A showdown over a popular water-projects bill moves to the Senate today. Yesterday, House Republicans joined Democrats to override the president's veto. As KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps tells us, that bill includes a local project with a controversy all its own.
The bill would set aside $8.5 million for beach nourishment in Imperial Beach. Army engineers would feed the Silver Strand with tons of offshore sand. That would repair years of storm damage. And help protect beachfront homes from future storms.
The project is opposed by surfers. They say the extra sand could ruin waves, including a legendary surf spot called the Tijuana Sloughs.
The project would cost between $40 million and $60 million dollars over the next 50 years.
All California Democrats approved the water bill. So did Republican Duncan Hunter of Alpine. Republican Darrell Issa voted no.
Republican Brian Bilbray, an avid surfer from Imperial Beach, also voted no.
Andrew Phelps, KPBS News.
