1998 Year of the Ocean Coastal Tourism and Recreation 



sensitive. Only in areas with very high erosion rates and substantial shoreside facilities to protect 

 are hard structural solutions considered. 



The shift of population to coastal counties and the increased demand for coastal tourism 

 destinations has exacerbated many existing beach erosion problems. Development in areas with 

 high erosion rates (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1971) and building on or in front of sand 

 dunes, rather than behind them, are major factors contributing to increased beach erosion 

 problems. Relative sea-level rise caused primarily by subsidence is another major factor in some 

 areas. The interruption of sand flowing along the coast by natural or stabilized inlets is also an 

 aggravating factor. 



The Corps has conducted assessments of many of the nation's important beaches and has 

 assisted coastal communities in the funding of beach nourishment projects. The bulk of the costs 

 of these projects have been borne by the federal government with the local share generally being 

 about 30 to 35 percent of the total cost. Just as the federal government is reconsidering its 

 policies in this regard, coastal erosion and increasing relative sea-level rise in some parts of the 

 country (notably the middle Atlantic and Gulf coasts) are increasing the need for beach 

 replenishment projects. 



As statistics cited earlier show, America's beaches are an important element in this 

 country's attractiveness as an international tourist destination. A case in point concerns Miami 

 Beach which virtually had no beach left by the mid 1970s as a result of erosion. Beach re- 

 nourishment (at the cost of $52 million) in the late 1970s rejuvenated Miami Beach and enabled 

 its beach to be reopened to the public. Beach attendance subsequently increased from 8 million in 

 1978 to 21 million in 1983. Annual governmental revenue obtained from foreign tourism in 

 Miami Beach alone is about 40 times the cost of the beach re-nourishment project that has lasted 

 over 15 years (Houston, 1995). 



Given the role played by beach tourism in the nation's balance of payments and its 

 impact on government revenues and regional and local economies, it is crucial that these assets 

 be maintained at levels that promote and enhance their recreational use. If budgetary constraints 

 make it necessary to reduce federal assistance for beach restoration and maintenance, a gradual 

 and predictable approach should be adopted and states and coastal communities assisted in 

 developing viable alternative funding arrangements. 



Coastal Tourism and the Need to Coordinate Federal Policies And Programs 



While the issues discussed above are usually considered separately, all are of central 

 importance to sustainable coastal tourism. Any one, be it poorly planned development, poor 

 coastal water quality, unsafe or hazardous conditions, or eroding beaches, could seriously impact 

 the tourism potential of a coastal area. Furthermore, policies and programs in each of these areas 

 need to be developed and implemented in an integrated fashion, each taking account of the 

 others. Failure to do this can result in such undesirable outcomes as erosion control structures 



F-15 



