Figure 1-13. Weir jetty at Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, 1981. 



VII. CONSERVATION OF SAND 



Throughout this chapter the primary importance of an adequate sand supply 

 has been clearly shown. Where sand is available in abundant quantities, pro- 

 tective measures are generally not required or greatly simplified. When dunes 

 and broad, gently sloping beaches can no longer be provided, it is necessary 

 to resort to alternative structures, causing the recreational attraction of 

 the seashore to be lost or greatly diminished. Because sand is a diminishing 

 resource in many coastal areas, its conservation is an important factor in the 

 preservation of our coastal areas and must be included in long-range planning. 



Sand was once available to the shores in adequate supply from streams and 

 rivers and by natural erosion of coastal formations. Now development in the 

 watershed areas and along previously eroding shores has progressed to a stage 

 where large areas of the coast now receive little or no sand through natural 

 geologic processes. Continued land development along both inland rivers and 

 coastal areas has been accompanied by erosion control methods which have 



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