A CHRONOLOGY OF THE AMERICAN SHORE AND BEACH ASSOCIATION AND THE AMERICAN COASTAL COALITION
Compiled by Anthony P. Pratt
ASBPA Director
ACC Director

1926 - ASBPA founded. The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association was founded in 1926 by individuals who recognized the need for an organized effort to combat erosion, a serious problem in many coastal areas. Experience had shown that long stretches of shore were affected, making protective efforts by individual property owners or small communities futile. The expertise required to design comprehensive programs of protection was largely lacking. In bygone days, the needs of navigation were regarded as paramount and there was no redress available for damages to adjacent shores by navigation works.

The founding members of the Association were active in persuading the Congress to enact legislation authorizing Federal sharing of the cost, first of erosion studies of specific problem areas and, later, of project works. Then, as now, this required data collection, research on coastal processes, and the development and the use of
analytical techniques and hydraulic models (and, today, numerical models as well).

The formation of the ASBPA followed a string of events in the 1920’s that appears to have begun in New Jersey in 1922 . The New Jersey legislature funded an investigation into beach erosion problems in that state. This investigation involved the federal government, and in response to this involvement Congress passed
Public Law 71-250 which eventually resulted in the Corps creating the Beach Erosion Board . Apparently associated with these actions was also the National Research Council formation of the Committee on Shoreline Investigation in 1926 . This committee made recommendations that led to New Jersey Governor A. Harry
Moore inviting the governors of the coastal states of the Atlantic and Great Lakes shoreline to meet in Asbury Park, NJ on October 14 and 15, 1926 to meet about beach problems. That meeting was attended by 85 delegates who decided that a national organization should be formed. An Executive Committee met soon after in
Norfolk, VA and a constitution and bylaws were drawn up. The first headquarters of this new Association was in the National Research Council headquarters in Washington, DC. The Association was incorporated in 1933.

1926-1953 - J. Spencer Smith, one of the original founders of ASBPA serves as President.

1933 – Shore and Beach begins publication. Shore & Beach, the journal of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, spans seven decades documenting our coast since the first issue appeared in October 1933. By the end of year 2000, 68 volumes had been published in 201 issues. Articles appearing in Shore & Beach predate the development of modern coastal engineering and
science which emerged in the 1950’s and constitutes a valuable resource of the state of the nation’s beaches, progress in understanding the science, engineering case studies, law of the coast, and planning, policy, and environmental issues. (From the
ASBPA website.)

This was also the year that ASBPA incorporated as public, non-profit organization under the laws of New Jersey . The Association was very politically active and, according to Peter Gannon in Shore and Beach , “…its members were successful in
having legislation passed over the years, in the following sequence:

1. In 1930 the Corps of Engineers was authorized to cooperate with State agencies in studying shore erosion problems for specific localities and to create a Board of seven members which would review the reports of those studies. The Board was named the
Beach Erosion Board.

2. 2. Recognizing that works designed to improve navigation facilities at river mouths and inlets, in 1935 Congress required that reports concerning improvements of river mouths or inlets include a discussion of the probable effects of such improvements on adjacent shorelines for a distance of not less than 10 miles on each side of
such entrance.

3. In 1936, the Association supported a measure known as U.S. Beach Improvement and Protection Act which was passed by Congress and approved by the President on June 26, 1936. This Act established the policy of Federal assistance where federal
interests are involved for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the healthful recreation of the people; assigns the investigation of the projects to the Beach Erosion Board, under the Corps of Engineers, and directed that Board to recommend what share of expense should be borne by the Federal Government.

4. During this period the association was also instrumental in having the National Congress include shore protection works among the projects that might benefit under the Public Works Administration and Works Project Administration.

5. Public Law 166, 79th Congress, approved July 31, 1945 authorized “general investigations” of erosion of the shores of the United States, the results of such investigations at Federal expense could be utilized in cooperative studies with local agencies.

