33 U.S.C. § 426–1

There shall be established under the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, a Coastal Engineering Research Center which, except as hereinafter provided in section 426–3 of this title , shall be vested with all the functions of the Beach Erosion Board, including the authority to make general investigations as provided in section 426a of this title , and such additional functions as the Chief of Engineers may assign.