- Understand why coastal erosion is occurring before exploring a solution. Some coasts, such as the rocky western coast of the United States, erode very slowly. Others, like Louisiana's Mississippi Delta region, disappear at the rate of meters per year. Weather events, particularly major hurricanes, cause the brunt of erosion problems, but they don't affect all coastal areas equally. Man-made disruptions of the natural sediment flow aggravate erosion events, so look at what's happened in your area. It's not possible to reverse dredged canals, intricate levee systems and man-made waterways through barrier islands, all of which disrupt sediment flow. Look, however, at removing smaller man-made structures in the area, like bulkheads and seawalls. Such structures are stopgap solutions to erosion in a small area but make overall erosion in the surrounding areas worse. Also maintain and protect beach vegetation wherever possible. Vegetation strengthens sand against erosion.
- Long-term erosion defense and repair requires millions of dollars and is not a project for an individual. Generate community support and vie for government projects to alleviate erosion problems. State agencies such as Texas' General Land Office offer funding for projects on a regular cycle. These agencies respond more to proposals that give long-lasting solutions. They can nourish beaches with sand, restore dunes and habitats, and fund studies to better understand an area's erosion. Federal sources, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, can fund even larger-scale projects. Getting that funding requires a concerted effort from state officials and congressional representatives, and federal agencies generally require years of feasibility studies before embarking on a project.
- When looking at erosion prevention projects, consider some of the yet unproven methods undergoing testing. A number of coastal communities, including those in North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland, in 2008 were experimenting with planting oyster shells offshore. The idea is that the shells will draw aquatic life such as algae, worms and fish, thus creating a "living shoreline" to alleviate erosion. Look at new technologies as well. While synthetic, sand-filled tubing causes problems similar to bulkheads and seawalls, the small village of Surfside Beach, Texas, secured funding in 2004 for a stair-step type of tubing that creates a dune without causing a scouring effect during storms.
- Even though erosion prevention is a massive undertaking, individuals can do their part in protecting the coastline. Follow the old adage: "Leave nothing but footprints behind when you visit the beach." The garbage you leave behind will harm the ocean's ecosystem and beach vegetation, which in turn aggravates erosion. Stay out of the sand dunes at the beach. They are filled with fragile vegetation that hold them together--and, at times, with snakes, if you need an extra incentive to stay out. When building or repairing a beach home, get all necessary permits and follow building regulations closely so as to not add structures that would cause erosion during flooding events.
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