Funding secured for Presque Isle Beach nourishment with construction already underway
A total of $3 million, comprising $1.5 million in federal funds and $1.5 million in non-federal funds, has been secured for fall 2026 and spring 2027 beach nourishment and sand stockpiling at Presque Isle State Park.
Advancing the Army's “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” (BINP) initiative, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District awarded a three-year single-award task order contract (SATOC) to Natrona, Pennsylvania-based Green World Contracting. The $1.5 million in federal funding was reprogrammed to rapidly deploy resources into critical Civil Works infrastructure.
- $3M in federal and state funds secured for beach nourishment.
- Construction already underway, placing 30,000 cubic yards of sand in targeted areas at four beaches and Mill Road.
- Presque Isle Peninsula protects Erie Harbor, which handles close to one million tons of cargo annually, supporting nearly $34 million in economic impact and more than 100 jobs.
- Photos, B-roll & video available https://www.flickr.com/photos/buffalousace/albums/72177720302653759/.
“Presque Isle Beach is a national treasure that is vital to America's prosperity," said Lee Forsgren, senior official performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “This project puts our Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork commitment into action by protecting Erie Harbor, sustaining safe navigation and keeping commerce moving across the Great Lakes. Investing in this beach also helps preserve the tourism that is essential to the region’s economy.”
“With $3 million in total funding secured and a three-year contract in place, the Buffalo District is focused on rapid delivery,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Anderson, USACE Buffalo District commander. “Our priority under BINP is getting equipment on-site and sand placed where it is needed most to protect Presque Isle Peninsula and keep Erie Harbor’s navigation channel open before winter weather arrives.” The volume of sand required was determined during the Buffalo District's spring beach inspection in April 2026, targeting zones most vulnerable to erosion to ensure shoreline stability.
Under the contract's initial task order, approximately 30,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed in targeted areas at Beaches 5, 6, 7 and 10, as well as Mill Road.
Work began Sept. 14 and is scheduled to conclude for the fall by November 2026. Replenishment of the park’s sand stockpile is planned to take place during the winter to prepare for continued nourishment in 2027.
The multiyear SATOC structure eliminates annual contracting paperwork friction, accelerating delivery for future nourishment cycles, pending funding availability.
The nearly seven-mile-long, 3,200-acre Presque Isle Peninsula forms a natural breakwater protecting the shipping channel at Erie Harbor, a critical regional economic engine. In 2023, Erie's commercial harbor handled 977,000 tons of cargo—primarily limestone (64%), sand and gravel (23%), and road salt (6%)—supporting nearly $27 million in business revenue, over $6.6 million in labor income, and 101 transportation sector jobs.
Photos, B-roll and video are available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/buffalousace/albums/72177720302653759/
The Buffalo District delivers world-class engineering solutions to the Great Lakes Region, the Army and the Nation to ensure national security, environmental sustainability, water resource management, and emergency assistance during peace and war. Learn more at http://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/buffalo.
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