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By Joan Pope
The decade from 1956 to 1965 marked a period of transition and modernization for the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA). As the nation’s coasts faced new pressures from development and environmental change, ASBPA helped guide the evolution of coastal protection policy, scientific research, and public engagement.
Expanding Federal Assistance and Policy Innovation
In 1956, Public Law 826, 84th Congress, extended federal assistance to the protection of privately owned shores, provided there was a public benefit—such as public use or the protection of nearby public property. The federal contribution was adjusted according to the degree of such benefits, reflecting a more nuanced approach to coastal management and the recognition that private and public interests are often intertwined.
By 1962, Public Law 87-874 further liberalized previous legislation, increasing authorized federal assistance from one-third to one-half for publicly owned shores, and to one-half (adjusted as before) for privately owned shores. Federal assistance of up to 70 percent was authorized for parks and conservation areas meeting certain criteria. Importantly, investigations of shore problems could now be conducted entirely at federal expense, rather than on a cooperative basis as had been the norm.
Organizational Changes and Scientific Progress
In 1963, Congressional action abolished the Beach Erosion Board. Its research function was assigned to the newly created Coastal Engineering Research Center (CERC), while its function of reviewing reports on erosion problems for specific shore areas was transferred to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, which had long overseen reports on navigation improvements, flood control, and hurricane protection.
This period also saw ASBPA transition to a more scientific focus. The journal Shore & Beach began publishing semi-annually, with one issue each year dedicated to reporting on the Association’s Annual Meeting. By 1962, the journal’s format had shifted from public policy and planning to articles focused on coastal science, marking the transition to a modern coastal engineering journal.
Technical Advances and National Leadership
During this decade, ASBPA and its members contributed to significant technical advances, including tracing beach movement with fluorescent sand, experimental dune building, and research on tidal datums and Great Lakes water levels. The construction of a 635-foot wave tank at the Beach Erosion Board and the publication of influential papers on coastal processes underscored the Association’s commitment to scientific innovation.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy called on Congress to establish seashores and shoreline areas for public use and enjoyment, launching the National Shoreline program and preserving natural coastal treasures for future generations. The devastating Ash Wednesday Northeaster of March 1962 highlighted the vulnerability of the nation’s beaches and the importance of ongoing research and policy development.
Ash Wednesday, March, Northeaster lasted 5 high tides over 3 days, devastating beaches throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
The years 1956 to 1965 were a time of transformation for ASBPA and for coastal management in the United States. Through expanded federal assistance, organizational innovation, and scientific progress, ASBPA helped lay the foundation for the modern era of coastal protection—ensuring that America’s beaches would remain resilient, accessible, and protected for generations to come.