Alternative to Traditional Ways of Treating Shoreline Erosion

Abstract

In the United States national attention by major media has focused on America’s ‘threatened coastlines’. Misdirected engineering methods and efforts to control erosion of beaches have been proven to be wrong and counterproductive. ‘Armoring’ the shore with structures such as sea walls or riprap is unavailing and unsightly. Expensive and temporary beach dredged nourishment is coming under increased attack for causing and increasing erosional damage. Corrective action requires a sound analysis of the ecology of natural beach formation. Man’s alteration of shorelines has created unnatural water currents, often remotely situated, which now divert the inbound littoral supply of sediment away from shore. Normally this sand would ensure a positive balance among factors preserving natural beach configurations.

Manmade artificial structures such as jetties also create disruptive currents. Proven environmentally and ecologically harmonious methods for controlling shoreline and bluff erosion and for restoring the natural environment are now available. Successful restoration of beaches and dune lands has resulted from patented low profile undercurrent stabilizer filtration systems in installations designed for specific sites. All countries with shoreline erosion need to review their present policies and make administrative changes to encourage such innovation via large-scale planning and objectively monitored demonstration projects. Those who dictate policies of retreating from our coasts and express such views as letting nature take it’s course are wrong. Nature is not the enemy and abandoning the seashore should never be considered as an option. In the United States and some other countries, streamlining permit procedures and a review of jurisdictional overlap is advocated to ensure a timely response to solving the current crisis.