16
S.D.King
Summary
The emphasis now placed on the concept of sediment cells as boundaries for coastal
defence groups, and the development of SMPs, should help CPAs realise the
importance of natural processes at the coast when designing defence and protection
schemes. However, this will only be the case where defence groups exist, and where
CPAs take up the challenge of developing SMPs.
Coastal landscapes have been produced by the natural forces of wind, waves
and tides, and many are nationally or internationally important for their habitats and
natural features. Past practices at the coast, such as the construction of harbours, jetties
and traditional defence systems may have contributed to the deterioration of the coast.
English Nature (1992) have argued that if practices and methods of coastal defence are
allowed to continue, then coastlines would be faced with worsening consequences,
including:
The loss of mudflats and the birds which live on them
Damage to geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and scenic
heritage by erosion, due to the stabilisation of the coast elsewhere
Cutting of sediment supplies to beaches resulting in the loss of coastal wildlife
Cessation through isolation from coastal processes, of the natural operation of
spits, with serious deterioration of rare plants, animals and geomorphological
and scenic qualities (English Nature, 1992)
A number of designations, provided by national and international legislation
do exist to aid conservation. One of the most important in Britain is the SSSI
“widely considered to be the cornerstone of conservation in Great Britain”
(DoE, 1993, p. 71)
Coastal conservation is a contentious and problematic issue. This is a broader
issue common to nearly all coasts, particularly those that are mainly undeveloped. The
problem the coastal manager faces here is how to balance the needs of the local
community and the wishes of conservation groups, within the current legislation.
Defence, protection and conservation are all-important issues in their own
right, however, they are in themselves not necessarily management. Integrated coastal
zone management brings these three issues together in an attempt to use the coast
wisely, provide sustainable development and maintain biodiversity. Yet, in Britain at
least, this is still only a political ideal to which there is, at the moment, no perfect
solution.
Coastal zone management has become, in recent years, a very prominent issue,
in the UK. This is demonstrated by the literature available, including the Department of
the Environment (DoE) review of coastal management and planning (1993), Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods publications to guide Local Authorities in shoreline
defence, conservation and management (1993, 1995, 1996), and a study by Healy and
Doody (1995) on coastal management in Europe, many of whose examples come from
the UK.
Whilst it is important to be aware of the national policies surrounding coastal
management, it is no less essential to make a local study to give detail on how national
S.D.King
Summary
The emphasis now placed on the concept of sediment cells as boundaries for coastal
defence groups, and the development of SMPs, should help CPAs realise the
importance of natural processes at the coast when designing defence and protection
schemes. However, this will only be the case where defence groups exist, and where
CPAs take up the challenge of developing SMPs.
Coastal landscapes have been produced by the natural forces of wind, waves
and tides, and many are nationally or internationally important for their habitats and
natural features. Past practices at the coast, such as the construction of harbours, jetties
and traditional defence systems may have contributed to the deterioration of the coast.
English Nature (1992) have argued that if practices and methods of coastal defence are
allowed to continue, then coastlines would be faced with worsening consequences,
including:
The loss of mudflats and the birds which live on them
Damage to geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and scenic
heritage by erosion, due to the stabilisation of the coast elsewhere
Cutting of sediment supplies to beaches resulting in the loss of coastal wildlife
Cessation through isolation from coastal processes, of the natural operation of
spits, with serious deterioration of rare plants, animals and geomorphological
and scenic qualities (English Nature, 1992)
A number of designations, provided by national and international legislation
do exist to aid conservation. One of the most important in Britain is the SSSI
“widely considered to be the cornerstone of conservation in Great Britain”
(DoE, 1993, p. 71)
Coastal conservation is a contentious and problematic issue. This is a broader
issue common to nearly all coasts, particularly those that are mainly undeveloped. The
problem the coastal manager faces here is how to balance the needs of the local
community and the wishes of conservation groups, within the current legislation.
Defence, protection and conservation are all-important issues in their own
right, however, they are in themselves not necessarily management. Integrated coastal
zone management brings these three issues together in an attempt to use the coast
wisely, provide sustainable development and maintain biodiversity. Yet, in Britain at
least, this is still only a political ideal to which there is, at the moment, no perfect
solution.
Coastal zone management has become, in recent years, a very prominent issue,
in the UK. This is demonstrated by the literature available, including the Department of
the Environment (DoE) review of coastal management and planning (1993), Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods publications to guide Local Authorities in shoreline
defence, conservation and management (1993, 1995, 1996), and a study by Healy and
Doody (1995) on coastal management in Europe, many of whose examples come from
the UK.
Whilst it is important to be aware of the national policies surrounding coastal
management, it is no less essential to make a local study to give detail on how national