The 2008 American Shore and Beach Preservation Association Coastal Summit is underway in Washington, D.C.  Lynda Guidry is covering the meeting. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

Tony Pratt, the chair of the Summit welcomed delegates from across the United States to the meeting in and introduced United States Representative Mike Castle, who delivered the keynote address. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

A topic of the afternoon session was "Coastal Tourism: Making Money for Uncle Sam".   D.T. Minich of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention & Visitors Bureau was the first to speak on the subject. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

Bill Hardman of the Southeast Tourism Society also addressed issues related to coastal tourism. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

During the afternoon break, Lynda Guidry talked to ASBPA President Harry Simmons. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

Galveston Park Board of Trustees Chair Jerri Kinnear also visited with Lynda during the break. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

Two representatives of the United States Corps of Engineers addressed the conference:

Jeff Waters spoke on "Regional Sediment Management and its Future Impact". Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

Tab Brown spoke on "Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks". Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

Dr. Bruce Taylor, a member of Coastal Engineering Research Board, spoke on "Reducing Coastal Hazards: What Can We Learn from Other Countries?" Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

The final speaker on the first day of the conference was Howard Marlowe, ASBPA government affairs director.  His remarks were entitled, "Is the Federal Government Abandoning the Coast?" Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

For comprehensive coverage of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association Coastal Summit on GuidryNews.com Click Here