6. Public Law 727, 79th Congress, approved August 13, 1946 authorized Federal financial participation not to exceed 1/3 of the cost of protecting property “owned by States, Municipalities, or other political subdivisions.”

7. In 1955 Congress enacted Public Law 71, 84th Congress which directed the Corps of Engineers to investigate Atlantic and Gulf shores of the United States with a view to determining measures which could be undertaken to reduce damage from hurricanes.

8. In 1956 Public Law 826, 84th Congress, extended Federal assistance to protection of privately owned shores if there is benefit such as that arising from public use or from protection of nearby public property, the federal contribution to be adjusted in
accordance with the degree of such benefits.

9. In 1962 Public Law 87-874 further liberalized Public law 727,79th Congress. The authorized Federal assistance was increased from one-third to one-half for publicly owned shores and to one-half adjusted as previously for privately owned shores. Federal assistance of 70 percent for parks conservation areas meeting
certain criteria was authorized. In addition investigations of shore problems entirely at Federal expense, rather than on a cooperative basis as heretofore, were authorized.

10. In 1963 the Beach Erosion Board was abolished by Congressional action. Its research function was assigned to the newly created Coastal Engineering Research Center and its function of review of reports of investigation of erosion problems for specific shore areas was transferred to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and
Harbors which has long had the review function for reports on navigation improvements, flood control and hurricane protection.

11. In further recognition of the damaging effects of certain navigation improvements on adjacent shores, in 1968 Congress authorized the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to investigate study and construct projects for the
prevention or mitigation of shore damages attributable to Federal navigation works. The costs of installing, operating, and maintaining such projects are to be borne by the United States.

So it required a tedious, deliberate twenty years (1926-1946) effort and perhaps the tenacity of one man-J. Spencer Smith-to bring about the initial advance in a relatively new science-beach preservation and Federal assistance in construction protective
measures.” (Emphasis added.)

J. Spencer Smith served as President of ASBPA from 1926 to 1953. As cited above his tenure marked a politically active era. He was followed as President by Admiral Leo Otis Colbert, Ret., from 1954 to 1958 and then Major General Charles Holle, Ret. from 1959 to 1972, followed by Prof. Morrough P. O’Brien from 1972 to 1983,
Orville T. Magoon from 1983 to 1994, and Gregory Woodell from 1994 to 2003.

1995 - Clinton Administration announces plans to reduce the Corps’ budget by $800 million. The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Martin Lancaster, announces in February that the Administration is eliminating the Corps involvement in shoreline protection and storm damage reduction projects. This action begins
a chain of events that changed the ASBPA and caused the formation of the ACC. In the July 1995 Shore and Beach , President Gregory Woodell announces a new coalition called“SAVE AMERICA’S BEACHES”. This group was formed with the cooperative effort of ASBPA and Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association. In his message, a response to the Administration’s announced budget cuts, President Woodell states,” This would be disastrous to the shorelines of this country and is
without doubt the worst political situation to develop since the foundation of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association in the sixty years of its existence.

So once again we must step up to the plate to educate our legislators to make sure this proposed cut is defeated. Accordingly, ASBPA, in cooperation with the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association have formed a national coalition of coastal
states, counties, towns, homeowners groups, and individuals to inform our Congressional Representatives and Senators of the value of our national coastlines to the environmental, economic and recreational policies of this great nation.”
Photos in that Shore and Beach issue show President Woodell at the California Marine and Navigation Conference, Golden State reception with Howard Marlowe of Marlowe & Company as the lobbyist for Save America’s Beaches. President Woodell is Chairman of the new group and ASBPA Vice President Kenneth Smith is Secretary of the new group. President Woodell sent a letter to President Clinton on October 25,
1995 voicing the concern of ASBPA over his decision to remove the Corps from shore and storm damage reduction work.

