FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2004
CONTACT: Russell Schweiss, (850) 245-2112

Governor Bush Signs Bill to Restore Florida's Hurricane Ravaged Beaches

--$68 million in state funding for restoration of impacted coastline--

TALLAHASSEE - After a devastating hurricane season, Governor Jeb Bush today signed SB 14A into law, appropriating supplemental emergency funding for the restoration of the state's storm-damaged beaches. Florida's appropriation provides $68 million for rebuilding dunes and repairing miles of shoreline battered by the forces of four hurricanes.

"Over the last four months, we worked tirelessly to restore our homes and our lives," said Governor Jeb Bush. "Through the joint commitment of the state and federal governments, we can now begin rebuilding Florida's shoreline to restore our natural resources, protect our coastal communities and ensure that our world-class beaches continue to attract millions of visitors."

The hurricane recovery plan, developed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), identifies more than 120 local beach projects ranging from dune restoration to beach renourishment. While many impacted beach and dune systems will recover naturally with time, strategies detailed in the plan will accelerate the natural process and provide coastal communities with storm protection.

"Florida's beaches and dunes act as the first line of defense against storms and high waves, providing a natural buffer for coastal habitats," said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille. "Because of the leadership of Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature, we now have a comprehensive recovery plan that will accelerate nature's recovery and protect our homes, neighborhoods and businesses from future storm damage."

To prepare the beach recovery plan, teams of DEP engineers and environmental managers assessed erosion along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts following the summer storms. Engineers completed close to 1,000 hours of aerial and ground assessments across 25 coastal counties, shooting 76 hours of video and more than 5,200 still photographs to document hurricane damage to the state's famed beaches, sandy dunes and coastal communities.

To aid recovery, the federal government is providing $116 million to repair or nourish federally-authorized shore protection projects in Florida. The $68 million provided by the Florida Legislature for the State's beach recovery plan will compliment the restoration activities and funding provided by federal agencies.

State, federal and local governments invest millions of dollars annually to restore and maintain critically eroded beaches along Florida's 1,350-mile coastline. Over the last three years, the Florida Legislature has appropriated more than $80 million to restore Florida's shoreline. To date, more than 180 miles of beach has been restored and maintained through the State program.