I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4507 
To ensure the continuation and improvement of coastal restoration. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 3, 2004 
Mr. LOBIONDO (for himself and Mr. LAMPSON) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To ensure the continuation and improvement of coastal 
restoration. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Coastal Restoration 
Act’’. 
SEC. 2. PROTECTION OF SHORES. 
(a) DECLARATION OF POLICY.—The first section of 
the Act entitled ‘‘An Act authorizing Federal participation 
in the cost of protecting the shores of publicly owned prop-
erty’’, approved August 13, 1946 (33 U.S.C. 4260) is 
amended to read as follows:
‘‘(a) DECLARATION OF POLICY.—With the purpose 
of preventing damage, restoring and maintaining the 
shores, beaches and other coastal resources of the United 
States, its territories and possessions, and promoting and 
encouraging the healthful recreation of the people, it is 
declared to be the policy of the United States, subject to 
the provisions of this Act, to promote beach nourishment 
projects and related research that encourage the protec-
tion, restoration, and enhancement of sandy beaches and 
other coastal infrastructure, including beach restoration 
and periodic beach nourishment, on a comprehensive and 
coordinated basis by the Federal Government, States, lo-
calities, and private interests. In carrying out this policy, 
preference shall be given to areas— 
‘‘(1) in which there has been a previous invest-
ment of Federal funds; 
‘‘(2) in which regional sediment management 
plans have been adopted; 
‘‘(3) in which the need for prevention or mitiga-
tion of damage to shores, beaches, and other coastal 
infrastructure is attributable to Federal navigation 
projects or other Federal activities; or 
‘‘(4) which promote human health and safety 
and the quality of life for individuals and families.’’.
‘‘(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary shall pay the 
Federal share of the cost of carrying out beach nourish-
ment projects and related research that encourages the 
protection, restoration, and enhancement of shores, sandy 
beaches, and other coastal infrastructure (including 
projects for beach restoration, periodic beach nourishment, 
and restoration or protection of State, county, or other 
shores, public coastal beaches, parks, conservation areas, 
or other environmental resources). 
‘‘(c) FEDERAL SHARE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2) 
through (4), the Federal share of the cost of a 
project described in subsection (b) shall be deter-
mined in accordance with section 103 of the Water 
Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 
2213). 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—In the case of a project for 
beach erosion control the primary purpose of which 
is recreation, the Federal share shall be equal to the 
Federal share for a beach erosion control project the 
primary purpose of which is storm damage protec-
tion or environmental restoration. 
‘‘(3) REMAINDER.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the remainder of the cost of the con-
struction of a project described in subsection 
(b) shall be paid by a State, municipality, other 
political subdivision, nonprofit entity, or private 
interest. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—The Federal Govern-
ment shall bear all of the costs incurred for the 
restoration and protection of Federal property. 
‘‘(4) GREATER FEDERAL SHARE.—In the case 
of a project described in subsection (b) for the res-
toration and protection of a State, county, or other 
publicly-owned shore, coastal beach, park, conserva-
tion area, or other environmental resource, the Chief 
of Engineers may increase the Federal share to be 
greater than that provided in paragraph (1) if the 
area— 
‘‘(A) includes— 
‘‘(i) a zone that excludes permanent 
human habitation; or 
‘‘(ii) a recreational beach or other 
area determined by the Chief of Engineers; 
‘‘(B) satisfies adequate criteria for con-
servation and development of the natural re-
sources of the environment; and
‘‘(C) extends landward a sufficient distance 
to include, as approved by the Chief of Engi-
neers— 
‘‘(i) protective dunes, bluffs, or other 
natural features; 
‘‘(ii) such other appropriate measures 
adopted by the State or political subdivi-
sion of the State to protect uplands areas 
from damage, promote public recreation, or 
protect environmental resources; or 
‘‘(iii) appropriate facilities for public 
use. 
‘‘(d) PERIODIC BEACH NOURISHMENT.—In this Act, 
when the most suitable and economical remedial measures, 
as determined by the Chief of Engineers, would be pro-
vided by periodic beach nourishment, the term ‘construc-
tion’ shall include the deposit of sand fill at suitable inter-
vals of time to furnish sand supply to protect shores and 
beaches for a period of time specified by the Chief of Engi-
neers and authorized by Congress. 
‘‘(e) PRIVATE SHORES AND BEACHES.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—A shore or beach, other 
than a public shore or beach, shall be eligible for 
Federal assistance under this Act if—