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<br />l~i~ <br /> <br />19S5, when Congress direc1ed it to conduct general investigations along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts to identify <br />problem areas and determine the feasibility of protection. While each situation the Corps studies requires <br />different considerations, engineers look at each one with structural and nonstructural solutions in mind. <br />Engineering feasibility and economic efficiency are considered along with the environmental and social <br />impacts. A recommendation for Federal participation is norma1ly based on shore ownership, use, and type <br />and frequency of benefits-if there is nO public use or benefit, Federal participation is not recommended. Once <br />a shore protection project is completed, non-Federal interests assume responsibility for its operation and <br />maintenance. . <br /> <br /><. <br /> <br />Section 145 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1976 authorizes placement of beach quality <br />sand from Corps dredging projects on adjacent beaches with local interests picking up any additional costs of <br />the disposal. Section 933 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 reduces this local cost share from . <br />100 to SO percent of additional costs. <br /> <br />COASTAL AND SHORELINE EROSION <br /> <br />Erosion of coastal shorelines by tides,waves and currents claims extensive shorefront lands and <br />properties every year. Protection against ocean and lake shoreline erosion is typically provided with seawalls, <br />groins or other structures that reduce waves' destructive effects; by filling and nourishing beaches anddunes <br />to replace and maintain lost areas; and by planting vegetation that will hold and stabilize erodible materials. <br />In certain situations, we may treat river streambank erosion problems using such measures as gabions, riprap <br />and vegetative plantings. <br /> <br />HYDROPOWER. <br /> <br />The Corps has played a significant role in meeting the Nation's electric power generation needs by <br />. building and operating hydropower plants in connection with its large multiple purpose dams.. The Corps' <br />involvement in hydropower generation began with the Rivers aDd Harbors Acts of 1890 and 1899, which <br />required the Secretary of War and the Corps of Engineers to approve the sites and plans for all dams and to <br />issue permits for their construction. The R1versa:nd Harbors Act of 1909 directedtheCorpstocollsider. <br />. various water uses, including water power,' when SlIbmitting preliminary reports on potential projects. <br /> <br />The Corps continues to Consider the potential for hydroelectric power development during the planning <br />process for all water resources projecis involving dams and reservoirs. In most instances, hydropower <br />faeilities at Corps' projects are now developed by non-Federal interests without Federal assistance, but the <br />Corps becomes involved with the planning, construction, and operation of hydropower projects when it is <br />impractical for non-Federal interests to do so. Today, the more than 20,000 megawaus of capacity at <br />Corps-operated power plants provide approximately 30 percent of the Nation's hydroelectric power, or 3.5 <br />percent of its total electric energy supply. <br /> <br />WATER SUPPLY <br /> <br />The Water Supply Act of 1958 authorized the Corps to provide additional storage in its reservoirs for <br />municipal and industrial water supply at the request of local interests, provided those interests agree to pay the <br /> <br />11 <br /> <br />,. <br />