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Beach Sand Funding On Hold

Projects to restore sand on some San Diego County beaches are in limbo. Federal and state funding for the projects has been cut or delayed. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has the story.

Beach Sand Funding On Hold

Projects to restore sand on some San Diego County beaches are in limbo. Federal and state funding for the projects has been cut or delayed. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has the story.

First, California cut funding for beach sand replacement programs.

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Now, California Coastal Coalition Executive Director Steve Aceti says federal stimulus money for those projects isn't coming to San Diego either.

He says the Office of Management and Budget has pulled funding for every beach replenishment project from the stimulus list.

Aceti calls it a double whammy because two months ago California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger froze funding for coastal projects.

"In Solana Beach and Encinitas they're almost done with a feasiblity study that would lead to engineering and design of a beach project," he said. "Both of those areas need the sand and if we don't get it, it's going to hurt the region's economy."

He says the lack of funding could delay or even doom those projects and one in Imperial Beach.

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Studies show that beach tourism contributes tens of billions of dollars to California's economy each year.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.