selection 11: Will Hurricane Katrina Impact Shoreline Management?

This natural disaster that happened caused shoreline properties in coastal zones to be wiped out, wave impacts extended 0.5 km inland leaving large debris along southern Mississippi. Moreover, Dauphin Island, met more destructive consequences of this tragedy. Because of its strategic location, Katrina destroyed 150 homes in the west of the island which was on the periphery of the hurricane. During Katrina, width was added to the back of the island leaving boathouses driven ashore on land as the Island washed northward during the storm.

• Beach Replenishment.
  It seemed that beach replenishment is a desperate attempt to keep at distance the natural response of the shorelines to a rising sea level. On the other hand, hurricanes became an urban renewal for the coast in a way, but the government spending and efforts on beach nourishment would double, and would meet several problems to replenish the beach.
• Abandon the Coast?
  From research studies, the climate change and especially the increase in sea water temperature in water will result in even more powerful storms of longer duration. For this matter, it is believed that it is time to cut federal ties with coastal areas which are most vulnerable. For instance, Mississippi wave land has been destroyed twice in 35 years. As a result, they should not receive any federal tax dollars for rebuild. This is not impossible, if national policy for each storm can be developed. The areas from which federal support is to be pulled can be determined

A better and more direct presence of scientists is definitely needed by engaging in public hearings for instance. More engaging and responsibility would mean that not only those with a direct financial interest can participate in the debate. Those whose main goad and priority is not fiscal responsibility, environmental preservation or human safety.