On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the United State Senate held a hearing entitled “Rising Seas, Rising Costs: Risks to Coastal Communities”. The hearing of the Senate Budget Committee, led by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D – RI), was the second in a series of meetings regarding the effect of climate change on the federal budget.
Ms. Kate Michaud, the Town Manager of Warren, RI, was one of five experts selected to give testimony on this topic. The only municipal representative invited to speak, Ms. Michaud spoke on behalf of “the smallest town in the smallest county in the smallest state in the nation”, which is home to 18 miles of waterfront land. Ms. Michaud, highlighting that her town was not unique in its danger, stated that “[Warren] is a microcosm of the hundreds of small coastal communities in this country, all populated with hard-working residents and business owners.” She emphasized that “one of my most basic duties is to prepare my community for the realities of the future.”
We are currently working with Ms. Michaud and the Town of Warren on their Market to Metacom project, which addresses flooding and redevelopment needs in Warren’s low-lying Market Street area.
Read more about the Market to Metacom Story
We are proud to partner with Ms. Michaud, the Town of Warren, and other forward-thinking communities throughout New England as we all work together to protect and preserve our shores, our infrastructure, our way of life, and our people.
For an excerpt of Ms. Michaud’s testimony, please visit:
https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/chairman-whitehouse-questions-warren-town-manager-kate-michaud-in-budget-committee-hearing
To watch the entire hearing, please visit:
https://www.budget.senate.gov/hearings/rising-seas-rising-costs-climate-change-and-the-economic-risks-to-coastal-communities
About the Author
Arnold Robinson, AICP, NCI, WEDG is Fuss & O’Neill’s Regional Planning Director and the Project Manager for the Market to Metacom Project. Arnold has more than 30 years of historic preservation and community planning experience. He is passionate about engaging community residents, public officials, and diverse stakeholders in the planning and review process to bring about positive change that is both resilient in nature and reflective of a community.