1. United States
2. S.C.
3. Letter

South Carolina's coastal economy is deeply intertwined with the health of our oceans and requires robust ocean monitoring to ensure its continued prosperity. The layoffs at NOAA, which provides crucial data and forecasting for coastal industries like fishing and tourism, threaten to undermine our ability to make informed decisions that safeguard both the environment and local businesses. Without accurate projections of sea level rise, hurricane strength, and ecosystem changes, we risk substantial economic losses and damage to invaluable natural resources that drive our state's economy. Preserving NOAA's ocean monitoring capabilities is essential to protecting South Carolina's coastal communities and maintaining the viability of industries that rely on healthy marine ecosystems. Reinvestment in this critical federal agency will pay dividends by bolstering coastal resiliency and economic security.