The ASBPA Board met in San Diego on November 14, 1995. The minutes of that meeting include a discussion centered on fund raising for the organization; Gerard Stoddard observed that “ASBPA is focused primarily on engineering and academic issues”. Later in that meeting President Woodell introduced Howard Marlowe who
spoke to the Directors about his lobbying efforts on behalf of beaches. Mr. Marlowe advocated the development of ad-hoc coalitions possibly through chambers of commerce and local officials.

1996 - Greg Woodell set up a meeting with Howard Marlowe for ASBPA directors. Those meeting with Howard in D.C. included President Woodell, Directors Tom Campbell, Bob Dean, Ken Smith, Gerry Stoddard, Tony Pratt, and Kerry Kehoe from the Coastal States Organization. It was President Woodell’s desire for those that could attend the meeting to discuss with Howard the best way to galvanize action against the administration’s proposed zeroing out of funding for beach restoration and protection projects. At that time, ASBPA felt constrained in the lobbying area but a strong voice in Washington was needed. Howard proposed to those at the
meeting that a new group be formed to concentrate on lobbying for continued federal involvement in beach restoration. The new group was initially called Coastal America, but the name was changed to the American Coastal Coalition when it was discovered that there was another group already named Coastal America.

On March 29, 1996 Howard Marlowe wrote to Greg Woodell, Stan Tait, and others with a proposal to establish a formal organization. He wrote, “This will be a national coalition of governmental entities, governmental officials, business people, academics, national and regional interest groups and advocacy organizations, property owners’ associations, individual coastal community residents, and
others. Its mission will be to preserve the role of the federal government in shore protection, support policies and programs which promote travel and tourism to coastal regions of the United States, foster public understanding of the importance of well maintained beaches to the national economy and national disaster
protection policy, and support those initiatives which achieve those objectives in an environmentally and fiscally sound manner. The Coalition will serve as the liaison with the House and Senate coastal caucuses as well as with the other Members of Congress, Executive Branch officials, and other allied private sector interests.
Coastal America will begin operations no later than April 15, 1996.”

Howard went on in the letter describing setting up an interim Board of Directors, the incorporation schedule and a proposed fee structure. The American Coastal Coalition began on May 1, 1996 with Howard Marlowe serving as President.

One of the first thing the new ACC took on was endorsement of the Shore Protection Act of 1996 which kept the federal government involved in shore protection projects and added economic and ecological benefits to the list of things to consider when judging a project.

Also, in 1996, Stan Tait of FSBPA extended an invitation to state beach preservation managers from around the country to be on a panel at the January 1997 National Conference on Beach Preservation Technology . He asked the panel members to share information about their beach preservation practices, projects and
funding methods. He also suggested that, “Perhaps this meeting of state coastal officials could result in the creation of an informal organization of such officials who could keep in touch with each other in the years ahead. We will try to create such an organization at the January conference.”

At the December 13, 1996 ACC Board of Directors conference call meeting, it was shown on the budget sheet for the year (January 1,1996 through December 13, 1996) that the organization was $92, 337.54 in debt. The ACC had raised $20,000 that first year. The Directors discussed the shortfall but no remedy is reported in the minutes.

1997 - In the paperwork sent out by President Marlowe for the May 6, 1997 teleconference Board meeting, he noted that a focal point of the meeting would be a discussion of ACC’s financial status. The paperwork also provides a reflection of the fact that ACC had been very busy its first year in getting shore protection into discussion in the Administration as well as in Congress.

The meeting minutes report that a pledge was made for each Board member to raise $2,500 in the next 60 days. This money was to be used to hire a professional fund raiser.

