A survey of 48 Wisconsin cities, villages, and other jurisdictions along the Great Lakes shows that coastal damage from climate change will cost at least $245 million over the next five years, with shoreline communities having already spent $86 million over the past two years.
These figures only represent a fraction of the true need as not all shoreline jurisdictions are reflected in this figure. This new information illustrates the scope and magnitude of climate impacts on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River and the need for increased federal assistance for coastal communities struggling to respond to threats to critical infrastructure and assets along their shorelines.
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, along with other regional organizations, are calling for funding in an upcoming infrastructure package to enable Great Lakes states and local governments to prepare for, respond to, and build resilience to current and future impacts from high lake levels and severe weather events.
