EP 1165-2-1
30 Jul 99
CHAPTER 14
SHORE PROTECTION
(NOTE: Storm damage reduction policies are currently undergoing
Administration/Congressional review, and the policies in this chapter
will be updated when this review is completed).
14-1.
Beach Erosion Control.
a. Federal Interest. Before 1930, Federal interest in shore
erosion problems was limited to the protection of Federal property and
improvements for navigation. At that time, an advisory "Board on Sand
Movement and Beach Erosion" appointed by the Chief of Engineers was
the prinicipal instrumentality of the Federal Government in this
field. The need for a central agency to assemble data and provide
engineering expertise regarding coastal protection was recognized by
Congress with creation of the Beach Erosion Board authorized by
Section 2 of the River and Harbor Act approved 3 July 1930 (Public Law
520, 7lst Congress, 33 U.S.C. 426). The board was empowered to make
studies of beach erosion problems at the request of, and in
cooperation with cities, counties, or states. The Federal Government
bore up to half the cost of each study but did not bear any
construction costs unless Federally-owned property was involved. An
Act of Congress approved 13 August 1946 (Public Law 727, 79th
Congress) established a policy of Federal aid in construction costs
where projects protected publicly-owned shores. An Act approved 28
July 1956 (Public Law 826, 84th Congress) amended that basic beach
erosion legislation to authorize Federal participation in the
protection of private property if such protection was incidental to
the protection of publicly owned shores, or if such protection would
result in public benefits. The River and Harbor Act of 1962 (Public
Law 87-874) increased the proportion of construction costs borne by
the Federal Government and made the total cost of studies a Federal
responsibility. An Act approved 7 November 1963 (Public Law 88-172)
abolished the Beach Erosion Board, transferred its review functions to
the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and established the
Coastal Engineering Research Center. The Water Resources Development
Act (WRDA) of 1986 (Public Law 99-662) recognizes hurricane and storm
damage reduction (HSDR) and/or recreation as the primary purposes of
beach erosion control (BEC) projects, alters the proportion of
construction costs that may be borne by the Federal Government, and
reduces the Federal cost participation in feasibility studies to 50
percent. (ER 1165-2-130)
b. Definitions. Under existing shore protection laws Congress
has authorized Federal participation in the cost of restoring and
protecting the shores of the United States, its territories and
possessions. The intent of this legislation is to prevent or control
shore erosion in order to reduce damage to upland developments caused
by wind- and tidal-generated waves and currents along the Nation's
coasts and shores, and lakes, estuaries, and bays directly connected
therewith. Such adverse effect extends only the distance up tributary
streams where it can be demonstrated that the dominant causes of
erosion are ocean tidal action (or Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes
water motion) and wind-generated waves. Shore protection legislation
does not authorize correction of erosion at upstream locations caused
by stream flows. Shore or beach erosion is primarily the result of
persistent littoral processes and by the battering action of waves
occurring during storms. Shore or beach erosion damages include both
losses to upland development--land and structures--and losses of
14-1
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