Non-Structural Surge Mitigation Concepts

Presented by:

Lynn Scarlett Managing Director for

Public Policy

The Nature Conservancy

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www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/ Ike - 2008

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Rollover Pass and Gilchrist

The Context

• 16 percent of near-shore US coastline is classified as high-hazard

• These areas home to:

– 1.3 million people – $300 billion in residential property

• 23 of 25 most populous US counties are along coasts Arkema, et al., “Coastal habitats shield people and property from sea-level rise and storms,” Nature

Climate Change, 2013

Figure from Arkema, et al. 2013, Coastal habitats shield people and property from sea-level rise and storms, Nature Climate Change, 14 July, 2013

Natural Assets and Coastal Protection

9 Types of Coastal Habitats Can Reduce Risks – Coastal forests – Coral reefs – Oyster reefs – Sea grass beds – Emergent marsh – Kelp forests – Low and High Dunes – Intertidal aquatic vegetation

Arkema, et al., Nature Climate Change, 2013

Dune Protection: Rockaway Peninsula

With Dune—56th Street (Before)

56th Street (After)

Dune Protection: Rockaway Peninsula

Without Dune-94th Street (Before)

Without Dune (After)

ARRA & NOAA Supported TNC to build 1.5 miles of oyster reef--Alabama

Oyster Reef Restoration Benefits

Two oyster reef projects—Mobile, Alabama

– 51-90% reduction in wave height

– 76-99% reduction in wave energy

– Enhanced fisheries Tom Kruger, TNC, “Dollars and Sense: Economic Benefits and Impacts from two Oyster Reef Restoration Projects in the Northern Gulf of Mexico,” May 2012.