Below is a message from Rob Wittman on federal funding for Virginia’s coastal communities:
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Virginia’s First District is home to some of the most important coastal and marine resources in the nation. From our watermen and fishermen to local businesses, military installations, and families who call our coastal communities home, access to reliable environmental information is critical to protecting our way of life.
That’s why I was proud to recently present the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences with $1.6 million in federal funding to support the new Center for Excellence in Environmental Forecasting (CEEF).
This investment will help VIMS transform cutting-edge scientific research into practical forecasting tools that Virginians can use every day. Whether it’s understanding flood risks, monitoring water quality, identifying promising fishing areas, or improving long-term planning for coastal resilience, these tools will help community leaders make better informed decisions.
As the Daily Press recently noted, Virginia faces unique environmental challenges. More than 60 percent of Virginians live in coastal zones, and our Commonwealth experiences more adverse weather and environmental events than most states in the country.
The work being done at VIMS will help ensure local governments, businesses, watermen, farmers, military installations, and residents have access to the best available information to prepare for the future.
The federal funding I secured will help expand computing capacity, improve forecasting systems, and make these resources more accessible and user-friendly for Virginians across the Commonwealth.
I have long supported the important work being conducted at VIMS because it represents the very best of Virginia innovation: world-class research, practical solutions, and a direct benefit to our communities.
I’m proud to support investments that strengthen Virginia’s coastal economy, protect our natural resources, and ensure our communities have the tools they need to thrive.
You can read the Daily Press editorial here or below.
As always, it is an honor to serve Virginia’s First District.
Sincerely,
Rob Wittman
Member of Congress, Virginia’s 1st District