Washed Out to Sea. How Congress Prioritizes Beach Pork National Needs

摘要

Many Americans are unaware that their government has spent billions of dollars on beach projects knowing they will simply wash out to sea. Known as beach nourishment, this misplaced priority is an effort at various beach locations that pumps offshore sand-type sediment onto beaches. This investigative report examines why federal funding of beach nourishment is a short-sighted and inefficient use of taxpayer dollars. Specifically, this report finds that these costly beach projects: (1) can divert scarce financial and human resources away from more vital infrastructure needs; (2) are temporary and require perpetual upkeep; (3) encourage risky coastal construction which in turn necessitates more beach nourishment and hinders implementing permanent solutions to coastal erosion; (4) are primarily secured by Members of Congress on behalf of beach-front communities represented by influential lobbying firms; (5) primarily benefit local and wealthy coastal property owners and businesses; often negatively impact the environment and certain species; (6) are linked to human health problems; and (7) can restrict private property rights.