Orange County Congresswoman Michelle Steel is fighting in Congress to protect Orange County’s beaches from erosion, which could cause deadly flooding across our coast if it is not fixed. Orange County beaches are a critical part of our community and natural ecosystem, but previous action by the federal government may cause Orange County families to fall victim to a devastating flood.

In the 20th century, the federal government altered the ocean and local rivers to help create the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors, which have permanently cut off new sand supply to Orange County. While the federal government acknowledged their error in the 1960’s, they stopped working to repair this issue in 2000 altogether, leaving Orange County’s coastline vulnerable to extreme flooding in the event of a natural disaster.

Congresswoman Steel has been fighting to protect Orange County’s coastline and environment since her days as an Orange County Supervisor. According to a press release by Congresswoman Steel’s office, “without action by the Federal Government, coastal Orange County is susceptible to dangerous flooding. Shoreline projection through regular sand nourishment is our frontline defense from a potentially devastating flood event.”

Congresswoman Steel has been working hard in Congress to raise the alarm and prevent Orange County from falling victim to preventable natural disasters. She is working to gain federal funding to continue the past project to fix our natural environment, and has met with federal, state, and local stakeholders to address this critical issue and preserve Orange County’s coastline.