Summary of Beach Replenishment Experience on U.S. East Coast Barrier Islands

Abstract

Speaking in broad terms, one can say that our society has three avenues of response to an eroding shoreline. These options are (l) hard stabilization, i.e. seawalls and revetments; (2) soft stabilization, or beach replenishment; and (3) retreat or relocation of buildings. Because of the widely held perception that hard stabilization is destructive to recreational beaches, beach replenishment is often viewed as the national solution to the erosion problem. Two states, Florida and New Jersey, are planning large and costly beach replenishment programs for the future.