it is too late, and can maintain substantial areas of 

 the coast in its natural or near-natural state. 



Protection of our seacoasts is by no means an 

 insurmountable problem. It is a task and a 

 responsibility that has increased in importance in 

 the past 50 years and is destined to become of 

 even greater importance. 



While the cost will mount as time passes, it will 

 be possible through careful planning, adequate 

 control, and sound engineering to do the job 

 properly. 



II. SHORELINE DAMAGE BY STORMS 



Protection of the shoreline and its associated 

 nearshore and offshore activities from storms is of 

 vital importance to the development and use of 

 the coastal environment. This protection includes: 



— ShoreUne stabilization and beach protection 



—Improved forecasts of storms and waves. 



Much previous discussion on shoreUne erosion 

 also is apphcable here inasmuch as the more 

 striking results of shoreline erosion are caused by 

 severe weather and storms. 



Damages due to particular storms during the 

 period 1954-1968 are shown in Table 2.® 



A chart showing principal storm tracks affect- 

 ing the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts is shown in Figure 

 4. 



Panel hearings which offshore industries indi- 

 cated that, from the standpoint of safety and 

 economy, improvements in environmental predic- 

 tions are vital to these industries. 



Storm protection for backshore areas (as con- 

 trasted to beach stabilization) is handled under a 

 separate policy initiated in 1958 as a result of a 



-Protection of estuaries, harbors, and ports ,^ Figures furnished by Environmental Science Services 

 i-oi.uaii^.5, iioiuv^io, aiiu t^wi 1.0 Administration. Damages Mc approximate based OH bcst 



against wave damage available records. 



Figure 4. Major Atlantic storm tracks 1954-1967. (Source: Environmental Science Services 

 Administration) 



III-34 



