TARGETING OFFSHORE SAND RESOURCES FOR HIGH HAZARD ZONESALONG SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA, USA

摘要

A number of high-risk segments along the southeastern coastline of NorthrnCarolina have partially recovered from the impacts of the recent hurricanes (1996-99);rnhowever many severely impacted areas are still at risk. A primary management concernrnrelated to these high hazard areas, is the environmentally sensitive issue of beachrnnourishment. More than 80 % of the 180km long shoreline between Cape Lookout andrnCape Fear is extensively developed. Nine of the eleven communities that comprise thisrnreach have a history of replenishment while the remaining two have feasibility studies inrnprogress. Aside from financial aspects of nourishment, many communities are concernedrnwith sand availability for nourishment programs.rnLong-term chronic erosion and lack of significant recovery has prompted a reexaminationrnof offshore areas for sand for erosion and storm damage reduction projects.rnMany of these sediment starved shoreline reaches have little storm protection and arnmarginal potential for locating sand resources for nourishment. Consequently, majorrnsections of some high hazard reaches will have to be abandoned, as relocation is not anrnoption. Data for three exemplary sites (Onlsow Beach, Topsail Beach, and Figure EightrnIsland), in different environmental settings with contrasting development and erosionrnhistories are presented.