Friday, October 14, 2005
Brad Pickle's Response
Shawn:
As a Coastal Scientist, I would have to say that ALL situations are
different and the idea that one solution will solve every problem is a
concern of mine. Therefore I need to make it clear that you should
contact a coastal engineer to lay out what alternatives exist for your
location, but I would be glad to provide the following general
information.
In my professional opinion, coastal armoring should be considered as a
last resort. By definition it is designed to armor the shoreline and
thus protect upland properties. It is not designed to protect and/or
preserve the beach and dune system. In state law, coastal armoring is
allowed only under specific conditions related to conforming and
non-conforming structures. Sri Tamisetti from the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection would be your best contact to determine whether
or not any one property is conforming or non-conforming. Generally
speaking, conforming structures/properties are not eligible for
armoring.
If armoring is selected, one must realize the associated maintenance
issues and responsibility. In essence, all armoring structures should
remain buried under sand and function as a last resort in storms only.
An armoring structure that comes in contact with water will most likely
have negative impacts on the beach in front of the structure and
possibly impacts down drift of the structure. There could be exceptions
to this generality, but not many. Therefore, if armoring is installed
the property owner should have an understanding that as the structure is
uncovered, it must be reburied, which will require ongoing sand
placement. I have noticed structures along the beach that survived one
storm but were not reburied and were damaged in subsequent storms.
Also, there are limitations based upon the type of armoring that is
selected and the property owner must decide what level of protection
they are willing to pay for. Engineers can design structures to protect
against a large range of storms, but they would be astronomical in price
so the question becomes, is the design for a 6 foot storm surge,
10-foot, 15-foot? As the storm surge increases so does the cost, but
one of the largest failure mechanisms for armoring is overtopping so
that is a very important decision.
Finally as to sand, sea oats, and sand fencing. Placed sand should be
thought of as sacrificial. It is like our dune systems that is eroded
to supply sand to the beach and function as a buffer to storms. I know
that this may be a difficult idea to swallow when the cost is near or
over $30/cubic yard. By keeping sand along the frontage of properties,
there will not be any negative impacts to adjacent properties, but also
sand also has limitations depending on the size of storm that impacts
the beaches. The position of the WCTDC has been to utilize sand along
areas that need protection. We have not historically installed any wall
structures for our properties. We will continue to plant sea oats and
install sand fencing where we are able to maintain it. If we need an
armoring structure in the future we will be cognizant of the fact that
we are accepting a long-term maintenance program for its sustainability
and I hope others that move in this direction do also. I hope you have
a great meeting and let me know if there is anything else I can answer.
Brad
As a Coastal Scientist, I would have to say that ALL situations are
different and the idea that one solution will solve every problem is a
concern of mine. Therefore I need to make it clear that you should
contact a coastal engineer to lay out what alternatives exist for your
location, but I would be glad to provide the following general
information.
In my professional opinion, coastal armoring should be considered as a
last resort. By definition it is designed to armor the shoreline and
thus protect upland properties. It is not designed to protect and/or
preserve the beach and dune system. In state law, coastal armoring is
allowed only under specific conditions related to conforming and
non-conforming structures. Sri Tamisetti from the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection would be your best contact to determine whether
or not any one property is conforming or non-conforming. Generally
speaking, conforming structures/properties are not eligible for
armoring.
If armoring is selected, one must realize the associated maintenance
issues and responsibility. In essence, all armoring structures should
remain buried under sand and function as a last resort in storms only.
An armoring structure that comes in contact with water will most likely
have negative impacts on the beach in front of the structure and
possibly impacts down drift of the structure. There could be exceptions
to this generality, but not many. Therefore, if armoring is installed
the property owner should have an understanding that as the structure is
uncovered, it must be reburied, which will require ongoing sand
placement. I have noticed structures along the beach that survived one
storm but were not reburied and were damaged in subsequent storms.
Also, there are limitations based upon the type of armoring that is
selected and the property owner must decide what level of protection
they are willing to pay for. Engineers can design structures to protect
against a large range of storms, but they would be astronomical in price
so the question becomes, is the design for a 6 foot storm surge,
10-foot, 15-foot? As the storm surge increases so does the cost, but
one of the largest failure mechanisms for armoring is overtopping so
that is a very important decision.
Finally as to sand, sea oats, and sand fencing. Placed sand should be
thought of as sacrificial. It is like our dune systems that is eroded
to supply sand to the beach and function as a buffer to storms. I know
that this may be a difficult idea to swallow when the cost is near or
over $30/cubic yard. By keeping sand along the frontage of properties,
there will not be any negative impacts to adjacent properties, but also
sand also has limitations depending on the size of storm that impacts
the beaches. The position of the WCTDC has been to utilize sand along
areas that need protection. We have not historically installed any wall
structures for our properties. We will continue to plant sea oats and
install sand fencing where we are able to maintain it. If we need an
armoring structure in the future we will be cognizant of the fact that
we are accepting a long-term maintenance program for its sustainability
and I hope others that move in this direction do also. I hope you have
a great meeting and let me know if there is anything else I can answer.
Brad