President Woodell sent out an ASBPA Year End Report on December 19, 1997. Within that report he discusses lobbying and the ASBPA. It says:
“LOBBYING This has been a source of concern at Board meetings for years.
There are specific federal laws which ASBPA executive committee has reviewed a number of times with out accountant, as well as Directors Peter Graber and Kathryn Stony. (An unofficial definition of lobbying). Lobbying, is attempting to influence, through education, the direction a government official or decision maker, will
take on a lobbying involved issue. This is legal for a 501(c)3 . Further, spending gross annual income, whether in cash to pay a professional lobbyist to present the organizations views on a certain subject to reach a government agency or in the form of postage stamps to send out letters to 50 senators and members of
Congress (example). It is not illegal and expected that a nonprofit will lobby in one form or another. Where the organization must be careful is in the amount of funds they spend in this type of activity per year. It becomes illegal when the organization exceeds 20% of its annual gross income. These costs are monitored and reported
to the ASBPA business manager and to the IRS at the end of the year, to prevent the organization from exceeding those amounts. In our case, we would have to spend approximately $16,000 a year to exceed our limit, based on our current budget. ASBPA would have to stop publishing the journal to have that kind of extra cash.
Therefore, this is not a concern, at least not within the next three years of my term.

With that said, I see the American Coastal Coalition (ACC), a federally approved special interest group, as the national organization that is keeping an eye on things in Washington and it has done an excellent job since its inception three years ago.
Howard Marlowe, President, ACC, has been attending our national and local conferences since I met him in Washington, D.C., to discuss lobbying for coastal interests. When I realized that ASBPA couldn’t achieve the elements necessary to lobby, Mr. Marlowe formed ACC. In three short years, ACC has been largely
responsible for the creation of seriously needed groups on the hill such as the Senate Coastal Coalition (SCC) and the Congressional Coastal Coalition (CCC). ACC was the co-author and a major force behind the passage of the 1996 Shoreline Protection Act, and is currently working for the passage of a national shoreline protection policy. This all costs money, and as a director on the ACC board, I
am aware that the organization is in the red. Therefore, knowing ASBPA made a profit on our conference this year and can afford the funds, I am authorizing a $500 membership payment to ACC for 1998. CSBPA has also authorized such a payment and I would encourage our GLSBPA and NSBPA chapters to do likewise with
an amount they feel they can afford, not to exceed $500. If the three chapters do join, as well as the national, we will be $14,000 under our limit. I would also encourage the ASBPA directors to join as a personal member. We have long needed such an organization and we must encourage its growth. I am also considering
nominating Mr. Marlowe for the empty seat on our board. I will be talking with him about it next week.”

1998 & 1999 - Funding continues to be a problem for ACC while the organization continues to develop as a credible voice in Washington. In October of 1999, President Howard Marlowe sent out a memorandum to ACC Board members. In it he says, “A year ago, the Board voted to compensate Marlowe & Company $3,000 a
month for the last quarter of 1998 and $5,000 a month for 1999. Commitments were also made by Board officers and members regarding raising funds to pay for the operating costs of the organization, including the management fee” He goes on to say, “In reality, the management fee has not increased from $3,000 to
$5,000 for 1999 because funds have not been available. In fact, no management fee has been paid for most months of this year.”

President Marlowe writes further in that memo:
“At its October 28th meeting, the Board must decide if Acc will continue to exist. That decision will only be meaningful if the Board also determines what the scope of our mission and activities should be and what individual Board members will do to raise the necessary funds to operate the organization.” He further discussed
funding and payments to Marlowe & Company, then concluded with,“Should the Board decide not to go forward, or cannot make a commitment to funding the organization; I will recommend a plan to terminate the services of Marlowe & Company to the ACC. I hope this will not be necessary and we can plan for another successful year for ACC in 2000.”

In the minutes of the ASBPA Board meeting of October 4, 1998, it states under the Legislative Report, “In Mr. Marlowe’s absence, the problems being encountered with the passage of WRDA ’98 was discussed. President Woodell stated that he had been working with Howard Marlowe and sent a fax to Speaker of the House Newt
Gingrich, requesting that he use his influence to get the WRDA ’98 bill passed this session.” In the minutes of the July 26, 1999 Board meeting, it states, “Howard Marlowe was not present to discuss the legislative report when it was scheduled. In his absence, President Woodell noted that the American Coastal Coalition still needs
letters of support for WRDA 1999. After discussions on scholarships, Howard Marlowe arrived at the meeting, noted that positive changes had been made to WRDAS in the past 30 days, due to the letters and strong efforts by ASBPA members.”

