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BOOK 103 FACE I thought it prudent to secure this funding last year in order to ensure that, should the county decide to move forward with the project, the federal match for the I'BD phase is available. Should the county decide to move forward with the project this year and avail itself of this funding, the project will not be placed on the deauthorization list. However, it is my understanding that should the county not act or decide not to utilize this funding, the project will be placed on the list for deauthorization, essentially forfeiting the funding for Indian River County. This is ultimately your decision. Additionally, I am working to secure language in the 1999 Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) to extend the authorimon of the project for an additional four years. This is an effort to ensure that the county has additional time to decide exactly how to proceed. There is no certainty, however, that this language will be included in the WRDA bill. Finally, I would like to make sure that you are aware of some facts as you consider federal participation for this pmjeet. Fending, in general, for heach renourishment projects has become increasingly scarce. The Clinton -Gore Administration has been a vigorous opponent of beach renourishmentpprroojects and has implemented a policy of nn funding for such projec us. This has made funding difficult for projects even where there is a federal mitigation component, lie the project just to your north in Brevard County Additionally, the Administratinn is prnrnsing that should the federal government resume funding for beach renourishment projects at some point in the future, the state and local governments should bear a larger share of the costs, approximately two -thuds. Because there is no federal mitigation in Indian River, arguing for federal funding is more difficult. So you can see that securing federal dollars for this project will at best challenging. Nonetheless, I look forward to working with you as you pursue your priorities. I also look forward to meeting with you and discussing the county's deliberations on the beach renourishment issue and other issues of importance to the residents of Indian River County. ly, �- ve Weldon Member of Congress All Commissioners Chairman Macht called the meeting to order and introduced Congressman Dave Weldon. Congressman Dave Weldon apologized for the last minute nature of the meeting and noted that his schedule is frequently unpredictable, making it difficult to schedule meetings in advance. He gave a brief presentation regarding this year's Congressional budget, particularly with regard to social security and medicare issues and noted that the Kosovo military situation has already cost the nation 2 billion dollars which was not budgeted. Congressman Weldon continued that he has secured $1001000 from last year's funding for Preconstruction, Engineering and Design (PED) regarding Indian River County beach renourishment projects in order to keep the projects authorized. If the funds are not spent, the projects will move into the " deauthorized" list. APRIL, 9, 1999 .Z_ 0