Private Development and Corporate Funding to Fight Shoreline Erosion Es

Private Development and Corporate Funding to Fight Shoreline Erosion At its simplest, shoreline erosion is the result of the combination of processes, both natural and manmade, by which shoreline and beaches are damaged or lost. For this discussion, wetlands are also included. There is an ongoing debate over the best way by which to preserve beaches, shorelines, and wetlands. Conservation extremists argue that limiting or restricting land use, and restoring damaged property with tax money represents the most prudent answer to shoreline erosion. Included in this position is the inherent role of government intervention to preserve America’s shoreline. There are many problems with the conservation position, and many advantages to the alternate solution --- private development and corporate funding. The most damaging factor to America’s shoreline is that of poorly planned development in environmentally fragile coastal areas that lead to erosion and various forms of pollution. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimated in 1971 that 40% of the total shoreline of the lower 48 states was experiencing significant erosion. Wind and wave action associated with high tides are the cause of natural erosion. Damming rivers restricts the flow of eroded rock, which is the source of much sand (Rhinehart, 1997). These factors are best addressed by infusions of venture capital applied with sound business principles and sensitivity for environmental concerns. Sound planning by the private sector is essential. The number of people living within 50 miles of the U.S. coastline rose from 61 million to 130 million between 1940 and 1988. More than 50% of Americans currently live within 50 miles of the shoreline, but the figure is pr... ...ions Must Be Repealed.† www.mcaffre_se@leg.wa.gov (2001). Spencer, H. (2000). â€Å"Seawalls Bring on Raging Debate in Washington State.† www.beachbrowser.com â€Å"Development-Protecting Seawalls Debated.† www.hosey-chehalis river council index.html Rhinehart, J. and J. Pompe (1997). â€Å"Entrepreneurship and Coastal Resource Management.† The Independent Review, vol. 1, No. 4. pp.543-559. Skousen, Mark (1999). â€Å"The Battle for Diamond Head: A Case for Market Failure?† The Freeman. Works Cited â€Å"Coping With Shoreline Erosion in the Caribbean.† http://www.unesco.org/csi/act/cosalc/shore-ero.htm. Online. Available. 23 March 2002. Nepf, Heidi. â€Å"Longshore Drift.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000. â€Å"Streambank and Shoreline Erosion Management Measure.† http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/MMGI/Chapter 6/ch6-4.html. Online. Available. 23 March 2002.