2000 - Howard Marlowe sent a memo to ACC Board members on July 21, 2000 advising them that, “As of October 30, 2000, Marlowe & Company will no longer perform administrative functions for the American Coastal Coalition. This is a business decision based on the significant demands which these functions have been placing on our personnel as well as the firm’s overhead costs.”
He continues in that memo to propose a restructuring of the ACC.“The essence of our restructuring proposal is to transform the American Coastal Coalition into a confederacy of state and regional beach restoration organizations combined with allied business interests. Marlowe & Company proposes to continue its role as the
ACC’s Washington lobbyist. The functions of administering the organization as well as disseminating information to its members and the public will be assumed by ACC’s member organizations.”

On November 22, 2000, Howard Marlowe sent a memo to the ACC Board in which he states:
“In September, I met ACC’s Chairman, Tom Campbell, and agreed to continue our functions through the end of the year if we received $15,000 by October 31st in addition to other funds which might come in from membership dues. The $15,000 was chosen because it represents a substantial portion of the fees ACC owed Marlowe & Company for services performed in 2000.

Unfortunately, only one-fifth of this amount has been received as of this date.

This memorandum is intended to provide the Board with notice that Marlowe & Company will cease all activities related to the American Coastal Coalition as of December 15, 2000. I appreciate the efforts which Tom Campbell and other Board members have made have made in recent weeks and trust that each of you will understand that I am making a necessary business decision.”

At the ASBPA Board meeting on August 6, 2000, in Hawaii, lobbying by the organization was discussed. The minutes state, “In an ensuing discussion regarding lobbying, Anne Woodell noted that it is OK to lobby provided it is in the by-laws. President Woodell added that a group can spend up to 20 percent of their revenue for
direct lobbying efforts. President Woodell further added that we would not be getting where we want to be without lobbying.” Later in those same minutes it says, “More discussion ensued regarding lobbying. President Woodell noted that the 501C3 status allows spending up to 20 percent of revenues for lobbying. Howard
Marlowe added that the 20 percent is a guideline. He added a group can do something called an “H election” whereby they can modify the percent allowed for lobbying. He further clarified that efforts such as mailings are not lobbying; they are advocacy. Lobbying consists of providing funds essentially to get someone elected.

Steve Aceti suggested that President Woodell should send a clarifying letter of groups with similar goals to assist in their decision whether to join ASBPA.

President Woodell asked the By-Laws subcommittee, chaired by George Domurat, to look into amending the by-laws to specify a specific percentage of revenue to be spent on lobbying. The effort will include research lobby laws and how much can be spent. Howard Marlowe and Steve Aceti agreed to assist in this effort.”

The minutes were sent to the Board Members with a cover letter from President Woodell dated September 11, 2000. in the letter he says under the title Coastal Advocacy, “A discussion was held on lobbying and the role it has played in what ASBPA was formed to do in 1926, if it has a role today, and if so, what. A subcommittee was formed with Steve Aceti, Howard Marlowe and myself. The
purpose of the subcommittee will be to review other non-profit organizations such as ourselves to determine what the potential lobbying policies should be. Once that is accomplished, we discussed adding a paragraph to the by-laws outlining the policy so that the non-profit cannot be endangered by exceeding the set limit.
This topic has come before our board many times over the years and has given some board members concern. As a first step, I am attaching a copy of an informational brochure on Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest. I believe that it clearly answers any questions that the board may have. A copy will be given to our accountant for
his advice and potential filing of form 5768/Election/Revocation of Election by an Eligible Section 501(c)(3) Organization to Make Expenditures to influence Legislation.”

