Cape May Court House, NJ - The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce has adopted a formal resolution supporting H.R. 7459 - the “Coastal Trust Fund Act”, introduced by Congressman Jefferson Van Drew, aimed at providing a dedicated funding mechanism to support coastal restoration, resilience, infrastructure protection, and long-term sustainability of coastal regions.
The resolution was approved by the Chamber’s Executive Board of Directors on March 25, 2026.
The proposed Coastal Trust Fund Act would establish a dedicated “Coastal Storm Risk Management Trust Fund,” providing $1 billion annually to support the federal share of costs associated with beach nourishment and coastal protection projects. This consistent funding mechanism would allow communities like those in Cape May County to better plan for long-term shoreline maintenance and resilience efforts, rather than relying on unpredictable and competitive federal funding cycles.
The Chamber, representing more than 930 businesses throughout Cape May County and Southern New Jersey, emphasized that the strength and sustainability of coastal infrastructure directly impact a wide range of industries, including tourism, hospitality, and fisheries. However, these same coastal communities face growing challenges from erosion, flooding, and increasingly severe weather events.
“Reliable, consistent investment in coastal infrastructure is essential to protecting our local economy and way of life,” said Barbara Stafford Jones, President & CEO of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce. “The Coastal Trust Fund Act represents a significant step forward in ensuring that communities like ours have the resources needed to safeguard our shoreline, support our businesses, and maintain our position as a premier tourism destination.”
Through this resolution, the Chamber commends Congressman Van Drew for his leadership and urges members of the United States Congress to support and advance the legislation.