Discussion Of The Blue Wave Bond For Coastal Preparedness

When: Saturday, March 7 from 10 am to 12 pm
Where: The Caf Bar, 5153 Post Road (The Venue at Wilcox Tavern)
Who: Stephen McCandless, Charlestown GIS Coordinator and Coastal Geologist; and Charlestown’s State Representative Tina Spears

Rhode Island house bill H 8151, known as the Blue Wave Bond for Coastal Preparedness Act proposes a bond measure authorizing the State of Rhode Island to issue up to $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, to fund coastal preparedness and resilience projects.

Rhode Island faces increasing risks from sea level rise, coastal erosion, storm surge, extreme precipitation, chronic flooding, and other climate-related hazards, which threaten public safety, public infrastructure, housing, environmental resources, and the state’s economy.

The purpose of this act is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund coastal preparedness and resilience projects that protect Rhode Island’s communities, critical facilities, and natural systems, while also supporting workforce readiness to plan, design, construct, and maintain climate-resilient infrastructure.

Representative Spears is the sponsor of H 8151.

The coffee, tea, and discussion on Saturday is an opportunity to learn more about the Blue Wave Bond and the many challenges our community will face because of climate change.

Photograph of people fishing on the east wall of the Charlestown Breachway by Frances Topping.