LETTER TO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION REGARDNG FUNDING FOR CORPS OF ENGINEERS

The Jersey Shore Partnership is a not-for-profit advocacy group founded in 1992 to provide a permanent source of funding to protect beaches along New Jersey’s 127 mile coastline from disastrous storms and the resulting erosion and damage to the infrastructure. I write to you on behalf of our 35 member Board of Directors to express our concern that the proposed budget for the Corps of Engineers could eliminate funding for beach projects.

The Army Corps of Engineers has been a critical partner in this effort and the Federal governments has provided funding (65%) matched by the state and local governments to carry out the necessary replenishment projects. Beach replenishment has proven to be an efficient and economical response to rebuilding beaches and restoring the tourism economies of the affected regions. In short, no beach, no tourists, no local and state revenues.

Chairman Obey’s January 15th press release states that the Corps of Engineers has a construction backlog of $61 billion. The House leadership now proposes only $4.5 billion to meet that need when it proposed $5 billion for the same purpose in legislation that passed the House last fall. Recognizing the need for fiscal responsibility in a very serious economic downturn, we suggest that Corp of Engineer projects stimulate the economy, create jobs, and return money to our communities and tax revenue to the States impacted by those projects.

The Jersey Shore Partnership is a member of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association and as such supports the letter sent to President –elect Barack Obama and to the Senate and House leadership seeking consideration of at least the $5 billion as first proposed.