Protecting Garapan’s Beaches and Shoreline
The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 passed the House Wednesday with overwhelming bipartisan support, 415-9. This important legislation addresses water resources infrastructure nationwide and includes an amendment I introduced to advance federal consideration of coastal erosion and storm damage reduction projects at Micro Beach and Makaka Beach in Garapan. We worked closely with the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Capital Improvements Program, Office of the Governor, and other stakeholders to gather information on the condition and needs of these important beaches. This effort builds on the CNMI’s request for assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate the severe erosion, flooding, and other challenges affecting this shoreline. Garapan’s beaches are important recreational, cultural, environmental, and economic assets for our Commonwealth. Including them in WRDA 2026 is an important step toward advancing federal consideration of solutions to protect this shoreline and the communities and facilities that depend on it.