Relative to the Salisbury Beach Preservation Trust Fund
Impact
If passed, the bill proposes financial amendments to the existing trust fund, increasing the fee collected under the fund from $3 to $4 and ensuring that all revenues are retained within the fund for specific uses. These uses include acquiring sand for restoration projects, installing dune stabilization plants, and funding beach nourishment initiatives as well as supporting local and state matching funds for coastal resilience projects. The bill aims to enhance state support for maintaining vital coastal infrastructures.
Summary
Bill S663 is an act relative to the Salisbury Beach Preservation Trust Fund, proposed by Bruce E. Tarr. This legislation is focused on the preservation and stabilization of the Salisbury Beach dune and beach system, which includes both public and private properties. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining and restoring the natural barriers that protect the shoreline against erosion and other environmental threats.
Contention
One key aspect of S663 is its provision for the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to review the fees every three years and adjust them according to inflation. It also mandates DCR to compile and publish an annual report detailing the financial status of the trust fund, including summary data on projects undertaken, expenditures made, and traffic data for visitors. Additionally, DCR is tasked with updating the Barrier Beach Management Plan biennially, which can spark discussions regarding funding priorities and the long-term vision for the area's ecological management.