Coastal Communities

Mike is a staunch protector of our coastal natural resources because so many of our communities depend on the beaches and waterways to drive their local economies.

The coast provides livelihoods for fishermen, suppliers, tugboat operators, and port workers, as well as thousands of people who are employed in the tourism and hospitality industries. In addition to its renowned beaches, Southeastern North Carolina is also home of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) and many shallow draft inlets. These inlets and waterways support recreational boaters as well as sizable commercial traffic. Barges use the waterway to access the Port of Morehead City and the Port of Wilmington, while charter boats and head boats take tourists and residents out on the open seas for a day of fishing. Since going to Congress, Mike has secured over half a billion dollars in funds for our beaches, waterway, inlets, and ports.

As a founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Waterways Caucus and a member of both the House Coastal Caucus and the House Oceans Caucus, Mike has worked with coastal communities in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties to ensure that their beaches and waterways are properly maintained and nourished. A healthy beach is a coastal community’s first line of defense against storms and erosion.