surface, and savings in automobile travel justify the work. He concluded that 
since the shore to be improved and protected is publicly owned, Federal par- 
ticipation to the extent of one-third of the cost of the groin construction 
would be justified. 
After reviewing the report of the district engineer, the State Lands 
Commission indicated its belief that a statement regarding ownership of land 
in the report was adverse to the interest of the State of California. In 
that connection, the Beach Erosion Board stated its position that nothing in 
the report, or in any action taken with respect thereto, should prejudice in 
any way the respective claims of the United States and the State of California 
in regard to the status, as open sea or inland waters, of that portion of 
the submerged lands to be filled as a result of the construction of the 
project, that question then being one of the matters before the Supreme Court 
in pending supplemental proceedings in the case of the United States v. 
State of California, No. 1], Original. 
In accordance with existing statutory requirements, the Beach Hrosion 
Board stated its opinion thats 
a. It is advisable for the United States to adopt a project 
authorizing Federal participation in the cost of shore protection at Ventura, 
California; 
b. The entire interest involved in the proposed protective measures 
is public. It is associated with increased earning power of public property, 
new public property created, sayings in automobile travel and unevaluated 
welfare benefits to the general public; 
¢. The share of the expense which should be borne by the United 
States is one-third of the first cost of the recommended groin construction. 
The Federal share was estimated at $53,150. 
The Beach Erosion Board recommended that a project be adopted by the 
United States authorizing Federal participation by the contribution of Federal 
funds in an amount equal to one=third of the cost of construction of 3 groins fo: 
the protection of the shore at Ventura, California, substantially in accordance 
With the plan developed by the district engineer, the initial construction to 
consist of one groin, the other two to be deferred pending demonstration of 
the need thereof. Federal participation was recommended subject to the con- 
ditions that responsible local interests wills 
a. Adopt the foregoing plan of protection; 
b. Assure maintenance of the protective groins during their use- 
ful life, as may be required te serve their intended purpose; 
ec. Provide at their own expense all necessary lands, easements, 
and rights-of-way required for construction; 
49 
