Beach Erosion Board facts for kids

The Beach Erosion Board (BEB) was a special group in the United States government. It worked under the U.S. Army and was part of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which helps manage water projects. The BEB had seven members and a team of staff. It existed for 33 years, from July 1930 until it was closed in November 1963.

What Was the Beach Erosion Board?

The Beach Erosion Board, or BEB, was a federal board. This means it was a group created by the national government. It was part of the War Department, which later became the Department of Defense. Its main job was to help the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with their civil works programs. These programs often involve building and maintaining things like dams, canals, and coastal protections.

What Did the BEB Do?

The BEB's main task was to look at reports about erosion. Erosion is when natural forces like waves and currents wear away land, especially along beaches and lake shores. The Board would review these reports to find ways to protect shores from being washed away. They also looked for ways to stop erosion from happening in the first place.

Why Was the BEB Created?

The BEB was set up because of a law passed on July 3, 1930. This law, called Public Law 520, allowed the Chief of Engineers for the U.S. Army to work with different states. Their goal was to study and find good ways to stop waves and currents from eroding beaches and lake shores.

However, there was a rule about funding. The federal government would only spend money on these projects if the state also helped out. States had to provide their own money or services for the project. This made sure that states were also invested in protecting their own coastlines.

What Happened to the BEB?

In November 1963, the Beach Erosion Board was officially closed down. Its responsibilities were split and given to two new groups. Some of its duties went to the Coastal Engineering Research Center. This new center focused on research related to coastal engineering. Other duties were given to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors.

Later, in 1992, the responsibilities of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors were also moved. They were given to other parts of the Department of the Army. This was done to make sure that the important work of protecting coasts and waterways continued efficiently.