[SEMCO] Spectrum of Erosion Control Brochure Published

[gberman at whoi.edu]

This past winter many portions of the shoreline of Cape Cod  
experienced devastating erosion from nor?easters.  This loss of  
shoreline property leads to a desire to protect homes from damage,  
however there are times when the desire to protect upland property  
conflicts with the ecosystem services provided by natural landforms.  
The key to responsible erosion control is to increase the resilience  
of the property while not negatively affecting the coastal resource  
areas.

Various alternatives to hard structures should be examined.  A good  
alternatives analysis should discuss each method in terms of  
feasibility, environmental effect, and impact on adjacent and  
downdrift properties.

A new brochure from Woods Hole Sea Grant and Cape Cod Cooperative  
Extension provides information about the various methods of erosion  
control and compare their relative impacts. By starting at the top of  
the spectrum and addressing each method until a feasible alternative  
is reached, applicants can show full diligence that all other options  
that have lower potential impact have been examined.

Free hard copies are currently available and can be ordered by  
emailing seagrant at whoi.edu.  The spectrum brochure is also available  
as a free download at:

www.whoi.edu/seagrant

www.capecodextension.org



-Greg Berman
_________________________________________________________________________
Coastal Processes Specialist
Woods Hole Sea Grant  |  Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
gberman at whoi.edu  |  gberman at barnstablecounty.org
508-289-3046  |  193 Oyster Pond Road, MS #2, Woods Hole, MA 02543-1525
_________________________________________________________________________