While some effects are already being felt, sea-level rise is expected to have a profound impact on Florida’s coastal cities in the years to come. Statistics indicate that sea levels will continue to rise for centuries, with an anticipated 24 inches or more by 2100. As a firm with 11 offices across the state of Florida, and headquartered in South Florida, the issue of flooding and sea-level rise is one that is particularly personal and one that we are closely monitoring.
We may have little control in slowing down the environmental impact, but there are steps that can be taken now to mitigate risk. The Becker team provides flooding and sea-level rise counsel to a variety of clients with regard to development projects, procurements, insurance claims, land use issues, common ownership housing issues, government mitigation plans and processes, and other related issues.
In the News
In the News
Ellyn Bogdanoff Introduces Power Panel of Florida’s Landmark Resiliency Law Roundtable
Becker & Client AFCA Work With State Leaders to Establish Statewide Resiliency Program to Address Flooding & Sea Level Rise
Gov. DeSantis signs sea level rise and flooding package
Becker Shareholder and former Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff kicked off the Florida’s Landmark “Always Ready” Resiliency Law Explained roundtable with introductions of Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, and DEP Director of the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection Alex Reed. The event, hosted by the American Flood Coalition and moderated by AFC Florida Director Alec Bogdanoff, explored the history and goals of the legislation, as well as its expected impact on Florida’s approach to flooding and sea level rise.
Becker congratulates the Florida Legislature on passing – without reservation – Senate Bill 1954, Statewide Flooding and Sea-level Rise Resilience, introduced by Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera (R-Coral Gables) and Sen. Ray Rodrigues (R-Ft. Myers). The bipartisan bill establishes statewide resiliency programs that assess and address inland and coastal flooding and sea level rise.
Mitigation grants were among DeSantis’ and House leadership’s top priorities. Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a pair of bills to address the impact of climate change and sea level rise. The measures were among the Governor’s priorities. House Speaker Chris Sprowls similarly marked them as top priorities.
Becker Helps Navigate Critical Bills that Empower Local Communities to Combat Rising Sea Level
“Florida Must Take the Lead When It Comes to Sea Level Rise,” Florida Politics
“Rising Sea Levels Bring a Wave of Risk — Even in Unexpected Locales,” Community Association Management Insider
Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals at offices throughout the East Coast, helped secure the passage of legislation that will provide more than $100 million every year to help communities combat the effects of rising sea levels across Florida.
There’s a joke about South Florida – there are two things you can see from space. The first is the Great Wall of China and the second is the divide between Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Neither is really true, and more and more each day our region and our state are becoming increasingly unified. South Florida is inextricably linked by more than just our shared jokes about I-95 traffic and our Instagram-worthy winter days.
For some time now, many community association managers realized that rising sea levels can put their clients at risk. Sea walls are no panacea. “When Hurricane Irma hit Marco Island,” says David Muller, a shareholder and board-certified specialist in condominium and planned development law with the Naples, Fla., office of Becker & Poliakoff, “there were communities where the sea walls gave way, and buildings were suspended over water.”
About Becker
Becker’s multidisciplinary Sea Level Rise Advisory Services team includes attorneys and government relations professionals across firm practices including Government Law & Lobbying, Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate, Construction Litigation, P3, and Community Association Law.
- Government Law & Lobbying
We have an opportunity to be forward-thinking, fiscally responsible, and preserve our state’s greatest assets – its environment and people. Our Government Law & Lobbying team represents public and private clients in advocating for resiliency measures at the local, state, and federal levels. We help our clients to protect property values, reduce business interruption, create new high-paying jobs, and invest in our communities with a keen understanding of the future. In 2021, Becker’s State Lobbying team was instrumental in helping to secure the passage of Florida’s “Always Ready” legislation which will provide more than $100 million every year to help communities combat the effects of rising sea levels across the state. - Land Use & Zoning
Creating and transforming land use and zoning classifications to assist clients who are pursuing development projects and business opportunities throughout the state has been an important part of Becker’s core business since its inception. The combination of our pre-eminence in real estate, local governmental law, lobbying, and construction law provides our developer clients with unique and unparalleled counsel in planning, developing and building projects. - Real Estate
Real Estate Law has been a core practice for Becker since its founding in 1973. Our team has helped shape the local landscape through representation of developers of multi-family and single-family residential communities; business and property owners; and financial institutions. We understand the nuanced legal issues that development projects require. - Construction Litigation
Litigation involving public and private companies, local and federal governments, insurance companies, and private individuals often stem over compensation related to the costs of sea level rise adaptation. When adaptation decisions are made, such as elevating roads or building sea walls, clients want to ensure their interests remain protected. Our team effectively advocates for our clients’ business interests and defends them through all facets of dispute resolution. -
Public, Private Partnerships (P3)
Continued downward pressure on government budgets combined with mounting need for improvements to roads, sewers, and other public assets creates business opportunities for private companies to partner with public entities to fill that void. Becker established its Public, Private Partnership practice team with attorneys having proven public and private sector knowledge, experience and contacts in order to assist governmental entities and businesses seeking to partner on public facilities in overcoming dwindling government funds and ever-increasing demands for improved infrastructure. - Community Association
Representing over 3,000 community associations throughout Florida, our team has the experience and know-how to guide clients through the process of adopting the proactive steps necessary to protect residents’ property values. Becker’s Community Association Leadership Lobby (CALL) also works closely with local and state government to vie for friendly community association legislation.
