Historical Shoreline Management – Long Term Lessons in Coastal Resiliency in Hampton, Virginia
NOAA defines coastal resiliency as “the ability of a community to ‘bounce back’ after hazardous events such as hurricanes, coastal storms, and flooding – rather than simply reacting to impacts.” The term itself has become more prevalent in recent years with increased concerns associated with the projected long-term effects of sealevel rise and climate change. In Hampton Roads, the apparent sealevel rise is accelerated due to local subsidence and storms have been stronger and more frequent in recent decades. Adaptive management practices and long-term planning are integral for mitigating the vulnerability of development and infrastructure along the shoreline, especially when considering that the “reactive” approach is often an expensive and short-term band aid solution. The City of Hampton is one of the smaller coastal cities in Hampton Roads and is sited on the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean. Due to its location, the city is highly susceptible to storm impacts from both tropical events as well as northeasters. Significant development occurred along the bayfront and tidal tributaries during the 1970’s and early 1980’s when storm activity was minimal. Storm frequency increased during the following decades causing tidal flooding, coastal erosion and damage to infrastructure. The City has recognized the value of its diverse shoreline and took action by evaluating long term adaptive management practices to protect and enhance the various coastal segments within the municipality. This presentation will provide a historical overview of a planned approach to shoreline management resulting in a more resilient coastal community. Nature based projects range in size from neighborhood living shorelines to large scale beach renourishment projects, while structural practices include breakwaters, revetments and seawalls. The primary benefit of shoreline management has been storm damage reduction while the ancillary benefits have included increased opportunities for recreation and habitat enhancement.Author Bio
Rebecca Francese is a senior level scientist with more than 39 years of experience in both coastal and environmental projects. Her expertise ranges from site assessments to 404/Section 10 permitting, living shoreline design, and coastal zone management with a concentration in dredging, inlet management and beach renourishment.
