Threats to beach resources and park boundaries caused by shoreline migration in an urban estuarine park

Karl F. Nordstrom, Nancy L. Jackson, John P. Tiefenbacher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

An evaluation of coastal processes, shoreline erosion, and shore management options for Conference House Park, New York, USA, reveals the problems associated with lack of congruence between jurisdictional boundaries and boundaries required for maintenance of beaches and shorefront park land. Rates of shoreline change are high despite low wave energies because bay beaches contain small amounts of sand. The park is so narrow in places that the shoreline will soon move out of park boundaries. This condition will eliminate natural beach resources, restrict access, and create political and administrative problems. Management strategies include revetment construction, beach nourishment, and acquisition of additional land. Obtaining the maximum length of shorefront to create a park may be less cost effective in maintaining natural beach resources than obtaining a shorter frontage and more compact shape that allows for shoreline movement. The problems of managing eroding shorelines in urban estuaries are acute because space is lacking, the cost of land is high, and the critical nature of shoreline erosion is disguised by low wave energies and lack of daily beach change.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)195-202
Number of pages8
JournalEnvironmental Management
Volume14
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Global and Planetary Change
  • Ecology
  • Pollution

Keywords

  • Boundary decisions
  • Estuarine parks
  • Shoreline erosion

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