U.S. Support for Beach-Erosion Fight Is Eroding

Orange County and two coastal cities stand to lose close to $5 million to replenish eroding beaches under President Bush’s proposed 2002 budget.

The projects, which are funded by federal, state and local dollars, are conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The corps’ proposed 2002 discretionary budget is $3.9 billion, a 14% cut from the current fiscal year.

Locally, three projects are affected by the proposed cuts:

* Surfside/Sunset Beach requested $4 million in federal funds for sand replenishment but is budgeted to receive $300,000. Last year, it received $5 million.

* Orange County requested $800,000 for a feasibility study but receives nothing under the proposed budget. Last year, the county received $475,000.

* San Clemente requested $400,000 but is allocated $100,000 under the proposal. Last year, it received funds through the county allocation.

“If you look down the table of [allocations], they’re throwing $50,000 here and $400,000 there, which is one-tenth of what those particular projects need,” said Howard Marlowe, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbyist who represents coastal communities including San Clemente. “It’s being spread all over the place in what I would say is a haphazard fashion.”

Bush’s budget proposal sets aside $87.5 million for “beach nourishment” or replenishment, more than the $55 million the Clinton administration proposed for the current fiscal year.

Congress increased this year’s allocation to $128 million, and Marlowe hopes Congress will raise 2002’s budget to $120 million.

Some coastal officials have also received notice that the current cost-sharing agreement, under which the federal government pays 65% and state and local agencies 35%, will be reversed.

A memo written by the Army’s deputy assistant secretary says existing projects will be supported only if state and local officials agree to pay 65% of the costs starting in 2002.