1- Do nothing
Fine as long as natural forces permit. The course of past Councils,
but the failure to take corrective steps has allowed extensive beach erosion
and almost complete loss of the fore-dune, the main line of property protection.
2- Patch
Essentially, solve problems as they arise. No help in preventing future
problems, and they get worse with time. But see doing part of (3).
3- Renourish
The one Volusia County is considering, but for part of the beach. Works
for a time, then must be repeated each 5 years on the average, depending
on storm events. The history is one storm within 50 miles of the inlet
each 40 months on the average, varying from 2 storms in one month to no
storms in 18 years (the late 1900s). Some 30 miles of the beach need attention
now or will shortly, cost $ 1-3 million per mile, increasing with time.
Builds an inferior beach, lifeless for some time, expensive.
4- Line with sea-walls.
Eventually destroys the beach, the waves reaching the wall even at
low tide. There are no true seawalls in Volusia County, just sand retaining
walls of low strength, some failing from their own weight. They would have
to be built, and true seawalls can cost some $1000 per foot.
5- Withdraw structures from the beach
Unless sea-level rise stops, will happen eventually. Some beach experts
advocate "graceful withdrawal", a step program of getting back to a beach
friendly to natural forces. Requires much planning, education, many small
and some large action steps.
The Environmental Council beach presentation includes photographs of the factors entering into these decision, including many past events, plus actions which can be taken to reduce the size of the problem.