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Terry Sullivan, RI State Director of The Nature Conservancy, today testified before the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in support of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).  This legislation will guide the Army Corps of Engineers’ conservation, dredging, and flood control projects across the country, and includes the nation’s response to Hurricane Sandy.  Although WRDA is intended to be reauthorized every two years, and has traditionally received bipartisan support, the last such bill was approved in 2007.

US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and stepped in to chair a portion of the hearing.  Whitehouse welcomed Sullivan to Washington and introduced him to the other members of the panel.

Speaking on behalf of The Nature Conservancy globally, Sullivan stressed the value of ecosystem restoration, conservation, and sustainable coastal infrastructure as the best responses to climate change-related storms and sea level rise.  He also praised the inclusion of a new program that would allow the Army Corps to plan and implement coastal restoration projects from Maine to Virginia.

“While Rhode Island was spared the worst of Sandy, this is another reminder of the need to invest in sustainable and restorative coastal infrastructure and conservation. This legislation provides us with an opportunity to fundamentally rethink the way we develop and manage our coasts,” said Sullivan.

Read Terry Sullivan's Testimony 

Watch a Video of Terry Sullivan's Testimony