National Assessment Of Shoreline Change

Beach erosion is a chronic problem along open-ocean shores of the U.S. As coastal populations continue to grow and community infrastructures are threatened by erosion, there is increased demand for accurate info. regarding past and present trends and rates of shoreline movement, and a need for a comprehensive analysis of shoreline movement. This report on states bordering the Gulf of Mexico (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas) summarizes the methods of analysis, interprets the results, provides explanations regarding the historical and present trends and rates of change, and describes how different coastal communities are responding to coastal erosion in 2004 (prior to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita). Illustrations.

Because the U.S. population continues to shift toward the coast where valuable coastal property is vulnerable to erosion, the USCG is conducting a national assessment of coastal change. One aspect of this effort, the NASC, uses shoreline position as a proxy for coastal change because shoreline position is one of the most commonly monitored indicators of environ. change. This study: (1) develops and implements improved methods of assessing and monitoring shoreline movement; and (2) improves current understanding of the processes controlling shoreline movement. This report summarizes historical shoreline changes on the 3 most densely populated islands of the 8 main Hawaiian Islands: Kauai, Oahu, and Maui. Illus. A print on demand report.