On Friday, April 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency sent shockwaves across the country with the abrupt cancellation of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program.

This decision directly affects several Grays Harbor area infrastructure initiatives, most notably the North Shore levee projects and the Westport tsunami tower collectively worth roughly $100 million in BRIC grant money.

The cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam issued a joint press release which indicated “FEMA has stated that they are developing ‘a new approach to mitigation that is more response to state and local requirements, achieves clear mitigation goals, and results in more-timely obligation of funding.’”

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-19th District, said he believes the BRIC grant monies will be distributed through other federal avenues and these projects are “paused” pending FEMA restructuring.

Aberdeen City Councilor Kacey Ann Morrison, Ward 1 Position 2, took to Facebook Wednesday and posted a letter dated April 29 from Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson addressed to Cameron Hamilton, the acting administrator of FEMA regarding the cancellation of the BRIC program and its impact on Washington state and Grays Harbor specifically.

“This decision has had far-reaching impacts on critical infrastructure and mitigation efforts nationwide. In Washington state alone, 28 projects have been affected, with 72% of funding dedicated to supporting small towns and rural communities,” the letter read, in part. “I respectfully urge FEMA to reconsider this decision and move forward with the projects previously selected under the 2020-2023 BRIC program. Specifically, I am requesting reconsideration of three vital projects in Grays Harbor County.”

The letter went on to say, “The North Shore Levee and the North Shore Levee West are crucial to protecting these vulnerable communities. … Washington state faces one of the highest tsunami risks in the United States. … The Westport Vertical Evacuation Structure is a life-saving project designed to provide refuge for up to 1,000 people.”

Morrison expressed appreciation for the governor’s support and efforts to secure funding for these infrastructure projects that have been in the works for a number of years.

“The city of Aberdeen is grateful to Gov. Ferguson for recognizing the critical importance of these Grays Harbor projects, including the North Shore Levee Project — and his advocacy on behalf of our community to the federal government,” Morrison said via Facebook. “The need for this flood protection endeavor can’t be understated — the totality of the North Shore Levee and North Shore Levee West projects will, as the Governor rightly noted, ‘protect 5,100 properties, 1,354 businesses, and the 3,000+ jobs in the flood zone’ and ‘the construction of the levees will remove the burden of the flood zone construction and flood insurance requirements, leaving upwards of $5 million per year in the pockets of Washingtonians.’

“I am hopeful that the Trump Administration and FEMA will, in some manner, reinstate this funding for our community. City of Aberdeen officials remain unwavering in our commitment to ensure this project is fully funded and comes to fruition.”

The cancellation of the BRIC program will also potentially affect joint erosion mitigation efforts undertaken by the cities of Ocean Shores and Westport, as well as the proposed construction of an Ocean Shores tsunami tower. The Highway U.S. 12 rail separation project in Aberdeen, however, will not be affected and is fully funded through state and local monies.