Maria Salazar and Stephanie Murphy FC Announcement

American Flood Coalition

American Flood Coalition Recognizes Representatives Maria Salazar and Stephanie Murphy as Federal Champions

As Florida communities face higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding, Representatives Salazar and Murphy commit to leading on innovative strategies that address flooding and sea level rise.

WASHINGTON, DC — September 21, 2021 — American Flood Coalition today announced that Representatives Maria Salazar (R-FL) and Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) have been recognized as Federal Champions, in alignment with the nonpartisan, national alliance dedicated to advancing proactive solutions to frequent flooding, stronger storms, and rising seas. 

“As a Miami native, I know first-hand how destructive and dangerous flooding can be for our community,” said Congresswoman Maria Salazar. “I am honored to be recognized today by the American Flood Coalition, and I remain committed to delivering real solutions to help my constituents secure their homes and livelihoods against the threat of severe storms and rising sea levels.”  

“As Florida endures more intense and more frequent storms, my constituents recognize the need to make smart, proactive investments in flood resilience that protect our homes, businesses, and communities,” said Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy. “I am grateful to be recognized as a Federal Champion by the American Flood Coalition and pledge to keep working in a bipartisan way to help Floridians combat this threat.”

Reps. Salazar and Murphy are American Flood Coalition’s 23rd and 24th Federal Champions, a recognition for leaders who are passionate about finding national solutions to flooding and sea level rise. This distinguished group includes nine additional bipartisan members of Florida’s congressional delegation. 

“The American Flood Coalition is thrilled to recognize Representatives Stephanie Murphy and Maria Salazar as outstanding additions to our growing roster of Federal Champions committed to advancing flooding solutions in Congress,”said Melissa Roberts, Executive Director of American Flood Coalition. “Their leadership on behalf of all Floridians on the frontlines of higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding is instrumental to building more resilient communities in Florida and across the country.”

Congresswoman Salazar and Congresswoman Murphy are steadfast proponents for preparing Florida communities from sea level rise and more regular catastrophic flooding. Their unique perspectives, policy and messaging expertise, and shared commitment to American Flood Coalition’s mission will bolster the organization’s work on behalf of its 115 members from Florida and more than 270 members nationwide. 

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About American Flood Coalition

American Flood Coalition is a nonpartisan group of cities, elected officials, military leaders, businesses, and civic groups that have come together to drive adaptation to the reality of higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding through national solutions that support flood-affected communities and protect our nation’s residents, economy, and military installations. The Coalition has over 270 members across 21 states, and has recognized 24 Federal Champions from 10 states.

Cities, towns, elected officials, businesses, and local leaders wishing to join American Flood Coalition or read more about the organization’s work can visit the Coalition’s website (www.floodcoalition.org) to find out more.

American Flood Coalition is an IRS Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. American Flood Coalition is not a Congressional Membership Organization and nothing on this website shall be read to imply official sponsorship by either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate or any of their respective Members. Federal Champion is an honorary title awarded by American Flood Coalition to recognize Members of Congress who have come together to drive adaptation to the reality of higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding.

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Which characteristics is your community looking for in funding opportunities?

Disaster declaration
A Presidential Disaster Declaration unlocks a suite of federal programs that assist local governments with disaster recovery. This is a good filter for communities included in recent Disaster Declarations related to flooding.
Nature-based solutions
The program has a strong focus on providing assistance to promote a healthy ecosystem as a critical defense against flooding impacts. Eligible activities may include floodplain restoration, environmental stewardship, projects that use natural features to mitigate erosion, and living shorelines.
Encourages public-private partnerships
The program encourages or requires collaboration between government entities and stakeholders, including the private sector, to fund, develop, or implement projects.
Offers rolling deadlines
The program accepts applications on an ongoing basis with no fixed deadline.

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Planning
The gathering of data and information regarding the extent and impacts of flooding. Eligible activities may include data acquisition, risk assessment, and environmental analysis.
Design & scoping
Covers pre-construction activities, such as defining project scope, developing technical designs, and securing funding to prepare for implementation.
Construction & implementation
Involves carrying out flood resilience projects, including building infrastructure and deploying solutions to reduce flood risks.

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Funding (grants)
A monetary award that does not need to be repaid. Many federal grants are reimbursable, meaning recipients must cover project costs upfront and then request reimbursement from the government.
Financing (loans)
A government-issued loan that must be repaid. These loans typically provide funding upfront, helping communities cover project costs before repayment begins.
Technical assistance
Assistance from the government in the form of services — such as project planning, engineering and design support, data analysis, training, capacity building, or collaboration through a cooperative agreement — instead of direct funding.

Some programs provide extra support for specific project types or communities. Do any of these apply to your project?

Small or rural communities
Programs that set aside funding, offer loan forgiveness, or adjust cost share requirements for communities with smaller populations.
Small or low-cost projects
Programs that offer reduced requirements for smaller projects, such as waived cost-sharing or exemptions from benefit-cost analysis.
Regional or watershed focus
Programs that support projects that take a watershed management approach or address flooding at a regional scale, requiring coordination beyond a single town or community.
Tribal communities
Programs that dedicate resources or adjust cost share requirements specifically for tribal governments or organizations.