Shore Protection and Beach Erosion Control Study: Economic Effects of InducedDevelopment in Corps-Protected Beachfront Communities

摘要

This report addresses the economic relation between Federally sponsored shoreprotection projects and development patterns in coastal areas. The purpose of the research was to ascertain whether such Federally sponsored projects increased the rate and extent of development in protected areas, i.e. induced development. The results of the analysis are: Based upon an analysis and comparison of beachfront communities, with and without Corps shore protection projects, there is no evidence that such projects induce development along the protected shoreline. Awareness of the Corps among residents in beachfront communities decreases with wealth and increases with time of residence in the community. The existence of a Corps shore protection project is not statistically significant in generating changes in the pattern and growth of development in beachfront communities. When the whole economy in a regional coastal area grows, the rate of development in the beachfront community grows as well, with or without a Federal shore protection project.