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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
Washington lobbyist Howard Marlowe reports in his newsletter Coastal Connection that legislation has been introduced in the Senate, and will soon be introduced in the House, that he said "signals one prong of the coastal community's response to efforts to gut the federal beach nourishment program". On Tuesday New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg introduced the Coastal Restoration Act of 2004 (S. 2105) in the Senate. A companion bill is also expected to be introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Frank LoBiondo, also of New Jersey. "The shore's economic, environmental, and aesthetic benefits are truly limitless. That's why I am introducing the Coastal Restoration Act of 2004," Lautenberg said. "My legislation will revitalize the federal beach nourishment program by placing beach nourishment projects on a par with other Army Corps projects, and assigning recreational benefits the same priority as storm damage protection and environmental restoration, correcting the inequities in our current practices." "The Coastal Restoration Act raises the stakes for the Office of Management and Budget," Marlowe said. "It restates the congressional intent regarding the vitality 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 and sent to Congress." Marlowe urges the governmental entities he represents and others who receive his newsletter to urge their Senators and Congressmen to co-sponsor the legislation.
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