Steve Israel: “I rise today with very great concern for the future of our beaches. Beach tourism contributes $260 billion to the United…”

“I rise today with very great concern for the future of our beaches. Beach tourism contributes $260 billion to the United States economy every year. The administration's fiscal year 2005 budget, unfortunately, cuts shore protection projects and studies by nearly 50 percent. Now, this includes canceling the Fire Island to Montauk Point Reformulation Study, a project that provides storm protection and beach erosion control along an 83-mile portion of Long Island's south shore. An estimated 11.3 million people visit Suffolk County's beaches every year. In Suffolk County alone, south shore beaches contribute $256 million to the regional economy and thousands of jobs. The Fire Island to Montauk Point Study is over 4 decades old and $20 million in the making. Completing this nearly completed study is a top concern for thousands of homeowners and beachgoers in my congressional district. This is like bringing the ball 99 yards downfield, putting it on the 1 yard line, and walking away.”