What is the future of federal coastal involvement and investment with a new administration taking the reins in Washington, DC? That’s the focus of an upcoming conference focused on federal policy and regulation.

This Coastal Summit, entitled “A New Commitment to Our Coast,” will be held in Washington Feb. 28-March 2, presented by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA). The program will combine conference sessions with outreach visits to a variety of federal agencies, as well as opportunities for attendees to schedule meetings with their federal representatives during the early days of the new administration and Congress.

“At the heart of ASBPA’s mission is the goal of protecting and improving the nation’s coasts and shore ecosystems,” said ASBPA President Tony Pratt. “So let’s ask ourselves what would resonate in the new administration and how we can bring that/those issues to new government to make the convincing argument that an investment in the coast pays tremendous dividends in jobs, economic stimulus, reduction of costly storm damage response and recovery, and community protection — the issues ASBPA has been pushing for years.”

The uncertainty – and opportunity – of a new administration is reflected in the conference program, which includes sessions on:

• “Understanding the New Normal”
• “Rising Seas and Lowering Expectations — The lay of the land with DC Lobbyists”
• “Making Your Best Case for the Coast: Optimizing Hill and Advocacy Visit Time”
• “Stakeholders Perspective: Getting Sand on the Beach, Cheaply, Quickly and Regionally”
• “Collaborative Science: Creating a National Coastal Research Program”
• “Moving Backward – Planning for Retreat”

Keynote speakers include:

• Major General Donald Jackson, Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• James Dalton, Director of Civil Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Collin O’Mara, president and CEO, National Wildlife Federation
• Renee Orr, chief of the Office of Strategic Resources, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
• Former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
• Norma Jean Mattei, president of the American Society of Civil Engineers

Small-group visits to the following federal agency offices are planned:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• National Marine Fisheries Service
• Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

In addition, the conference will offer:

• A Capitol Hill briefing in conjunction with the Coastal States Organization
• A Capitol Hill Coastal Celebration Reception to honor coastal champions from throughout the federal government.
• A presentation spotlighting the 2016 Best Restored Beaches award winners: Babes Beach Galveston, TX; Rosewood Park, IL; Seabrook Island, SC; Topsail Beach, NC; and Redondo Beach, CA.

This marks the 17th year the Coastal Summit has been convened in Washington as a coastal policy-focused conference attracting coastal professionals, officials, scientists and advocates. Founded in 1926, the ASBPA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that advocates for healthy coastlines by promoting the integration of science, policies and actions that maintain, protect and enhance the coasts of America. For more information on ASBPA, click here.