Rep. Sam Liccardo pushes back against Trump cuts after $50 million loss threatens efforts to rein in coastal erosion

Rep Sam Liccardo D-San Jose lashed out at President Donald Trump s cuts to programs combating surroundings change on Friday in Pacifica where local representatives and residents have been left scrambling to protect critical infrastructure after a long-anticipated million federal grant to address severe coastal erosion along Beach Boulevard in Pacifica was scrapped The grant was part of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities BRIC campaign that was cut earlier this year Related Articles Urban fires can mean long trips for helicopters to get water One California firefighter had a better idea Seven options Trump s tax and spending bill could affect Californians NOAA predicts above average number of storms in hurricane season starting June Bored with manicured lawns particular homeowners adopt No Mow May all year long A silent component of smog can foul the nighttime air making air quality worse Caltech research says We have grave threats facing Pacifica and those grave threats are the same threats facing our country commented Liccardo during a press conference along Pacifica s scenic shoreline Unfortunately we have a president of the United States who is unwilling to stand with communities like Pacifica These threats coastal erosion circumstances change wildfires are real The grant Pacifica was hoping for part of the estimated million total cost of the Beach Boulevard project was intended to replace an aging seawall along the coast among other measures to protect residents living nearby The BRIC venture was canceled after the Federal Urgency Management Agency called the initiative wasteful according to an April press release Following the cancellation approximately million in BRIC funding will be returned to the U S Treasury or reapportioned by Congress during the next fiscal year according to FEMA In response Liccardo not long ago co-sponsored the Save BRIC Act authored by Rep Greg Stanton D-Ariz last month to restore the scheme Although Democrats are in the minority in the U S House of Representatives Liccardo mentioned fighting for the bill is crucial to protecting communities like Pacifica We need to get enough signatures for a discharge petition assuming we can get Republicans to go along with that he explained A discharge petition is a way for members of the House to force a vote on a bill even if House leaders don t help it by gathering a majority of signatures While Liccardo acknowledged the effort to save the federal activity faces intricate odds he mentioned momentum may shift if Trump s approval ratings continue to fall I think we ll start to see more Republicans grow a spine to genuinely stand up against really bad decisions like this one he stated The effort to scrap the disaster-risk reduction initiative has sparked frustration among local leaders who argue the project is essential to protect homes roads and businesses from worsening sea-level rise and storm surges The BRIC plan created in allocated billion over five years to help communities reduce catastrophe risks Ending this scheme will help ensure that grant funding aligns with the President s Executive Orders and Secretary Kristi Noem s direction and best endorsement states and local communities in calamity planning response and recovery a FEMA spokesperson noted in a press release last April But local administrators reported waiting for disasters to happen is shortsighted Disasters have been affecting Pacifica for decades explained Mayor Sue Beckmeyer We have to protect the ocean We have to protect the people We have to protect the road We have to protect the infrastructure In Pacifica the canceled funding would have gone toward rebuilding an aging seawall over years old that has long struggled to hold back the advancing Pacific Ocean Beckmeyer stated the proposed project would have also bought the city time possibly up to years to relocate residents and businesses at exposure of being swallowed by the sea Otherwise you end up with what we had where the houses don t exist anymore she declared A coastal city of known for its beaches and rugged cliffs Pacifica has repeatedly suffered storm and flood damage including to the Pacifica Pier a favorite among fishermen and crabbers Breakers roll under the Pacifica Pier Friday Jan after the city of Pacifica closed it due to damage from the current storm Karl Mondon Bay Area News Group In three apartment buildings along a sea cliff were red-tagged after erosion made them unstable Last year the Pacifica pier was closed for three weeks in January after it was battered during a severe winter storm that caused property and infrastructure damage in neighborhoods along the coast Local property owners and business leaders are now raising the alarm over what the funding loss could mean for the city s future I love this place this is my dream come true revealed Jenifer Behling who owns an eight-unit apartment building near Beach Boulevard I provide housing for seven other families to also enjoy life along the ocean My whole assets is being threatened I am terrified High tide pushes up against Beach Boulevard in Pacifica Calif Wednesday Dec as the coastside group braces for an approaching winter storm Karl Mondon Bay Area News Group Jennifer Christiansen co-founder of the Seaside Merchants Association commented local businesses are already facing the consequences of rising seas and seasonal flooding Being so close to the ocean we see the impacts of weather change on our district stated Christiansen who owns Art Space on the Coast a pottery and art store This is directly related to our aging infrastructure Supervisor Ray Mueller who represents the San Mateo County coast called the BRIC campaign s cancellation insane Our president talks about bringing jobs Mueller stated Getting rid of the BRIC activity gets rid of jobs these are society investments that protect our communities and our economic system It s an absolute travesty Across the Bay Area other citizens projects have also taken a hit Earlier this month Santa Clara County administrators commented million in federal grants mostly for population vitality have been canceled under the Trump administration