Speaking

Florida is historically susceptible to coastal flooding from tropical systems, but there is a growing need for new strategies and guidance to combat Sea Level Rise (SLR) and other nuisance flooding across the state. The presenter has participated in several Peer Exchange Workshops hosted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to address coastal concerns and devise innovative adaptation strategies.

These workshops have spurred further collaboration with various local municipalities, Water Management Districts (WMDs), and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to enhance understanding of their efforts to mitigate coastal flooding and improve water quality to inlets, bays, and estuaries. Additionally, the presentation will address the regulatory challenges in ensuring regional projects meet environmental permitting requirements related to sovereign submerged lands and critical species habitats. Given the diverse interests of stakeholders within the coastal watershed, extra planning and coordination are crucial to develop solutions specifically designed to protect communities and vital infrastructure, considering the unique environmental conditions of the specific coastal regions in Florida.