2001 - The ACC Board met in Orlando, Florida on February 7, 2001 to begin the process of restructuring the ACC. The Board accepted the proposal of Gooderham Associates to handle the administration of the organization for a fee of $2,000 per month. Mack McLouth offered to draft a Request for Proposal for a lobbyist and Chairman Tom Campbell requested that Debbie Flack also wok on the RFP.

In May of 2001 the ACC and ASBPA held a joint conference in Washington, D.C. At this meeting both organizations held their Board meetings, at the same time in different rooms. The ACC Lobbyist Committee, comprised of Tom Campbell, Chair, Steve
Aceti, Debbie Flack, Tom Gagliano, Malcolm McLouth, and Mark Sickles, ranked Birch, Horton, Bitner &Cherot as the top firm of the three that responded to the RFP. The minutes state, “ A discussion of the process for selection initiated the report, and the committee’s choice of Birch Horton Bitner & Cherot was presented. There was a
motion to approval the recommendation (motion by Slater, second by Pratt). Then the Request for Proposal preparation, dissemination and ranking was explained. Discussion ensued on whether full board review was warranted, and whether Marlowe & Co. should be invited to revise its proposal. When the vote was called, the
recommendation was approved 11-4 (Stoddard, Higgins, Pagliughi, Sickles dissenting). The BHBC proposal will be made available to board members who wish to review the packet”

In an adjacent room the ACC was considering hiring Howard Marlowe as a lobbyist for that organization. From the minutes of that meeting:

“President Woodell raised the issue of hiring a lobbyist, noting that Howard Marlowe was hired in 1996 (to the American Coastal Coalition), with much of his work gratis. He added that Mr. Marlowe cannot continue in this fashion, noting that the ACC has not been self-supporting. He further added that the ACC has now been
re-vamped and has received three proposals for a new lobbyist, noting that Howard Marlowe would not likely be selected.

President Woodell asked that all Directors review Howard’s proposal to act as an advocate for ASBPA. He added that if we hire Howard in this role, Howard would have to resign from the Board due to conflict of interest, and dues would have to increase by 40%. Mr. Woodell noted his support for this action, noting Howard’s track
record, including (1) responsibility for Shore Protection Act of 1996; (2) policy for how Act is implemented; and (3) adding Recreation back into policy.

Nick Kraus indicated that the Association played a strong advocate/lobby role up to the 1950’s and then moved more toward science, adding that the Association has not historically been a scientific organization.

Ken Smith noted that Omar Lillievang had indicated in the past that the original mission of the Association was advocacy.

John Fisher questioned if we go back to Advocacy, then how de we proceed relative to the ACC.

Ken Smith added that Howard Marlowe was the heart and soul of the ACC, noting he knows the issues and has commitment.

Bob Dean noted he was concerned about having two lobbyists, i.e. ASBPA and ACC.

Kevin Bodge agreed with Bob Dean, noting he felt the new ACC firm may not be up to speed on the issues.

Kim Sterrett indicated that he had no problem with multiple lobbyists on the same issues.

President Woodell indicated that the dues would have to increase from $50/year to $85/year.

Kevin Bodge noted his firm will support groups that advocate for major beach funding.

President Woodell formed a committee to decide on the issue of hiring Howard Marlowe. The committee included Bodge, Dean, Smith and Gaffney. A report was requested in 60 days.”

The committee recommended that Howard Marlowe should be hired on a six month trial basis. This was done and in a December 24, 2001 letter from President Woodell to ASBPA Directors he recommends that the Executive Board confirm his recommendation to extend the contract with Howard Marlowe for one year.

