Pre-emptive strategies for enhanced sand bypassing and beach replenishment activities in southeast Florida: a geological perspective
Finkl jr., C.W. (1993). Pre-emptive strategies for enhanced sand bypassing and beach replenishment activities in southeast Florida: a geological perspective. J. Coast. Res. SI(18): 58-89
www.jstor.org/stable/25735673
In: Journal of Coastal Research. Coastal Education and Research Foundation: Fort Lauderdale. ISSN 0749-0208; e-ISSN 1551-5036, more
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| Abstract |
Although beaches on the southeast Florida coast are periodically replenished in an effort to reduce shoreline recession, such efforts have been only moderately successful. Erosion of sandy beaches on the downdrist (south) sides of jettied inlets is a chronic problem that requires remediation. In order for erosion control measures to be effective, e.g. function harmoniously within the natural balance of coastal systems, coastal protection measures must consider the geological framework for this subtropical coast as it influences strategies for coastal management. Important to coastal engineering design are such factors as climate change (Greenhouse Effect), sediment discharge into the oceans, long-and short-term causes of sea-level rise, sediment sources and sinks in terms of gross/net littoral budgets. The limited reserves of offshore borrow materials that are suitable for beach renourishment and the loss of nearshore sediments to deep offshore regions requires consideration of alternative sand sources and enhanced sand bypassing options. Environmental impacts and socio-economic constraints of sand management schemes are related to the on-going "sand wars", and the consideration of ecologically-favored alternatives. There are several action items that need to be implemented if politically expedient solutions, such as long-range setbacks or abandonment of coastal sectors, are to be avoided. These action items are: (1) initiate full-scale comprehensive environmental monitoring of bypassing and replenishment projects, (2) set up continous long-term ecological monitoring, (3) standardize methods and sampling techniques, (4) from Florida reference ecological stations, (5) include ecologically sensitive areas in data management plans, (6) monitor beach, borrow, and bypass installations on the basis of ecological performance, and (7) establish a central depository for environmental performance data. The advantage of beach replenishment combined with enhanced sand bypassing is a pre-emptive strategy over conventional techniques. The initiation of comprehensive, long-term environmental (ecological) monitoring is needed as a means to approach a balance between engineering solutions to erosion control and environmental concerns. |
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