Florida Shore Protection Project Review Study Brevard County

This report was prepared as an independent assessment of the coastal physical processes occurring along Brevard County, Florida. The study was conducted for the U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division, in its involvement with the lawsuit Applegate et al. versus the United States of America. Long-term regional beach change is evaluated by analysis of survey data on shoreline position, bathymetry, and beach profiles taken through time. In addition, analysis is specifically made for the properties of two test plaintiffs selected by the Court. Estimates of beach and dune erosion, if any, are calculated for the two test plaintiffs from date of purchase of the properties. Erosion of the beaches and dunes, principally attributed to storms, was estimated at the properties of the two test plaintiffs by compiling storm data and calculating beach and dune change with a numerical model.

This report presents the findings of a task force review of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Shoreline Protection and Beach Erosion Control Program. The assessment of the program was in response to Fiscal Year 1994 "Passback Language" from the Office of Management and Budget. The report responds to concerns about the shoreline protection program, particularly concerning costs, benefits, environmental effects and the related influences on shoreline development. The study was performed in two phases. The initial phase was completed in January 1994 and published as IWR Report 94-PS-1, Shoreline Protection and Beach Erosion Control Study. Phase I: Cost Comparison of Shoreline Protection Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The purpose of the first phase report was to provide early input to the Office of the Management and Budget regarding the scope and cost of Federal Civil Works shore protection. This second and final phase of the study incorporates: additional analysis of project costs and sand emplacements; and overview of risk management in the coastal zone; a comparison of actual versus anticipated benefits; a discussion on environmental considerations; and an analysis of any induced development effects associated with the Federal shore protection and beach erosion control program. Also, included is a summary of study findings and conclusions. The basis of this report and the data compiled by the task force reflects conditions as of 1 July 1993.