The ACC Board had a conference call meeting on August 14, 2001. In the minutes of that meeting it states under Chairman’s report. “Campbell discussed the state of the association, noting the recent changes in organization, executive directors and lobbyist over the past six months. He said that while the lobbyist has been
getting his feet on the ground, they appeared to be turning the corner on a number of issues. The American Shore and Beach Association has hired Marlowe & Co. as lobbyist, who has been working parallel to ACC efforts. This has paid many good dividends so far and should be a positive addition to the program. This is
something the ACC should watch over time and coordinate as we can. In comments, Higgins agreed that the ACC was doing just fine, but that he was concerned with ASBPA’s parallel path and fearful the groups might be duplicating efforts. He called for more coordination on specific lobbying and positions. Campbell noted
more communication is occurring than we see. Flack said communication was fine, but that the bigger issue was Marlowe’s newness at this revised role. She could see a joining of the two groups some time in the future, a melding of the lobbying efforts.
Mosely noted the danger in putting all eggs in one basket. With two organizations, one won’t get on the blacklist at the same time. Campbell followed that this would allow us to lead with the group that is in favor. Higgins noted that, with many joint directors, the two groups are less likely to work at odds. Kate offered an update
on lobbying efforts, discussing the joint effort in lobbying the Office of Management and Budget, the ACC lobbyist summit on beaches held Aug.2, and the followup summit to be held Sept. 5. Campbell finished by saying the ACC and ASBPA should look for more opportunities to work together and that he was very pleased with
where the ACC was today.”

2002 - The ACC Board met on May 10, 2002 in Washington, D.C. In the discussion section under the Committee Reports; Legislative in the minutes of that meeting it states:
“Higgins: How are we doing up there? Is the ASBPA making inroads? Horn: No diminution of our status. Parallel track to Marlowe’s efforts, we’re up on the Hill talking to staff. Higgins: I’d like to see ACC act as the standard bearer rather than the new
guys. Horn: That’s a question of resources committee vs. time expended. More resources means more time can be spent on this. Time we donated was significant last year. Simmons: Discussed ASBPA legislative initiative. Horn: We’ll be happy to set sessions up whenever you’re in DC. We’ve been focusing on May to this
point. Simmons: I’m happy to join you in meetings. Campbell: Parallel action is helpful to overall program. Different bases are being touched, different styles being used. Try to get ACC mentioned in those meetings, report back to Bill, me or Kate on
these efforts. Simmons: Sometimes they don’t know the difference; we’re a bunch of people making our case”.

On September 15, 2002, the ASBPA Board met and discussed, among other things, the possible merger of ASBPA and ACC. The minutes of that discussion are as follows.

“Regarding the contract for Howard Marlowe, President Woodell noted that the association hired Mr. Marlowe’s firm for $2,000 per month. Dues were raised, and it was agreed to re-evaluate as we moved along. He added we feel ASBPA has gotten more than its money’s worth. He further added that he did not get around to
discussion with the executive committee, but decided to suspend the contract for financial reasons, and wanted to raise this issue for discussion. He noted that this is a cost that the association can’t afford at the moment. He added that it a monthly contract, it was suspended as of October 1, and can be reinstated.

Tom Campbell indicated that ACC is also interested in working with Howard Marlowe, noting he was having discussions with Greg Woodell regarding sharing the contract. He added that both groups have similar issues, and wanted to bring this up for discussion.

President Woodell responded that this issue raises the broader issue of the ASBPA-ACC merger, which is the next agenda topic, noting information on this was included in the Board’s information packet, consisting of a draft memo from Jerry Stoddard discussing the idea of a merger of the two organizations. President Woodell stated he felt this issue would best be handled by committee.

Steve Aceti asked if whether the Board could vote by email; if a committee was set up, could they vote by email; the issue being it would be awhile before another meeting.

Tom Campbell stated there were two issues - ASBPA needs to decide about how to proceed with Howard Marlowe’s contract due to financial struggles, and the ACC would like to share the contract to relieve financial pressure on ASBPA; the Board needs to decide if acceptable for Howard to work with ACC.

Joan Pope indicated she felt this was reasonable if goals of the organizations were the same.

Steve Aceti stated that he had been involved is ACC discussions, which triggered the idea. He noted that ACC was started because ASBPA decided lobbying was needed in Washington DC. In the mean time, ASBPA determined it was OK to lobby as ASBPA. If this was decided four years ago, there would be no ACC. Hence the present merger talks.

