Act on Coasts

On June 26, 2024, Governor Dan McKee signed into law the 2024 Act on Coasts, which requires a comprehensive assessment of the climate risks related to sea level rise for coastal and riverine communities, and the development of a statewide coastal resilience strategy by December 31, 2025 and updates to the strategy every two years. 

As required by the Act, the chief resilience officer (CRO) and the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) delivered the first coastal resilience plan, Resilient Rhody 2025, to the Governor and General Assembly in Month 2026.  

The CRO and the EC4 will next focus on drafting state policies on resilience and work to improve coordination among state agencies and municipalities to support community and economic recovery efforts and work to address risk and reduce vulnerability to sea level rise, riverine flooding, and urban heat. 

Sea Level Rise and Rhode Island 

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sea level rise (SLR) in Rhode Island is rising faster than the global average, including more than 9” of SLR at Newport since 1930. With a likely 1-4 feet of additional rise by 2100, we can expect more severe tidal flooding more often, damaging infrastructure, closing roads, and filling storm drains to overflowing. Find more of the latest scientific data on SLR.

The Rhode Island State Climate Office offers many more resources on climate science, including accessible tools for mapping flooding along our coast and ways for community members to participate in monitoring the effects of flooding statewide.