The Beach Erosion Board concurred generally in the conclusions of the 
Division Engineer that either the groin extension plan or the new groin 
plan would be a practicable plan of improvement for Rodney French Boulevard 
West Beach, and that either planis amply justified by prospective benefits. 
However, the Board noted that the State expressed a preference for the 
groin extension plan. As that plan would provide greater beach area and 
additional benefits, making the greater cost of the plan incrementally 
justified, the Board concurred in the State's preference for that plan, and 
recommended adoption of a project by the United States authorizing Federal 
participation by the contribution of Federal funds in amount of one-third 
of the first costs of measures for the restoration and protection of the 
publicly owned shore at Rodney French Boulevard West Beach, New Bedford, 
Massachusetts, substantially in accordance with the groin extension plan 
of the Division Engineer, with such modifications thereof as may be con- 
sidered advisable by the Chief of Engineers. The recommended plan comprises 
widening approximately 1,600 feet of beach to a minimum width of 100 feet 
by direct placement of suitable sand fill, raising the inshore end of the 
existing groin at Dudley Street, and extending two existing groins. The 
Chief of Engineers concurred in the views and recommendations of the Beach 
Erosion Board. 
HILLS BEACH, BIDDEFORD, MAINE 
The purpose of the investigation was to determine the best method of 
restoration of protective and recreational beaches and protection of shore 
property. Biddeford is located on Saco River in the northeast part of 
York County, Maine. It has a permanent population of nearly 20,000 and 
a somewhat greater summer population. Saco River empties into the south 
end of Saco Bay, which is about 7 miles in length and has a maximum width 
of 3 miles. Hills Beach is privately owned. It is developed with about 
200 cottages, some of which are used as year-round residences. Hills Beach 
lies immediately south of the jettied mouth of Saco River. The study area 
extends about 14 miles in a general southeasterly direction from the mouth 
of Saco River to the entrance to The Pool. The area is a low sandy barrier 
beach from 200 to 1,000 feet wide between Saco Bay and The Pool. The tides 
at Hills Beach are semi-diurnal. At Wood Island Harbor, just east of the 
beach, the mean and spring ranges are respectively 8.7 and 9.9 feet. Waves 
affecting the Hills Beach shore approach from between east and northeast 
and cause littoral drift principally toward the northwest across the Saco 
River south jetty. The problem is erosion and loss of the protective beach 
thus exposing the development to storm wave attack. This erosion has re- 
sulted in extensive damages to seawalls and bulkheads previously constructed 
by local interests to protect upland property. 
The Division Engineer developed plans for protecting the shore of the 
problem area. He concluded that widening approximately 5,400 feet of beach 
by direct placement of sand fill and raising 700 feet of the inshore end of 
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