[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 132 (Wednesday, September 24, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S11916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INOUYE:
  S. 1653. A bill to ensure that recreational benefits are given the 
same priority as hurricane and storm damage reduction benefits and 
environmental restoration benefits; to the Committee on Environment and 
Public Works.
  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the National Beach 
Recreation and Economic Benefits Act. This measure would require the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Army Corps, to give recreational benefits 
the same priority as hurricane and storm damage reduction benefits when 
justifying beach restoration projects.
  The Army Corps performs a valuable service in protecting our nation's 
beaches against erosion. They have effectively restored and repaired 
damaged beaches for over the past 50 years. Unfortunately, under 
current policy, the Army Corps only authorizes and funds beach 
restoration projects that protect property against storm and hurricane 
damage. The Army Corps does not recommend authorization or funding of 
beach restoration projects that only provide recreational benefits.
  Beaches help support tourism and serve as an important source of fun 
for many Americans who seek inexpensive recreation. Many of these 
beaches are not eligible for beach restoration because they lack 
sufficient structural development along coastlines to warrant a 
restoration project solely on the basis of storm or hurricane damage 
reduction. While local governments and communities have taken proactive 
measures to avert flood damage, they are being denied the much needed 
beach restoration assistance by the Army Corps.
  In addition, by limiting beach restoration projects to storm and 
hurricane damage reduction, the Army Corps has established a policy 
that inadvertently aids more developed shorelines than others. The 
method for determining storm and hurricane damage reduction benefits is 
based on the assessed value of the private property and public 
infrastructure immediately adjacent to the beach. Therefore, the 
benefits will be much higher for densely developed shorelines than less 
densely developed shorelines. For example, a high-rise residential 
condominium or hotel would provide more storm reduction benefits than a 
single family home.
  Accordingly, the National Beach Recreation and Economic Benefits Act 
will ensure that recreation benefits are accorded the same 
considerations as storm and hurricane damage reduction benefits. I urge 
my colleagues to support this measure. I ask unanimous consent that the 
text of my bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1653

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``National Beach Recreation 
     and Economic Benefits Act''.

     SEC. 2. GOALS TO BE ADDRESSED IN PLANNING OF WATER RESOURCE 
                   PROJECTS.

       Section 904 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 
     (33 U.S.C. 2281) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 904. GOALS TO BE ADDRESSED IN PLANNING OF WATER 
                   RESOURCE PROJECTS.

       ``(a) In General.--Each of the goals of enhancing national 
     economic development, the quality of the total environment, 
     the well-being of the people of the United States, the 
     prevention of loss of life, and the preservation of cultural 
     and historical values shall be addressed in the formulation 
     and evaluation of water resources projects to be carried out 
     by the Secretary.
       ``(b) Display of Associated Benefits and Costs.--The 
     quantifiable and unquantifiable costs and benefits associated 
     with the goals relating to water resources projects described 
     in subsection (a) shall be displayed in any analysis of the 
     costs and benefits of those projects.''.

     SEC. 3. GIVING RECREATIONAL BENEFITS THE SAME STATUS AS OTHER 
                   BEACH RESTORATION BENEFITS.

       Subsection (e)(2)(B) of the first section of the Act of 
     August 13, 1946 (33 U.S.C. 426e(e)(2)(B)), is amended by 
     striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:
       ``(ii) Considerations; procedures.--In making 
     recommendations relating to shore protection projects under 
     clause (i), the Secretary shall--

       ``(I) consider the economic and ecological benefits of the 
     shore protection projects; and
       ``(II) develop and implement procedures for the 
     determination of national economic benefits that treat 
     benefits provided for recreation, hurricane and storm damage 
     reduction, and environmental restoration equally.''.

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