---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 426a"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "426a"
heading: "Additional investigations concerning erosion of shores of coastal and lake waters; payment of costs; “shores” defined"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/426a"
units:
  - "Chapter 9 — Protection of Navigable Waters and of Harbor and River Improvements Generally"
  - "Subchapter I — In General"
---

# §426a. Additional investigations concerning erosion of shores of coastal and lake waters; payment of costs; “shores” defined


In addition to participating in cooperative investigations and studies with agencies of the various States as authorized in [section 426 of this title](/usc/33/426.md), it shall be the duty of the Chief of Engineers, through the Coastal Engineering Research Center, to make general investigations with a view to preventing erosion of the [shores](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=4) of the United States by waves and currents and determining the most suitable methods for the protection, restoration, and development of beaches; and to publish from time to time such useful data and information concerning the erosion and protection of beaches and [shore](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=4) lines as the Center may deem to be of value to the people of the United States. The cost of the general investigations authorized by sections 426a to [426d](/usc/33/426d.md) of this title shall be borne wholly by the United States. As used in said sections, the word “[shores](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=4)” includes the [shore](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=4) lines of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, and estuaries and bays directly connected therewith.


## Source credit

(July 31, 1945, ch. 334, § 1, 59 Stat. 508; Pub. L. 88–172, § 1, Nov. 7, 1963, 77 Stat. 304.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Coastal Engineering Research Center has been substituted for Beach Erosion Board pursuant to Pub. L. 88–172, § 1, providing in part for the abolition of the Beach Erosion Board, which is set out as a note under section 426 of this title. For transfer of investigatory functions of the Beach Erosion Board to the Coastal Engineering Research Center, see section 426–1 of this title.