Will Hurricane Katrina Impact Shoreline Management?

Summary of Selection 11

Hurricane Camille in 1969 was very similar to recent Hurricane Katrina. The coastal science community recognizes that hurricanes like this have happened before and will happen again. Dauphin Island, which is devastated by every hurricane that comes through is continually rebuilt. This seems very irrational- a waste of money and resources. Yet development of beachfront property is actually increasing despite the devastation. There are 2 views about this issue:
1) The US should systematically retreat from the oceanfront.
2) Government spending should be increased for beach nourishment/replenishment.
There are several problems with the 2nd view. The reconstructed beach decieves people into thinking it is safe. Beach replenishment is NOT property damage control (it will not protect against 10m storm surges.) Environmentally, pumping sand onto the beach destroys all the native organisms. And lastly, the cost for this is paid by taxpayers who do not benefit from it at all - the people who benefit are the "destroyers" of the beach (oceanfront developers and property owners) who make it more vulnerable to natural disasters.

The situation is and will be getting worse with increased amounts and intensity of storms due to global warming. Therefore it's time to cut our losses and run from the especially vulnerable areas at least.
There are several obstacles preventing this:
1) Suggesting that some people not be allowed to rebuild seems callous or uncompassionate. (Although it is not suggested that all aid be removed!)
2) Abandoning a community is viewed as defeatist/anti-development/unAmerican. (Or is this just proud insanity?)
3) Coastal development is good for the economy. (If it's so profitable then they shouldn't need federal funding!)
4) Property rights have been used as leverage. (In this case, they should take personal responsibility for their decision to live in an area that is known to have natural disasters on a regular basis!!)

We need a commission to objectively determine which coasts to retreat from (pull federal support), possibly called the Shoreline Retreat Advisory Commission. We also need to address what to do about the Louisiana wetlands and Barrier Island coastal degredation that is largely human induced. It should be clear that restoration would not help reduce the impact of hurricanes. Also the root cause of wetland loss must be addressed to truly help the wetlands. Scientific knowledge brings societal responsibility! Scientists with the knowledge need to make the facts known and speak out and participate in the debate to help rethink our national coastal policy.


This article made me think about our own flooding situation here in Winnipeg. Every year there is some minor flooding and we know that there will be major floods coming again as they have many times in the past. A lot of money, time, and resources are spent by the city every time this happens to protect those homes. Should we try to implement something similar and retreat a bit from the rivers? I think it actually makes a lot of sense!!