Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines
Science. Policy. Education. Outreach. Coastal.
Recent Coastal News
Coastal Hazards & Targeted Acquisitions: A Reasonable Shoreline Management Alternative
This is the first of several case studies examining the feasibility & economics of targeted acquisition strategies in oceanfront, resort communities. For North Topsail Beach, the costs ($54.8 million with inflation) & benefits ($57.6 million) represent a savings of at least $2.8 million over 30 years.” Read the full document here.
Federal Expenditures Related to the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA)
Andy Coburn’s analysis of the CBRA concluded that the CBRA has reduced federal coastal disaster-related expenditures by $9.5 billion between 1989 and 2013. Future CBRA savings over the next 50 years are forecast to range between $11 billion for a low development/low damage estimate scenario to $108 billion for a high development/high damage estimate scenario (all estimates in 2016 dollars).
Read the JCR entire article here.
Coastal communities should exercise caution in using FEMA Flood Maps as the primary indicator of coastal risk.
Read this article here
Why does today’s big release of the Engineering With Nature Atlas from the USACE make me nervous?
“… but let’s be clear, beach and dune building projects are not restoration projects.” Read more commentary by Rob Young here
FEMA Flood Maps Ignore Climate Change
Learn more about PSDS’s analysis regarding FEMA flood maps here. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Storm Surge at Mexico Beach
Why was the storm tide so high at Mexico Beach? It’s a combination of multiple factors.
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Recent PSDS Imagery
Old Student Union
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC 28734
