USA: Congressman Secures Funding for Beach Restoration Projects

Congressman Patrick E. Murphy has announced that the Army Corps of Engineers is awarding funding to restore Fort Pierce Beach to its pre-Hurricane Sandy condition.

Furthermore, the Army Corps is in the process of releasing funding needed for the Martin County Shore Protection Project.

“From day one, getting funding for beach restoration projects has been one of my top priorities. Renourishing these important areas will preserve beaches, structures, property, and sea turtle nesting areas. Furthermore, the health of our beaches is directly related to the health of our local economy,” said Rep. Murphy.

“Additionally, our economy relies on the well-being of our many waterways, which is why I have also been working with the Army Corps to ensure funding for dredging and other projects on the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches. While there are multiple projects that need funding, I have been meeting regularly with the Army Corps, the South Florida Water Management District, and the county commissioners to prioritize and support these important projects. I am pleased that we were able to all come together to get this vital funding for beach restoration in St. Lucie and Martin counties and I will continue to work to see that other outstanding projects get the funding they need and deserve.”

Congressman Murphy has been actively working with the Army Corps in support of these projects since his first days in office. In January, he met with Rock Salt, a senior Army Corps official, at the Army Corps headquarters at the Pentagon to express his support for the projects in Martin, St. Lucie, and Palm Beach counties that were affected by Hurricane Sandy. At this meeting he also emphasized his support for Everglades Restoration Projects and the progress of the C-44 Reservoir project.

Following this meeting, Congressman Murphy sent a letter to Assistant Secretary Darcy, the head of the Army Corps of Engineers, advocating for supplemental funding for these projects. He also met with the Jacksonville District Commander Colonel Dodd on February 20th, again stating the importance of shore renourishment and inlet dredging projects in Martin, St. Lucie, and Palm Beach counties.

Congressman Murphy then hosted senior Army Corps official Mark Mezzanti and Martin County Commissioners in his D.C. office on March 20th where he again expressed the importance of inlet dredging and shore restoration, and again sent a letter to Assistant Secretary Darcy advocating for emergency funding for these important projects that were negatively affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Yesterday, Congressman Murphy met with Colonel Dodd and St. Lucie County Commissioners, where these award announcements were discussed as well as other pending projects.

[mappress]

Press Release, March 28, 2013