Calvert Re-Introduces SAND Act
Calvert Re-Introduces SAND Act
Friday, February 11, 2005
The Shoreline Augmentation, Nourishment and Development Act
WASHINGTON, DC -Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA-44) yesterday reintroduced the Shoreline Augmentation, Nourishment and Development Act (SAND Act), H.R.754. The legislation would raise the maximum amount that may be allotted by the Secretary of the Army for the construction of small shore and beach restoration and protection projects.
"Increasing the cap on the federal share will allow local communities to engage in a meaningful partnership with the federal government in order to better manage and protect their shorelines," said Rep. Calvert. "This bill is important to my constituency in Orange County who are constantly working to maintain the high quality of beaches in our area."
In the past, Congress passed its authority to approve certain Army Corps of Engineers projects to the Chief of Engineers. This authority is known as the Continuing Authorities Program, and it includes Section 103 projects which address Shoreline Protection.
Section 103 projects allow the Army Corps of Engineers to partner with local authorities to investigate and construct shoreline protection projects, including sand replenishment. The problem is that beach replenishment projects are costly, and under Section 103, these projects are capped at $3,000,000 for the Federal cost share. This amount no longer reflects the real costs of engaging in beach restoration and shoreline protection projects.
The proposed legislation raises the Section 103 statutory Federal cost limitation per project from $3,000,000 to $10,000,000. The proposed legislation also modifies the Section 103 total annual program from $30,000,000 to $50,000,000, to account for the proposed increase of the Section 103 project cost limit. Calvert plans to solicit support for the bill from lawmakers with coastal areas in their districts.
"This increase is desperately needed for communities who simply cannot absorb the costs of shoreline protection on their own. The hurricanes of 2004 showed how necessary this protection is," stated Rep. Calvert. "The federal government does have a role in protecting our public beaches and increasing this cap demonstrates a federal commitment to the beauty and care of national treasures, such as Southern California's beaches.
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