit-based funding (30-50% of annual funds), eligible activities (infrastructure adaptation, green infrastructure, habitat restoration, disease/invasive species management, training), and a mandate to promote use of National Estuarine Research Reserves for pilot projects.
- 4Guidelines and timing: the Secretary must issue implementation guidelines within 180 days of enactment; guidelines will cover eligibility, allocations, activities, and terms for grants; priority is given to states with prior related grant funding.
- 5State program alignment and limitations: eligibility requires an approved state plan under the program, and funds are designed to be consistent with state hazard mitigation plans and existing disaster response/recovery programs; states are not required to amend or extend their approved coastal management programs or policies beyond what is currently approved.