For nearly a century, oceanside communities, particularly those along the Atlantic, have used beach nourishment to safeguard buildings and infrastructure from the erosive forces of waves and tidal action. These projects have saved both lives and livelihoods, restoring a natural barrier against coastal storms while preserving tourism-dependent local economies.
Will beach nourishment remain a viable option in the face of rising sea levels? The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association says yes, asserting in a position paper that, in many areas, beach nourishment “is the most cost-effective and environmentally acceptable approach to providing a buffer against the sea” and that, in most cases, “the increase in cost to account for sea-level rise during the life of a beach project will be insignificant in relation to the overall benefits provided by the beach.”