Editorial: Beach Replenishment is No Cure-All
What do you do if a beach replenishment project is not working the way it was intended? That is the question facing Sea Bright, NJ, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers these days.
Something Strange is Happening to Sea Bright’s Beach, NJ
A section of the beach, newly widened after Hurricane Sandy, is eroding so fast that fledging dunes can’t take hold to help with storm protection.
Duck Beach is Sinking Fast and Deep, NC
The beach at Duck is sinking faster than the ocean is rising. The phenomenon, called vertical land movement, is a lesser-known part of the debate over sea-level rise…
How Did Rocks End Up on the Beach? NC
State rules make it clear that sand from an ocean bottom riddled with rocks should not be pumped onto the state’s beaches during beach re-nourishment projects. Yet, a beach pumping project on the south end of this Onslow County town littered the beach with tons of rocks, some the size of basketballs. And no one stopped it.
A 50-year Sand Replenishment Project, Encinitas and Solana Beaches, CA
For the price of the plan, the cities could have looked at buying bluff-top properties to allow for “managed retreat.” That way, the bluffs could naturally erode, putting sand back on the beaches.
Palm Beach Sea Turtles Killed During Beach Renourishment Project
South Floridians have for years grappled with the issue of beach erosion. Condos continue to go up despite wave action that carries sand away. Residents want wide, sandy beaches — and so do turtles, who need it to nest.
Sand Cents
The value of many oceanfront properties on the East Coast could drop dramatically if Congress were to suddenly end federal beach nourishment subsidies. Values could fall by as much as 17 percent in towns with high property values and almost 34 percent in towns with low property values.
Dealing with Beach Erosion; Maintenance, Monitoring Program Eyed; AL
Since a $50,000 beach repair emergency project was completed last July, a large chunk of beach has eroded and the council will soon consider implementing a beach monitoring and maintenance program.
The Jersey Shore’s Unquenchable Thirst for Sand
New Jersey, with its 127-mile coastline, has spent about $800 million on beach replenishment over the last 30 years – more than any other state, including Florida, which has an 1,800-mile coastline. That is equivalent to 80 million cubic yards of sand – or about a dump truck load for every foot of beach.