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Washington, DC -- U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Wednesday issued the following statement concerning the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioner’s unanimous decision to allocate funds to hire a full-time Army Corps of Engineers employee. A full-time Army Corps of Engineers employee will help expedite a number of critical beach erosion projects that have been awaiting federal approval.
“I am grateful that the Palm Beach County Commission voted unanimously to pay for a full-time Army Corps of Engineers employee. This individual will be solely focused on projects in Palm Beach County that desperately need permitting approval from the Federal and State government. Too often, critical projects such as the Singer Island Erosion Control Project and the Reach 8 Beach and Dune Restoration Project have become bogged down by applications and studies that take too long to be process. The county’s actions are in response to the fact that there are a vast number of Army-Corps related projects in the county, and the Corps is understaffed. By having a person focus solely on Palm Beach’s projects, we’ll hopefully be able to shave off precious months -- if not years -- from the lengthy permitting process so that these critical projects can get started as soon as possible.
“I applaud the Commission’s decision -- a great example of the county, state, and federal government working together to move these projects ahead. Time is of the essence, and I am grateful that all levels of government are working together and identifying solutions to combat beach erosion. The erosion that’s tearing away at our beaches won’t wait until permits are issued. We’ve got to do all we can to protect South Florida’s precious shoreline and I look forward to working with the new Army Corps employee to make sure that the permitting process runs as efficiently and judiciously as possible.”
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