Coastlines are managed using a variety of approaches aimed at protecting people and property from coastal erosion and flooding while preserving natural resources. These methods broadly fall into two categories: hard engineering and soft engineering.
Hard Engineering Solutions
Hard engineering involves the construction of man-made structures to control coastal processes. Examples include:
- Sea walls: These are strong walls built along the coast to prevent erosion and flooding. They are effective but can be expensive and visually intrusive, sometimes altering natural coastal processes negatively.
- Groynes: These are structures built perpendicular to the shoreline to trap sediment transported by longshore drift. This helps maintain beaches but can lead to erosion down-drift.
- Rock armour (riprap): Large rocks are placed along the shore to absorb wave energy and protect the coast. This is relatively cost-effective but can look unnatural.
Soft Engineering Solutions
Soft engineering uses natural processes to manage coastlines. This approach aims to work with nature rather than against it. Examples include:
- Beach nourishment: This involves adding sand or sediment to beaches to widen them and protect against erosion. While effective, it requires ongoing maintenance.
- Dune regeneration: Sand dunes act as a natural barrier against coastal erosion. Regenerating or stabilizing dunes involves planting vegetation to strengthen them and reduce erosion.
- Managed retreat: This involves allowing the coastline to erode naturally in certain areas, often relocating buildings and infrastructure. It can be controversial but offers a sustainable long-term solution.
The Aims of Coastal Management
The overarching goal of coastal management is to protect people and reduce the impacts of coastal erosion and flooding. Different agencies at the local, state, and national levels are involved, balancing economic development with environmental protection and conservation of coastal resources. For example, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Coastal Management works on an integrated program of planning, permitting, and resource management to achieve this balance (https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/division-coastal-management). Similarly, the NOAA Office for Coastal Management provides technology, information, and management strategies to support these efforts at various levels (https://coast.noaa.gov/).
The choice of management strategy depends on factors like the specific coastal environment, the level of risk, available resources, and community preferences.
