The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
Federal stimulus money can't pay for beach replenishment projects, such as the one proposed in Virginia Beach, the White House Office of Management and Budget has determined.
Virginia Beach and coastal communities in several states had lobbied the Obama administration to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to use stimulus money for sand replenishment.
Virginia Beach had asked for $10 million to replace the sand at the Oceanfront for hurricane protection and for tourism.
"Of course we're disappointed," said city water resources engineer Phillip Roehrs about the federal decision last week.
Critics had argued that sand replenishment is a local project and that money designed to create jobs shouldn't be used.
Beach officials still hope for federal funding and have asked Congress for $9.3 million in the next budget for the project, Roehrs said.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Tell Feds to pack sand
'Nuff said, let's figure out how to do some things on our own.
Just Toss the Money Into the Wind, Does as Much Good
Good for the Feds. Money spent on beach replenishment would not add anyone to the working class. Corps of Engineer vessels, or other already working dredges move the sand to the beach, city staff move the sand with existing equipment. What new jobs? Improved infrastructure? With beach replenisment, it needs to be accomplished every year or couple of years. Not a good way to spend cash these days. Removing all of the utility poles along Atlantic Avenue north of the Caviler and place them all in readily accessible underground vaults in the median or shoulder roadway would employ dozens/hundreds and would be a permenant and truly beneficial improvement that would last for many many decades. The CoVB cast its own fate by allowing development across and atop the dunes across the Resort Area, Croatan and Sandbridge. Maybe if enough sand was placed on the beach, perhaps the goofy birds from the OBX will start to nest along the Resort area requiring closure to all and we can all go down to the OBX and really enjoy the beaches again, w/ free parking too!
A local tax makes sense
A local tax on businesses that benefit from tourists is a great idea for paying for beach replenishment. Let's not forget the homeowners that live right behind the beaches too. Trying to say that everyone benefits from beach replenishment is like trying to say that everyone benefits from expensive golf courses. Let those that benefit and use them the most, pay for the replenishment.
Typical responses
We should be not surprised with the hypocritical responses of some people. Blame the Obama administration, really? These are the same people that if they saw a CNN article on federal funding of sand replenishment in Myrtle Beach would decry it as pork politics. I say these cranks are getting their just desserts. Sand in your cupcake--let the hotels and hotel owners pick up the slack.
Let Developers pay
Let the Laskin Road "Gateway" developers pay, after all they stand to gain the most from marketable beaches.
closed mind bias
Whether something is beneficial or not doesn't matter to some of the responders. They write 'crank letters' pooh-poohing anything----ANYTHING!
Maybe if we renamed it the "
Maybe if we renamed it the " John Murtha Memorial Beach " we could get some stimulus money!
think outta the (sand) box
If Va Beach leaders were smart, they'd quit rousting the homeless & illegals & let 'em camp right there on the beach.
Then Obama wouldn't be able to whip out his Carte Blanche fast enough; they'd have to construct a pipeline (hey, even more jobs!) to handle all the floose flowing in.
Spread the cost around
to the hotel owners and developers from both sides of Atlantic Ave and Pacifis Ave since they are advertising "beach fun in the sun and sand" to the tourists. And profiting from their efforts. It's MARKETING! You keep the sand coming and you keep the beaches full.
No Sand???..
...oh darn....now what will we do?...you know if you made the resort strip LOCAL friendly...you could have a few citizens pitch'n in here...but alas...we are not allowed.