Governor Matt Meyer has sent a letter to President Trump urging immediate federal action to restore Delaware’s beaches and critical coastal protection systems after damage from recent nor’easters. The governor requested that the US Army Corps invoke its emergency restoration authority, which allows the Secretary of the Army, using existing emergency response funding, to restore the federally authorized storm damage reduction projects along the Bay and Atlantic Coast when damaged by nor’easters that reduce their ability to protect against erosion, flooding or coastal storm impacts.
Additional information from Gov. Meyer:
“Our beaches are part of Delaware’s critical infrastructure that protects homes, roads, and jobs,” Governor Meyer said. “On top of revenue losses and increased costs to the state due to federal legislation, Delaware has been hit hard by recent nor’easter weather.  We cannot wait for another storm to hit or for our bridges and highways to collapse to make improvements that will keep our communities safe.  We need swift federal action to repair the damage, strengthen our shoreline, and ensure that our coastline is safe and resilient whenever the next storm hits.”
Earlier this year, the yearlong continuing resolution passed by Republicans in Congress and signed by President Trump cut significant project funding for beach replenishment in coastal states. In the last four years, Delaware previously received significant funding each year to protect and fully restore the state’s vulnerable coastline.
Â
The cuts to coastal replenishment projects and FEMA disaster support follow a pattern of broader changes to federal funding for climate resiliency and disaster preparedness under the current Trump administration. Those changes include attempting to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency preparedness grants to blue states that oppose the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign. Â
Â
Delaware’s coastline serves as both a natural barrier against storms and a foundation of the state’s economy, supporting tourism, agriculture, and local businesses. Recent storms have caused significant dune erosion, coastal breaches, and infrastructure damage that threaten public safety, transportation networks, and the long-term stability of coastal communities. In his letter, Governor Meyer underscores that the duration and force of these storms have caused damage equal to, and in some cases worse than, a hurricane.
Â
Governor Meyer emphasized that Delaware stands ready to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite restoration and safeguard residents, property, and vital industries from further harm.
Â
Â
