The City Council of Galveston, Texas recently approved new beach-front construction regulations. The new rules push new development 75 feet back from the north toe of dunes, or 350 feet from the mean high-water line, whichever line is farther landward. They are seen locally as a compromise with some wanting stricter regulations while others did […]
Tag Archives | adaptation & mitigation
Feds Release "Roadmap for Restoring Ecosystem Resiliency and Sustainability in the Louisiana and Mississippi Coasts"
Posted on March 8, 2010
Something new from The White House: In October 2009, President Obama formed the Louisiana‐Mississippi Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Working Group, co‐led by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and comprising senior‐level officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and […]
With Crumbling Seawalls and Limited Resources, France Struggles with Storms
Posted on March 3, 2010
The Associated Press is reporting on the aftermath of Xynthia, the storm that slammed into Europe last weekend. The hurricane-force winds and huge storm surge destroyed seawalls and killed dozens there. The article focuses on the past, present, and future challenges of devastated historic towns along the French coast. New homes have cropped up chaotically […]
Debate Continues Over Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane-Protection System
Posted on February 23, 2010
Houma Today reports that the debate continues in Terrebone and Lafourche parishes over whether or not it’s sensible and reasonable to build the Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricane-protection system. Proponents argue that the proposed system is critical to protecting the communities in the area. As the Terrebonne Levee Director put it: “Without Morganza, soon we’ll have water on […]
Small-Town Cape Cod Also Losing Beaches
Posted on February 10, 2010
Like California, eroding beaches on Cape Cod are threatening utilities, roads, and homes. (click on picture to watch video on NECN’s site). Erosion Concerns on Cape Cod (via NECN)
California Battles Disappearing Coastal Bluffs VIDEO
Posted on February 9, 2010
California struggles with bigger waves and falling homes. Click on the picture to head over to their site for the video. “Debate Emerges on How to Fight Coastal Erosion” via KGO-TV.
Case-Study: Freeboard Pays Off for Office/Condo
Posted on February 4, 2010
In 2008 a developer in North Dakota opted to spend an extra $2,000 to elevate a mixed business/condo structure 3 feet higher than the height required by the National Flood Insurance Program (i.e., he incorporated freeboard). “We realized the land was low-lying and we didn’t want to risk having the building flood,” he said. “Elevating […]
Community Threatens to Fine Homeowners Over Renourished-Beach Access
Posted on February 2, 2010
The New Jersey Star-Ledger has published a fascinating story about a barrier island community struggling with whether or not the Township can nourish private beaches within its jurisdiction without the blessing of its waterfront landowners. The debate, distilled into one paragraph: “Mayors want to keep beaches and dunes wide, attractive and safe. Waterfront homeowners balk […]
Two Communities on Two Coasts Move to Adapt to New Climates
Posted on February 1, 2010
Two new articles from two different areas on two different coasts. Both Neskowin, Oregon and the Norfolk-Virginia Beach metropolitan area are working to move beyond debating a changing climate to discussing what they’re going to do about it. Neskowin: a community with a disappearing beach An article in OregonLive describes how this small community (population […]
New Levee Outreach
Posted on December 16, 2009
The brainy folks over at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) have released a little handy outreach booklet designed to help folks living behind levees understand their risks. It’s called, appropriately, So, You Live Behind a Levee! The 28-page booklet answers such questions as: What does it mean to live behind a levee? Are […]