Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., has unveiled a bipartisan bill that seeks to develop a national database to assist coastal communities in handling flood risks.
The National Sea Level Risk Analysis Act will require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to gather and consolidate data on flood risks within the U.S. into a centralized database, the office of Nydia Velasquez said Thursday.
The database, dubbed as the National Coastal Data Information System, will include maps and information on rising sea levels.
According to a report, the bill will also direct NOAA to augment the federal government's partnership with coastal communities and build information products and services to address their needs.
"When we can assess how these changes may impact New York City through the information being added to this database, we can prepare sustainable infrastructure to protect our buildings and ensure the safety of our community against any disaster that comes its way," said Velasquez.
Various organizations such as Roots Action and Sequoia Forest endorsed the bipartisan bill.