Puerto Rico CSRM Study PR (I)

May 2023

FACT SHEET

Puerto Rico Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Study, PR
Investigations (I)
Congressional District: Puerto Rico

1. DESCRIPTION

The Puerto Rico Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) study will extensively leverage the NACCS lessons learned, tools, and processes to ultimately produce a comprehensive and consistent understanding of coastal vulnerability along the selected reaches of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Coastline. Puerto Rico and the four main offshore islands of Vieques, Culebra, Mona, and Desecheo have a total length of 620 miles of coastline. Most of the Commonwealth’s population of 2.6 million people live within coastal municipalities and the vast majority of critical infrastructure investments such as hospitals, schools, power plants, government buildings, as well as over 8,000 miles of roads are located near the coast. A proactive approach is key to potentially minimize or even avoid impacts of both extreme and minor events in the future. The study area has suffered extensive damage from multiple tropical and extratropical storms to include Hurricane Hugo (1989), Hurricane Luis (1995), Hurricane George (1998), Nor’easter (2008), with the most recent Hurricanes being Irma and Maria (2017) and Nor’easter (2018). Hurricanes on average hit Puerto Rico about once every three years and strong Nor’easters hit every 10 years. In addition to regional analyses of coastal vulnerability, the strategy will identify initial measures/costs that can address vulnerabilities with emphasis on regional sediment management (RSM) as an actionable strategy to sustainably maintain or enhance current levels of storm protection within existing authorities.

2. FUNDING

a. Regular Civil Works Funds:

b. P.L. 115-123: Bi-Partisan Budget Act of 2018, Supplemental:

3. SPONSOR

Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources
P.O. Box 366147
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-6600

4. STATUS

The Project Delivery Team (PDT) received approval for a study budget increase and schedule extension in October 2021. The PDT held a successful Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) milestone meeting in January 2023.

• Rincón TSP: Focused Retreat; ~$111M, BCR 0.29, 115 acquisitions, relocations, demolition, grading and planting; Requires NED Exception​
• Ocean Park TSP: Floodwall in Barbosa and Skate Parks; ~$65M, BCR 1.3

The release of the revised Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment is awaiting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works concurrence to release due to the National Economic Development Plan exception that is part of the TSP for Rincon. The Chief’s Report completion milestone is scheduled for May 2024.