Frank Lautenberg: “I rise to introduce the Coastal Restoration Act of 2004 for myself and Senator Corzine. Since 1995, the Federal beach…”

“I rise to introduce the Coastal Restoration Act of 2004 for myself and Senator Corzine. Since 1995, the Federal beach nourishment program has been a regular target of the White House Office of Management and Budget, OMB. Under two separate administrations there have been at least five efforts to radically change or terminate the program. The 1996, Congress passed the Shore Protection Act as Section 227 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996. That legislation was the first statement by Congress since 1946 of its intent that the Nation needed an ongoing Federal beach nourishment program. Unfortunately, that has not stopped OMB from trying to change Federal policies by making budget proposals that would cripple the program. The Coastal Restoration Act, CRA, restates the congressional intent regarding the importance of the Federal beach nourishment program. The CRA makes it clear that changes in administration policy will not prevent feasibility and other types of studies from being processed through the Corps of Engineers and sent to Congress. The legislation emphasizes the role of Congress in determining which beach nourishment projects should be authorized for construction. It also re-states and strengthens existing law that periodic renourishment is an integral part of the ongoing construction of a beach nourishment project.”