Pass the Digital Coast Act

Surfrider Foundation is advocating for the passage of the Digital Coast Reauthorization Act of 2025. This legislation reauthorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Digital Coast Program, an online platform which provides invaluable, scientifically-sound information to coastal communities and managers about current and future risks of sea level rise and other climate change induced coastal hazards to help them better prepare and adapt to changing conditions along our shores. As the Surfrider network aims to better protect coastal ecosystems and communities from these impacts, access to this information and data on an open-source platform is vital to inform adaptation and mitigation efforts. 

Rising seas, coastal flooding, stronger, more frequent extreme weather events, and erosion are plaguing our beaches and prized coastal areas due to climate change. As these hazards and impacts increase, coastal communities and decisionmakers need the best data and geospatial tools available to plan for and protect their shores. The Digital Coast Program is a public repository of information on coastal and climate hazards, including sea level rise projections, coastal flood risk and exposure, and socioeconomic impacts. All of this information is crucial for communities to assess and understand vulnerability and plan to adapt to future conditions. The Digital Coast Program also hosts case studies and training emphasizing nature-based solutions to climate change impacts, critical to long-term coastal resilience. Authorized at $4 million per year, Digital Coast is expected to yield a net benefit of $117 million by 2028, equating to a return on investment of 411% under current funding levels. Given the catastrophic costs associated with climate change and its impacts along our coastlines, this is a relatively low cost program with immeasurable benefits. 

The Surfrider Foundation is working to reauthorize this important NOAA program in the 119th Congress through the passage of HR4256, introduced by Representative David Min (D-CA). Surfrider officially endorsed this legislation and has submitted testimony to the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries, in addition to advocating broadly for NOAA programs and initiatives during the 2025 Coastal Recreation Hill Day in May with chapter volunteers and student clubs. Surfrider will continue to advocate for the passage of this important bill for the resilience of our coastal ecosystems and communities.