Informing the implementation of nature-based solutions and natural infrastructure as an alternative to conventional hardened infrastructure.
High tide flooding events are increasing across the nation. With 40% of the U.S. population living in coastal counties and that population projected to increase, it is clear that a significant portion of the nation is increasingly vulnerable to these hazards. The recently published U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-led International Guidelines on the Use of Natural and Nature-Based Features for Flood Risk Management represent the current state of the science on conceptualizing, planning, designing, engineering, implementing, and maintaining natural and nature-based feature (NNBF) projects.
The publication of the Guidelines is the culmination of a five-year collaboration between NOAA, USACE, and many international partners, including more than 175 international authors and contributors from more than 75 organizations and 10 countries.
The complex challenges of sea level rise, coastal flooding, and increased storm frequency, among other hazards, pose increasing risks to our nation’s communities. In the last five years, weather and climate-related disaster events have cost our nation over $630 billion dollars in damages.
Continue reading at National Ocean Service
Image via National Ocean Service
