the Federal Government paid 50 percent of the cost and the local pohtical entity involved 

 paid the other 50 percent, had been an integral part of the agency's activity. It reflected, in 

 part, the emphasis on State participation in beach erosion problems, common in the earlier 

 days. But as of the passage of Public Law 874, all studies of coastal areas were to be 

 financed completely by the Federal Government. The Corps of Engineers' investigation of 

 shore protection problems was thus placed on a basis similar to that of flood control and 

 navigation problems. 



Public Law 874 contained several other Federal cost-sharing provisions pertaining to 

 sliore protection which are not discussed here. However, these provisions, as well as those 

 mentioned, reflect the changing and more complex role of the Federal Government in 

 matters concerning the care and protection of tlie Nation's coastline. 



d. Stages and Trends Since 1930. In retrospect, it is possible to identify five stages of 

 development and change during the life of the BEB. Stage one was the period of the 1930's. 

 During these years the BEB's function was largely as an advisor to the States with coastal 

 erosion problems. Cooperative beach erosion studies with State agencies were financed on a 

 50-50 basis, with the BEB staff writing the reports. Research work was undertaken but 

 remained limited. Operating budgets were small, the staff was small, and the seven Board 

 members actively participated in all aspects of agency activities. After 1936, there was 

 Federal money made available for construction of shore protection structures but only 

 where Federal interests were involved. 



Stage two included the years of World War II. The BEB's primary function was made 

 secondary in order that the wartime needs of the Nation could be met. Many new people 

 participated in the war program and brought with them new ideas, new problems, and a new 

 outlook. Moreover, the internationalism of shore interests was greatly enhanced. 



The postwar 1940's constituted stage three. Research was emphasized, as well as 

 officially recognized. The BEB staff and office facilities on the Dalecarlia Reservation were 

 expanded. Contracts for research were let to several leading educational institutions. 

 Although cooperative beach erosion studies with State agencies were continued, report 

 preparation was transferred to the Corps' District offices. Federal financing became available 

 for up to one-third the cost of construction of shore protection structures at public beaches. 

 These years of vigOr, enthusiasm, and expansion were a key period in the agency's history. 



Stage four was the decade of the 1950's. The Coastal Engineering Conferences were 

 begun, and the internationalism of the field continued to expand. The BEB's research 

 program received a big impetus with the completion of the shore processes test basin and 

 the 635-foot-long wave tank. Beach Erosion Board Technical Report No. 4 was published. 

 Techniques for shore protection oriented more toward natural beach processes were refined 

 and their application encouraged. Military beach intelligence became, in terms of number of 

 personnel, the agency's largest division. The hurricane work brought new investigatory 

 responsibihties to the BEB staff, and resulted in dual report review for the BEB and the 

 BERH by requiring that they both examine the same reports. 



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