Norton Introduces Bill to Make D.C. Eligible for Coastal Zone Management Federal Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill that would make D.C. eligible for federal funding under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and give D.C. oversight of federal agency actions that affect its coastal waters.

"D.C. urgently needs the protections of the CZMA - a federal law that provides planning and technical services to help states protect, restore and develop their coastal communities and resources. Scientists predict that the tides on the Atlantic Coast could rise 2-4 feet by the year 2100, causing as much as $7 billion in D.C. property to be threatened by floodwaters," Norton said. "This includes private homes, businesses, the National Mall, federal buildings and three military bases.

"Additionally, it appears that D.C.'s initial omission from the bill was a mistake. It's past time to correct this error."

The House passed this bill as part of the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act in the 116^th Congress.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025

November 4, 2025

Today, I introduce the District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025. This bill would amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) to make the District of Columbia an eligible entity. The House passed this bill as part of the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act in the 116th Congress.

This bill would make D.C. eligible for federal funding for coastal zone management and give D.C. oversight of federal agency actions that affect its coastal waters. D.C. urgently needs the protection of the CZMA because of serious flood risks that affect federal assets, residents and businesses in D.C., including the National Mall and federal buildings in the Federal Triangle area.

The CZMA provides planning and technical services to assist states in protecting, restoring and developing coastal communities and resources. Once the federal government approves a state's coastal management plan, the state becomes eligible for federal funding and federal agency actions must be consistent with the state plan.

Even though D.C. is located on two rivers and has suffered substantial coastal floods, it was omitted from the list of eligible entities in the CZMA. It is notable that under the CZMA, the term ''coastal state'' includes the states and territories. D.C. residents pay full federal taxes and therefore D.C. is usually treated as a state for federal programs. It appears D.C.'s omission was a mistake. This oversight likely occurred because the CZMA was passed in 1972, which was before D.C. achieved home rule.

Scientists have predicted that the tides on the Atlantic Coast could rise two to four feet by 2100, causing property worth as much as $7 billion in D.C. to be routinely under threat by floodwaters. This includes private homes and businesses, the National Mall, federal buildings and three military bases. The Anacostia and Potomac rivers, which surround D.C., are tidally influenced. In addition, the Maryland and Virginia coastal zones each include the tidal Potomac River, with Maryland's zone ending at the D.C. line.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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