Source: US Geological Survey
Since then, using these data, following this guidance, and under this definition, the states and territories have passed their own laws declaring their coral reefs as natural infrastructure and secured $48 million in FEMA hazard mitigation funding to restore their coral reefs to make their infrastructure, communities, and economy more resilient to coastal hazards, with more, larger proposals being planned.
USGS and partners continue to provide stakeholders and decision-makers with information on how, where, when, and for whom coral reefs provide critical coastal storm flood risk reduction benefits. These efforts support state and local preparedness through infrastructure prioritization and strategic investments, providing critical information needed to make risk-informed decisions for a more hazard-resilient Nation.
- Research on coastal hazard risk reduction provided by coral reefs used by Puerto Rico government to justify Puerto Rico Law 72-2020 “Law to Declare Coral Reefs as an Essential Structure for the Protection of the Coasts of Puerto Rico”, 2020
- Research on coastal hazard risk reduction provided by coral reefs used by Guam government to justify Guam Legislature Bill No. 372-35 (COR) to pursue insurance for coral reefs because of their coastal protection benefits, 2020
- Research on coastal hazard risk reduction provided by coral reefs highlighted in State of Hawaii’s Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR-159 to pursue insurance for coral reefs because of their coastal protection benefits, 2021
- Research on coastal hazard risk reduction provided by coral reefs noted in “Restoring Resilient Reefs Act and Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act of 2022” in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, 2022
- Research on coastal hazard risk reduction provided by coral reefs highlighted in US Coral Reef Task Force’s Resolution 47.2 “Coral Reefs as National Natural Infrastructure”, 2023
- Research on coastal hazard risk reduction provided by coral reefs highlighted in State of Hawaii’s House Concurrent Resolution HCR-80 to declare coral reefs as essential natural infrastructure for the protection of coastlines, 2023
- Research on coastal hazard risk reduction provided by coral reefs highlighted in State of Hawaii’s Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR-41 to declare coral reefs as essential natural infrastructure for the protection of coastlines, 2023
- Research on coastal hazard risk reduction provided by coral reefs highlighted in Territory of American Samoan Public Law 38-13 An act designating the Coral Reef as Critical Natural Infrastructure, 2024
- Research on coastal hazard risk reduction provided by coral reefs highlighted in Territory of Guam’s Senate Resolution 207-37(COR) to declare coral reefs as essential natural infrastructure for the protection of coastlines, 2024
- Executive Order 2025-001 to establish coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 2024