USA: Carolina Beach Renourishment Efforts Move Ahead

U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre announced that language he authored and proposed to help the Carolina Beach renourishment project has been incorporated in a critical coastal bill that has passed the U.S. Senate.

The U.S. Senate has passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that includes legislative language to extend the renourishment period for this critical beach project and others nationwide. The Carolina Beach project was due to expire next year.

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan was the lead sponsor of this language in the Senate, and McIntyre thanked her for her cooperative efforts and leadership.

The Carolina Beach renourishment project is set to expire in 2014, and no plan was in place to address this project, along with similar other renourishment projects in the nation. Congressman McIntyre has introduced legislation in the last two Congresses to extend this project.

Congressman McIntyre stated, “This is one more step toward victory for Carolina Beach! We must do everything we can to keep the Carolina Beach renourishment project going forward, as it is important for the economy and the environment of New Hanover County. Beach renourishment is critical to public safety and for the protection of private property for businesses and homeowners. Ending this project and initiating a new start project from scratch would require potentially millions of dollars to be spent on duplicative reconnaissance and feasibility studies. Many thanks to my North Carolina colleague, Senator Kay Hagan, for her leadership and hard work to include this language in the WRDA bill.”

“Our federal policies have to keep pace with the needs of our coastal communities,” said Hagan. “Continued funding for beach nourishment is vital to protecting homes and businesses across Carolina Beach. I was proud that I was able to work in a bipartisan fashion to modify the bill so that Carolina Beach has the opportunity to be considered for this critical funding, and I will continue working with Congressman McIntyre and our North Carolina delegation to ensure our coastal communities can continue to thrive.”

The Senate-passed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorizes a process for reviewing shore protection projects that will soon reach the end of their 50-year period for federal fiscal participation. The review can result in the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works determining that there is a federal interest in the project and extending that period for an additional 15 years.

Congressman McIntyre has long been a supporter of investments for coastal infrastructure and Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects and has worked throughout his time in Congress to provide assistance to the coastal communities in Southeastern North Carolina. He is the founder and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Waterways Caucus.

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Press Release, May 23, 2013