Volume 49 · 1983
Public Law 74–849
For the improvement and protection of the beaches along the shores of the United States.
Approved June 26, 1936
Statutory text
AN ACT
For the improvement and protection of the beaches along the shores of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That it is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States to assist in the construction where Federal interests are involved, but not the maintenance. of works for the improvement and protection of the beaches along the shores of the United States, and to prevent erosion due to the action of waves, tides, and currents, with the purpose of preventing damage to property along the shores of the United States, and promoting and encouraging the healthful recreation of
“Beaches” construed.
the people. As used in this Act, the word “beaches” includes all those situated on the coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, and the shores of the Great Lakes, and all estuaries and bays directly connected therewith.
Sec. 2.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary of War, through the Beach Erosion Board, organized under the provisions of section 2 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, approved July 3, 1930, to make investigations with a view to determining the most suitable methods of beach protection and restoration of beaches in different localities;
Locations for recreational facilities.
Publication of useful data.
to advise the States, counties, municipalities, or individuals of the appropriate locations fox recreational facilities; and to publish from time to time such useful data and information concerning the protection of beaches as the Board may deem to be of value to the people of the United States: Provided, That not more than 75 per
Proviso.
Proportion of cost to be borne by United States.
Application of existing laws, etc.
centum of the cost of any specific investigation shall be borne by the United States.
All provisions of existing law relating to examinations and surveys and to works of improvement of rivers and harbors shall apply, insofar as practicable, to examinations and surveys and to works of improvement relating to shore protection; except
Exception.
that all projects having to do with shore protection shall be referred for consideration and recommendation to the Beach Erosion Board instead of to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors.
Sec. 3.
The Beach Erosion Board, in making its report on any
Report by Board; recommendations.
work or project relating to shore protection shall, in addition to any other matters upon which it may be required to report, state its opinion as to (a) the advisability of adopting the project, (b) what Federal interest, if any, is involved in the proposed improvement, and (c) what share of the expense, if any, should be borne by the United States.
Sec. 4.
Any expenses incident and necessary in the undertaking
Expenses.
of the investigations and studies authorized herein may be paid from funds hitherto or hereafter appropriated for examinations, surveys, and contingencies for rivers and harbors.
Approved, June 26, 1936.