Photo of Wrightsville Beach
 |
The Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) of 1982 established the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS), comprised of undeveloped coastal barriers along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Great Lakes coasts. The law encourages the conservation of hurricane prone, biologically rich coastal barriers by restricting Federal expenditures that encourage development, such as Federal flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. CBRA is a free-market approach to conservation. These areas can be developed, but Federal taxpayers do not underwrite the investments. CBRA saves taxpayer dollars and encourages conservation at the same time. CBRA has saved over $1 billion and will save millions more in the future. Approximately 3.1 million acres of land and associated aquatic habitat are part of the CBRS. The Fish and Wildlife Service maintains the repository for CBRA maps enacted by Congress that depict the CBRS. The Service also advises Federal agencies, landowners, and Congress regarding whether properties are in or out of the CBRS, and what kind of Federal expenditures are allowed in the CBRS.
Coastal Barriers
What Is Included in the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System?
Categories of John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Units
What is an “Undeveloped Coastal Barrier”?
Federal Spending Prohibitions
Modification of Boundaries
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Role
Accomplishments
Map Modernization
Maps of Coastal Barrier Resources System
State Locator Maps
Download Official CBRS Maps
Download Digital CBRS Boundaries
Digital Mapping Pilot Project
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service held a 120-day public comment period from April 7 – August 5, 2009, on its Report to Congress: John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Digital Mapping Pilot Project. The report, which was directed by the Coastal Barrier Resources Reauthorization Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-514), contains draft maps for 70 CBRS units and describes the results of the pilot project and a framework for modernizing the remainder of the CBRS maps. The 70 pilot project units, which represent approximately 10 percent of the entire CBRS, are located in Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana.
The Service plans to review all comments received during the comment period and make adjustments to the pilot project maps, as appropriate, based on CBRA’s criteria and objective mapping protocols. The Service will create a set of final recommended maps to address the comments made during the public comment period and to update the underlying base maps with newer aerial imagery. The final recommended maps will be included in a report to Congress, per the directives of the Coastal Barrier Resources Reauthorization Act of 2005 (P.L.109-226). The pilot project maps will not become effective until they are enacted by Congress through new legislation.
Report to Congress
Draft Maps and Digital Boundaries
List of Pilot Project Units
News Release - April 7, 2009
News Release - June 29, 2009
Fact Sheet
Notice of Availability of Report and Draft Maps
Notice of Extension and Public Meetings
Virtual Public Meeting Presentation (pdf)
For more information about the Coastal Barrier Resources System send e-mail or contact:
Katie Niemi
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Division of Habitat and Resource Conservation, Room 860
4401 N. Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203
Phone: (703) 358-2161 |
|
