The Environmental Tragedy of Coastal Erosion Essay -- Environment Ecol

The Environmental Tragedy of Coastal Erosion A very high percentage of the American population resides at or near one of the coasts. Preserving beaches is a very costly endeavor and there have been many debates over which way this country should go about doing so. On the east coast the current strategy is, â€Å"beach nourishment programs†, whereby sand is taken from available sources and put back onto the eroded beach (Michaels, 01). In 1999 the United States government spent about $150 million on beach nourishment programs, state and local governments along with those who own their own beach property spend even more on such projects (Michaels, 01). Recently, however, the amount reserved for these projects in the national budget has been decreasing. The problem with the beach nourishment programs is that they are very short term and too costly, resulting in beaches which are still being eroded and a what seems to many, as a waste of taxpayer dollars. So we have a high demand for beach use and a low will ing- ness to supply funds to preserve the same beach. The forces of man and nature have created a coastal erosion headache for millions of residents in the U.S. As is the case with many environmental problems, nature and man have combined forces to create a coastal erosion problem (Michaels, 01). Development along the coast line has contributed greatly to erosion and has done so in several different ways. Some property owners have totally demolished coastal dunes in an attempt to provide better views of the ocean for the properties they build, and along with that have also completely destroyed natural vegetation in order to construct jetties or other manmade devices to improve ocean access for the... ...rk, May 24, 1999. Vol. 246, issue 21, pp.55. Issacs, Lindsay. â€Å"Shoring up the nation’s coastline†. The American City & County. Pittsfield, September 2000. Vol. 115, issue 13, pp.56-61. Johnson, Dan. â€Å"Beaches vs. Buildings†. The Futurist. Washington, February 2000. Vol.34, issue 1, pp.8-9. Michaels, A. Patricia. â€Å"Beach Erosion†. http://envirionment.about.com Rinehart, R. James, Pompe, J. Jeffery. â€Å"Coastal development, environmental amenities, And market forces: An application of economic theory†. Southern Business Review. Statesboro, 2001. Vol.26, issue 2, pp.1-5. Ward, Christina. (Staff Writer) â€Å"Coastal Erosion Could Take 1500 Homes a Year, FEMA Says†. 2000. http://www.DisasterRelief.org. pp.1-5. Woodell, Gregory. Press Statement 2002. http://www.calcoast.org.