The focus of this report presented various engineering strategies for specific 

 facilities and coastal structures. The committee panel recommended the most 

 appropriate strategy was not to adopt one particular sea-level rise scenario 

 with the realization that development should also include the high probability 

 of future increased rates of sea-level rise. 



Future Planning 



17. Few articles or reports have addressed the future rates of sea- 

 level rise, since there is no consensus among scientists concerning the com- 

 plex nature of the interactive factors associated with sea level. The Envi- 

 ronmental Protection Agency published a series of reports to address future 

 planning that estimate the rates of global warming, snow and ice contribution, 

 and future sea-level scenarios. If an accelerated rise of sea level occurs as 

 predicted, coastal communities will be faced with deciding the benefits of 

 protection versus the benefits of retreating from the coastline. Long-term 

 costs, remedial costs, and risk of human life and property will have to be 

 evaluated in maintaining coastal structures and facilities. In summary, the 

 focus of research efforts in understanding sea-level change should be on esti- 

 mates of sea-level rise, improving future scenarios, and developing climatic 

 and glacial process models. 



