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 state change on Friday in Pacifica where local executives 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 initiative 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 strategies 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 several homeowners adopt No Mow May all year long A silent component of smog can foul the nighttime air making air quality worse Caltech scrutiny says We have grave threats facing Pacifica and those grave threats are the same threats facing our country disclosed 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 setting 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 campaign was canceled after the Federal Exigency 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 in recent days 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 stated 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 disclosed A discharge petition is a way for members of the House to force a vote on a bill even if House leaders don t sponsorship it by gathering a majority of signatures While Liccardo acknowledged the effort to save the federal operation faces tough odds he noted momentum may shift if Trump s approval ratings continue to fall I think we ll start to see more Republicans grow a spine to literally stand up against really bad decisions like this one he noted The effort to scrap the disaster-risk reduction plan 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 activity created in allocated billion over five years to help communities reduce tragedy risks Ending this effort will help ensure that grant funding aligns with the President s Executive Orders and Secretary Kristi Noem s direction and best sponsorship states and local communities in calamity planning response and recovery a FEMA spokesperson stated in a press release last April But local representatives reported waiting for disasters to happen is shortsighted Disasters have been affecting Pacifica for decades revealed 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 peril of being swallowed by the sea Otherwise you end up with what we had where the houses don t exist anymore she commented 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 contemporary 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 declared 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 stake 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 announced local businesses are already facing the consequences of rising seas and seasonal flooding Being so close to the ocean we see the impacts of circumstances change on our district reported 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 project s cancellation insane Our president talks about bringing jobs Mueller mentioned Getting rid of the BRIC campaign gets rid of jobs these are population investments that protect our communities and our business activity It s an absolute travesty Across the Bay Area other inhabitants projects have also taken a hit Earlier this month Santa Clara County functionaries reported million in federal grants mostly for population healthcare have been canceled under the Trump administration