Chincoteague Mayor, Rep. Jen Kiggans Push for Federal Lifeguard Funding After Summer Shortage

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE, Va. — At a House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands hearing Tuesday, Chincoteague Mayor Denise Bowden and Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) urged Congress to pass H.R. 5063, the SAFE Beaches and Safe Swimmers Act. If passed, the bill would require the federal government to provide and pay for lifeguards on federally owned beaches during shortages, such as at Assateague Island National Seashore.

U.S. Rep. Kiggans warned that clear federal rules must be established so beach towns like Chincoteague aren’t left to pick up the costs during shortages.

“This bill directs the secretary of the interior to work with local governments to ensure there is proper lifeguard coverage in the event of a lifeguard shortage,” Kiggans said.

Kiggans said local governments should be able to count on the National Park Service to provide the funding. Mayor Bowden testified before the committee in support of the bill.

“Knowing that there’s someone there keeping an eye on things is a great reassurance for people,” Bowden said.

Last summer, a federal hiring freeze left Assateague Island unable to hire lifeguards for the peak summer season, despite assurances from the Department of the Interior that temporary workers like lifeguards would be exempt.

During the freeze, the town of Chincoteague and Accomack County had to pay nearly $28,000 to hire a private lifeguard contractor. Assateague beaches remained unguarded until mid-July.

“We have yet to be reimbursed for our part of that, and the county has not been reimbursed for their part either,” Bowden said.

After bystanders jumped in to rescue an individual who nearly drowned last summer, surfer Carter Ficklen said the added protection is needed.

“The ocean is a dangerous place. I grew up surfing, so I was very comfortable with it, but I’ve rescued over the years from surfing, and I’ve rescued people who have been caught in rip currents,” Ficklen said.

The bill has drawn bipartisan support, and advocates hope it will advance quickly before the end of the 119th Congress.