Lee County might not get the all the federal funding for beach renourishment it was hoping for.

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved a major cut in renourishment funding last week. The projects replace eroded shorelines and sandy beaches—washed away by wind and waves. Under the proposed bill, Lee would still get $750,000 to help restore its beaches…but that’s less than a third of what county officials are hoping for. Marine engineering manager with Lee County’s Natural Resources Division Steve Boutel says any federal funding is good news.

“Even if we come out at the end of this process with $750,000 it’s still a success from our perspective. When you look at how difficult it is to secure any federal funding...for beach projects right now in particular, that’s something that we consider to be a very positive result of a lot of hard work from people here at the county, and those in Washington working on our behalf.”

The $750,000 must still get approval from the full House. Then, the Senate will begin discussion on its version in June.