Managing coastal erosion hazards in Maine

ABSTRACT

Natural processes cause hazards when shoreline recession or flooding threatens coastal development. Change of the coastline itself is not hazardous until something of value is threatened. The major causes of coastal hazards are storm surge, sea-level rise, erosion, and inlet migration. In recent decades human activity has become a major cause of coastal erosion. Coastal Maine sea levels can become elevated one meter (three feet) under a storm's center and may persist for the duration of the storm. This elevation is superimposed on and is independent of the tides. The threat of coastal flooding and erosion is greatest when a storm surge is superimposed on spring or perigean high tides. The recognition of coastal hazards from erosion and flooding is useful in directing public policy that may reduce the loss of property and life. Erosion rates could be used to determine a setback line in coastal sand dunes. New development could be concentrated landward of one or more setback lines in order to reduce future losses