Tom Campbell stated he would like to establish consensus – can ACC hire Howard Marlowe so he keeps continuity to lobby for beaches – this would keep Howard Marlowe moving, and provide economic relief to ASBPA.

Tom Wilson questioned whether we had asked Howard if he wanted to do both?

Ken Smith stated he did not want to see a gap in Mr. Marlowe’s lobbying efforts, noting that time is critical.

Steve Aceti indicated a confusing signal may be sent if ACC hires Mr. Marlowe with no merger, such that he would now represent a different group which would be confusing in DC. Hence the need to address the merger now.

Jerry Stoddard stated that we don’t want a break in DC relations; agree with Steve Aceti that we need to decide before the end of the year.

Steve Aceti suggested that perhaps a letter between Presidents of ASBPA (Woodell) and Acc (Campbell) to agree to start to work together as two organizations and progress toward a possible merger.

Harry Simmons questioned whether ASBPA could extend the Marlowe contract to the end of the year with funding from ACC. Tom Kendall moved to continue the Marlowe contract contingent on receipt of $6,000 from ACC.

Tom Campbell indicated that ACC would want more identity with Mr. Marlowe’s efforts than just giving money to ASBPA.

Harry Simmons moved to extend the contract with Howard Marlowe to a month to month basis, and rescind the suspension letter for original Marlowe contract; Jerry Stoddard seconded.

Chris Webb stated he did not feel it was appropriate to proceed without the money.

The Board voted affirmatively to reinstate the contract to the end of the year.

President Woodell sated he wanted to form a committee to address the ASBPA/ACC merger issue. Those volunteering for the committee included: Jerry Stoddard, Tom Campbell, Steve Aceti, Harry Simmons, Ann Kuchlin, Tony Pratt, Joan Pope, Larry Paul, and Ken Smith. The Committee would be co-chaired by Messrs. Woodell and Campbell. The committee was scheduled to meet the following Tuesday morning (September 17) at 7:45 am in President Woodell’s suite.”

2003 - ACC switched its lobbying representation to Alcalde & Fay. At the May 16 2003 ACC Board Meeting in Washington, D.C., Board members discussed formalizing a relationship with ASBPA. The minutes state;
“Discussion ensued concerning the ACC affiliation Committee’s recommendation that a committee comprised of two ACC presidential nominees. Two ASBPA presidential nominees, and three joint nominees be appointed to make a recommendation on what direction the two organizations should go and how that will be accomplished. Tom Campbell asked board members who were
interested in being on the committee to contact him. Through individual and joint appointments, he also committed to appointing a mix.

Steve Aceti moved with Pam Slater seconding to reconfirm the committee’s recommendation. The motion was approved unanimously. It reads:

‘The American Coastal Coalition (ACC) Board of Directors agrees in principle to explore a formal relationship with the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA). The form of such relationship is yet to be determined, but all options allowed by pertinent law agree open to discussion including, but not limited to, affiliation or merger as those terms are defined in the Internal Revenue Code. One of the principle goals of this new relationship will be the combination of all lobbying efforts (that were previously handled separately by each organization) under one lobbyist representing national coastal interests. It is also critical that the 501(c) (3) status of ASBPA be maintained under any such relationship.

The ACC proposes that a joint ACC/ASBPA committee be formed to recommend an appropriate structure, scope of responsibilities, delineation of roles and board membership between the two organizations. For discussion, we propose that this committee be comprised of two members appointed by the ACC president, two
members appointed by the ASBPA president and three members appointed jointly by the ACC and ASBPA presidents from those members who serve on the boards of both organizations. This committee would be formed within 30 days of the approval of this proposal by the boards of both organizations, and it would investigate options, review pertinent documents and issue a joint report with findings and recommended action to both organizations within 120 days of the committee’s formation’”