Dr. Charles Shabica

Guest Column

Beach restoration protects, preserves coastal resources

In the May 18 guest column by Bob Duerr and John Weber (writing on behalf of the Surfrider Foundation), there were a number of inaccurate assertions we feel compelled to correct.

The Top Restored Beaches honored by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) were selected by a committee based on nominations from communities around the country. This five-person committee included two Ph.D.s, three coastal engineers and a coastal geologist - and one "average beach person" representing Chico's (whose sponsorship consisted mainly of helping to publicize the beaches selected).

By the way, those 2006 Top Restored Beaches were:

Assateague Island National Seashore, Md.; Captiva Island, Fla.; Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Ala.;

Pinellas County Beaches, Fla.;

Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches, Del.;

Sea Bright to Manasquan Beach.

The ASBPA has been in the beach business for 80 years, founded in New Jersey in 1926. The organization has published a quarterly, peer-reviewed technical journal since 1933 (as well as a monthly e-newsletter for the past few years), and puts on two conferences each year - including the 2006 fall technical conference, which will be held in Long Branch.

Our members include coastal engineers, geologists, biologists and other scientists, as well as academics, government officials and beach supporters.

We feel the need to explain the organization's credentials as Duerr and Weber neglected to do so during their glib comments. They opted to spend their time decrying specialized problems with certain beach restoration projects and implying that the ASBPA, through its awards and other activities, has an agenda at heart.

Well, we do. That agenda is to preserve beaches, and is clearly stated in the organization's mission statement:

The American Shore & Beach Preservation Association recognizes that the shores, beaches and other coastal resources of America provide important quality-of-life assets within the reach of the largest possible number of people in accordance with the ideals of a democratic nation. We pursue this mission by means of:

+ Protecting and improving healthy and diverse recreational opportunities;

+ Managing, protecting and enhancing environmental resources;

+ Encouraging responsible and sustainable economic development;

+ Preserving aesthetic values;

+ Reducing damage from natural hazards and human activities;

+ Mitigating human impacts to natural processes;

This association is dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing the beaches, shores and other coastal resources of America.

Without beach restoration, too many communities would have to turn to the unacceptable alternative of "hardening" their coastlines - using seawalls, revetments and the like in hopes of hanging on to the eroding shores at the expense of their beaches. That would eliminate sandy beaches and the recreational and environmental opportunities they bring (not to mention storm protection).

Imagine a Jersey Shore, for example, with nothing but concrete walls and boulder revetments. Not a pretty sight. And the pipe dream of retreat in the face of encroaching waves is neither practical nor prudent in most circumstances unless one is willing to pay for the property and infrastructure left to disappear beneath the sea.

The ASBPA started its Top Restored Beaches awards a few years ago as a way to remind people that many of the beaches they take for granted today have been restored and managed over time, to enhance access and storm protection, to create environmental benefits and economic opportunities.

But this is just one of the numerous awards the ASBPA hands out as needed; we also honor research and scholarship in beach processes, legislative support for beach management, and dedication and service to beaches and the organization over time.

You see, the ASBPA believes we have to start with the facts in order to preserve and protect our beaches. That's the premise the organization was founded on 80 years ago, and the focus it continues to follow today. There's no one single, simple answer to saving our shorelines - but through sound science, public involvement and a sincere commitment, the right answers can be found.

We would hope that, after some consideration, Duerr and Weber could concur.

Dr. Charles Shabica

professor of earth science

Northeastern Illinois University

and chairman

ASBPA 2006 Top Restored Beaches committee