House approves sea turtle, beach nourishment bills

Both measures passed with broad support.

April 12, 2024

The House passed legislation Thursday to protect sea turtles, encourage energy projects and facilitate beach rebuilding efforts in North Carolina.

H.R. 524, from Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), would aid sand replenishment in North Carolina's Wrightsville Beach. The legislation would affect an administration decision against the Army Corps of Engineers taking sand from a nearby inlet. It passed by voice vote.

"Wrightsville Beach, which is in my district, serves as one of North Carolina's most popular beaches — hosting visitors from all across the country and driving significant job growth and economic activity for our local communities," Rouzer said last year.

"We also count on a strong robust coastline as the first line of defense against powerful storms, and it's worked by limiting the amount of flooding and damage inflicted."

The Wrightsville Beach area is known as one of the most exposed and densely populated shorelines in the southeastern United States.

Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), a senior member of the Natural Resources Committee, said Democrats moved to support the bill after changes meant to protect habitats under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act. Huffman said the changes would limit the bill to emergency situations.

Other bills

The House also passed legislation Thursday to help sea turtles dealing with the effects of climate change and other problems.

H.R. 2560, from Rep. Bill Keating (D-Mass.), would establish a Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program. It cleared the chamber 332-82. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) is sponsoring a Senate companion, S. 2086.

The House this week also debated H.R. 6011, the "Right-of-Way Application Transparency and Accountability Act," from Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.), but it has yet to get a final vote.

The bill would give the administration 60 days to tell right-of-way applicants whether their application is complete. The goal is to accelerate energy projects on federal land and was part of H.R. 1, the House GOP's broad energy package.


By:  Manuel Quiñones
Source: E&E Daily