A National Project for Coastal Engineering and 
Ecological Studies, as defined in Chapter 7, will 
develop the fundamental technology to investigate 
the unknowns with emphasis on ecological disturb- 
ances. Near-shore ecology needs as related to the 
scientific community are described more fully in 
the basic science panel’s report. 
In coastal planning the first requirement is 
adequate technical knowledge of shore processes, 
storm frequencies, and storm tide elevations for 
the area concerned. Especially on the Pacific Coast 
(including Alaska and Hawaii), the effects of 
tsunamis (earthquake-generated waves) must be 
considered. This information, applied to the topo- 
graphy of the coastal area and the adjoining 
continental shelves, makes possible prediction of 
flooding and erosion hazards in each area. Such 
knowledge then may be used to establish zoning 
and building regulations and the needs, types, and 
dimensions of works to prevent flooding or 
erosion. 
In highly developed areas, economic considera- 
tions usually will justify the expense of protective 
construction projects which will insure preserva- 
tion of land improvements and values once the 
need is recognized and the type of construction 
established. 
Undeveloped or sparsely developed areas offer 
great opportunity for advance planning and 
control, particularly where intensive development 
is imminent. Appropriate procedures can be 
adopted to conserve remaining natural protective 
features. Proper regulation can result in mini- 
mizing cost of protective measures and ensure 
adequate protection. Also, regulation can assure 
that substantial areas of the coast remain in a 
natural or near-natural state for general recreation. 
Erosion planning should not be considered for 
every small beach. Instead, a long reach of 30 to 
50 miles only should be considered. In fact, if a 
short reach is repaired without proper planning, 
the adjacent beaches may be adversely affected 
and the problem not solved but magnified. 
Sand—dunes, beaches, and nearshore areas—is 
the principal material protecting our seacoasts. 
Where sand is available in abundant quantities, 
protective measures are greatly simplified and 
reduced in cost. When dunes and broad, gently 
sloping beaches can no longer form by natural 
means, it is necessary to resort to massive struc- 
tures, and often the recreational appeal of the 
seashore is lost or greatly diminished. 
Sand is a rapidly diminishing natural resource. 
Sand once was carried to our shores in abundant 
supply by streams, rivers, and glaciers. Unfortu- 
nately, large stretches of our coast receive essenti- 
ally no replacement sand from these sources. 
Inland development by man reduces further sand 
available for erosion abatement of the shore. Thus, 
to save sand, wasteful practices must be eliminated 
and losses prevented wherever possible. 
Fortunately, nature has provided extensive 
stores of beach sand in bays, lagoons, and estu- 
aries; these can be used in some areas as beach and 
dune replenishment. Massive dune deposits also are 
available at some locations; however, these must 
be used with caution to avoid exposing the area to 
flood hazard. Sources of sand are not always 
located for economic utilization, nor are they 
inexhaustible. When they are gone, cost of pre- 
serving the shorelines will increase rapidly. 
Mechanically bypassing sand at coastal inlets is 
an increasing conservation practice. Removal of 
beach sand for building purposes is being curtailed 
as coastal communities recognize the value of good 
beaches. Modern hopper dredges, used for channel 
maintenance in coastal inlets, are being equipped 
with pump-out capability to discharge their loads 
on the shore instead of dumping sand at sea. It is 
hoped that dumping at sea ultimately will be 
eliminated. On the California coast, where large 
volumes of sand are swept by currents into deep 
submarine canyons near the shore, facilities are 
being provided to trap the sand and transport it 
where it can resume natural beach-building proc- 
esses. Planting beaches with appropriate grasses 
and shrubs reduces wind erosion and preserves the 
dunes. Sand conservation is very important in the 
preservation of our seacoasts; it must not be 
neglected in long range planning. 
Protection of our seacoasts, not a simple 
problem, is by no means insurmountable. It has 
increased tremendously in importance in the past 
50 years. While the cost will mount as time passes, 
it will be possible through careful planning, ade- 
quate control, and sound engineering to do the job 
properly within economic means. Shore protection 
must be undertaken as a cooperative effort at all 
levels of government, Federal, regional, State, and 
municipal. 
VI-107 
