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This is a strategic approach to attempt to resolve some of the issues related to coastal erosion and its affects on Long Beach Island, NJ.
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Overview• Representing Local Businesses Owners
• Many businesses are location-dependento Example: yacht clubs must be located on a lot with water access.
• Heavily Impacted by barrier island tourismo Lodging, Food & Beverage, Retail, Recreation, and
Transportation
o LBI businesses represent 32% of total tourism spending for Ocean County
• 2011 Total Tourism revenues of $1.2B
LBI Tourism Economics
Tax Contribution
• Generated nearly $300M in total taxes in 2011
• 3% of all tourism-initiated taxes for NJ
• Ocean County’s 200k+ households would need to pay additional $826/year to match current levels
Job Creation
• Directly supports 20,300+ jobs
• 14% of all Ocean County employment
• 83% of tourism spending stays in Ocean County
Source: http://nj1015.com/files/2012/10/SOCC-2011-Econ-Impact-Final-10-2012.pdf
Environmental Analysis• Taxpayer equality issues• 5th amendment concerns• Federal flood insurance• EPA and other agencies• Has decision-making power and
wide sphere of influence
• Save wetlands, estuaries, aquifers, and water supply
• Limited power to affect decisions but can influence
• Value empirical evidence• Advocate immediate
solutions to climate change• Limited power to make
decisions but can influence
• Gentrification• Rely on constant engineering• Insurance costs• Resistant to moving but have
limited power
• Appease local populations• Concerned about tourism and
tax revenues• Power to make decisions and
influence federal government
• Source of revenue for the state and county
• Attract and maintain tourism • Advocates for status quo• Sewage pollution and littering
Climate Change AssumptionsPrecipitation
• Northern region of the U.S. projected to become wetter
• More intense Atlantic hurricaneso 1.8°F increase in tropical sea surface temperatures
o Stronger winds, increased rainfall
Sea Level Rise
• Melting glaciers and ice caps
• Since 1870 sea levels have rose 8 inches
• Conservatively projected 1.5 ft. rise in New York and New Jersey by 2050, 2.3 ft. by 2100o Some scientists project 6 ft. rise by 2100
Source: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/future.html
Climate Change Impact
Storm Surge Impact Lower ManhattanYear 2100Assumes 5-ft rise in sea levels
Impact to Barrier Islands• Shoreline erosion as sea levels rise
o Loss of beaches
o Homes and businesses threatened
o Decreased tourism
o Loss of jobs
• Increased frequency and severity of stormso Coastal flooding leads to property damage
o Increased insurance premiums
o Sea level has risen consistently since 1993
o Effects of severe storms = negative affects
Impact to Barrier Islands
September 2005 October 2004
Strategic Alternatives
Benefits Disadvantages
Retreat
• Minimizes human suffering
• Less expensive than armoring
• Allow restoration of flood buffering wetlands and natural shoreline
• Protection costs avoided
• Fewer post-disaster decisions to abandon developed land
• Businesses close
• Political quagmire; legal and equity issues
• Negative impact to tourism and tax collection
• Incremental costs– e.g. site clean up to remove toxics
• In-migration land use conflicts
• Short term vs. long term costs
Benefits Disadvantages
No Coastal Protection
• Provides natural erosion and habitat
• Natural vegetation
• Prevents dramatic shifts in natural ecosystem
• Critical components to local geology
• Loss of business
• Re-filling island in short term
• Thermal expansion of coastal waters
• Extreme construction costs
• Degradation of natural environment
Benefits Disadvantages
• Prevents island from breaking apart
• Minimally disruptive
• Can be done gradually
• Businesses do not relocate
• Local jobs can be retained
• $1.2B in tourism revenue
• Maintain tax revenue for local governments
• More costly than other options
• Disruption of marine life and erosion of wetlands
• Potential tax increase to pay for project
• Logistics concerns
• No storm surge protection
Raise the Island
Benefits Disadvantages
Construct Levees
• No institutional changes/ physical interference
• Beach can be maintained
• Avoid inundation
• Constant Monitoring
• Storm surge protection
• Must abandon properties
• + $$$ for sand
• Waterfront aesthetics
• Hoist boast / climb over
• Initial investment: pump system, land, & construction
• Constant maintenance
• Interference w/ sea life
Costs of Alternatives
Adjusted for inflation
SLR Levee
Raise the
Island Retreat
No
Protection
1 100$ 202$ 79$ 106$
2 833$ 547$ 209$ 887$
3 977$ 1,002$ 342$ 1,619$
4 1,121$ 1,509$ 474$ 2,972$
5 1,265$ 2,012$ 591$ 3,341$
6 1,409$ 2,515$ 712$ 3,709$
7 1,553$ 3,022$ 828$ Loss
8 1,697$ 3,523$ 945$ Loss
EPA projected sea level rise
Recommendation
Raise the island• Saves hundreds of small local businesses and
preserves thousands of jobs
• $1.2B in revenue generation annually
• Positive tax impact for state and local governments
• Preferred over levees• Unspoiled ocean views• No disruption to businesses reliant on boats• Costs less than levees at EPA projection of 2ft sea level rise• Can be implemented gradually
Implementation
• Partner with local and state governments
• Construction done in off-season months to minimize impact to tourists
• Project funding via:• Federal and state grants• Toll revenues
• Marketing campaign highlighting greater LBI area
• Increased emphasis on environmental sustainability
Questions?