H.R. 524 would amend the Coastal Barrier Reef Act to establish an exception allowing federal financial assistance for certain projects that remove and transport sand from the Coastal Barrier Resource System (CBRS). The exception would apply only to coastal areas that have previously received sand from the CBRS for coastal storm risk management. Under current law, most projects are prohibited from using sand from the CBRS because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) identifies those coastal areas as protected to preserve fish and wildlife habitats and prevent loss of life or property.
In 2021, USFWS updated its guidance to prohibit removing sand from the CBRS for restoration activities outside of that system. After that guidance was updated, the Army Corps of Engineers conducted such beach restoration projects either through emergency exceptions to remove sand from the CBRS or by identifying alternative sources of sand.
Using information from the Corps, CBO expects that implementing the bill would not have a significant effect on the resources needed for or the timing of ongoing projects. As a result, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would not have a significant cost; any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
