Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) was joined by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) in leading 22 members of Congress from both parties in sending a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water urging full funding for shoreline protection projects.  These projects include beach fills and renourishment, construction of shore structures like sea walls and breakwaters, and best practices and management like regional sediment management that protect coastal communities from devastating storms. (Click here to view a copy of the letter).

“Shore protection projects are vital to the well-being of coastal communities, shielding residents and property from damaging storms. They also are critical to preserve the beaches that our tourism-driven economy relies on in South Florida. Without our beaches, our way of life would be threatened, which is why I will continue to fight for funding to address shore protection,” said Congresswoman Frankel.

“I am proud to join Congresswoman Lois Frankel in supporting the safety of the South Florida coastline. Due to rising ocean levels and the constant threat of hurricanes, Miami Beach and other areas of South Florida are increasingly at risk of flood damage. We must do everything in our power to protect the economically vibrant South Florida area with robust funding for shoreline protection projects in the Energy and Water Appropriations Act,” said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz.

Congresswoman Frankel has been a staunch advocate for shore protection projects.  One of her first votes in Congress was to help pass the bipartisan Hurricane Sandy relief bill, which included funds for South Florida beach renourishment. She also helped secure over $150 million in funding to renourish beaches, including four in Palm Beach County (Boca Raton, Delray, Ocean Ridge, and Jupiter) and worked to get Broward County reimbursed $10 million for a federal renourishment project in South Broward that dated back to 2006. 

By the Numbers:

• Palm Beach County is estimated to have seen more than 6.24 million visitors in 2014, bringing with them billions of dollars in economic impact.
• Broward’s beaches attracted 14 million visitors last year, generating $11.4 billion for the county’s economy.
• Florida saw a record 97.3 million visitors in 2014, employing 1.1 million people in tourism-related jobs across the state.
• In 2012, beach tourism resulted in $50 billion in sales added to the state’s economy and 450,000 jobs created.