156
R.H. Charlier and Chr. P. De Meyer
Groins were probably built in the United States by private parties to protect their
property, while the Federal Government showed only concern for its own
property. After World War II, both the individual States and the Federal
Government became involved in controlling erosion. According to Per Bruun,
"Structurally the art of coastal protection suffered shortcomings [in the United
States] compared to the low countries in Europe. [...] the difference between the
European low countries lies 'in the scale" and in 'the degree of involvement".
The European is [...] complex ... and the American is relatively simple".
Coastal protection became increasingly a concern for governments during the
mid-18th and 19th centuries. Massive engineering works best characterize the
approach, but in the more recent decades, artificial nourishment has gained in
favor, the more so since cost assessments and improved techniques make it an
attractive alternative.
1
Introduction
Coastal erosion, of beach and cliff alike, is not only the result of a complex
interaction of natural processes, it is furthered, markedly, by man's actions. The
so-called anthropic factor takes several aspects. It results from a general
migration towards coasts and ensuring demands for space and habitat. The
explosion of tourism and water-related recreation has increased the stress placed
on the coastal zone. A search for easily accessible materials, sand and gravel, has
contributed to exploitation of marine aggregates. Marine coastal mining has
come of age. Railroads and highways have been built close to shorelines. Dunes
have been bulldozed to accommodate developments. It has been reported that not
a single stretch of the Italian coastline has been left unmodified by man.
Railroad trestles across gullies and cations, or crossing channels, can be built to
span channels without altering much drainage patterns (example A.T. and S. RR
along the California coas0. However, when highway construction requires
installation of culverts to control surface runoff, consequences are considerable as
erosion of gullies is intensified. In California new canyons were cut as a result.
Bluffs can be degraded by cuts made in rocks or drain pipes laid along former
drainage paths. Bluff-top grading for construction, removal of protective
vegetation and case-hardening surface materials affect erosion progress.
R.H. Charlier and Chr. P. De Meyer
Groins were probably built in the United States by private parties to protect their
property, while the Federal Government showed only concern for its own
property. After World War II, both the individual States and the Federal
Government became involved in controlling erosion. According to Per Bruun,
"Structurally the art of coastal protection suffered shortcomings [in the United
States] compared to the low countries in Europe. [...] the difference between the
European low countries lies 'in the scale" and in 'the degree of involvement".
The European is [...] complex ... and the American is relatively simple".
Coastal protection became increasingly a concern for governments during the
mid-18th and 19th centuries. Massive engineering works best characterize the
approach, but in the more recent decades, artificial nourishment has gained in
favor, the more so since cost assessments and improved techniques make it an
attractive alternative.
1
Introduction
Coastal erosion, of beach and cliff alike, is not only the result of a complex
interaction of natural processes, it is furthered, markedly, by man's actions. The
so-called anthropic factor takes several aspects. It results from a general
migration towards coasts and ensuring demands for space and habitat. The
explosion of tourism and water-related recreation has increased the stress placed
on the coastal zone. A search for easily accessible materials, sand and gravel, has
contributed to exploitation of marine aggregates. Marine coastal mining has
come of age. Railroads and highways have been built close to shorelines. Dunes
have been bulldozed to accommodate developments. It has been reported that not
a single stretch of the Italian coastline has been left unmodified by man.
Railroad trestles across gullies and cations, or crossing channels, can be built to
span channels without altering much drainage patterns (example A.T. and S. RR
along the California coas0. However, when highway construction requires
installation of culverts to control surface runoff, consequences are considerable as
erosion of gullies is intensified. In California new canyons were cut as a result.
Bluffs can be degraded by cuts made in rocks or drain pipes laid along former
drainage paths. Bluff-top grading for construction, removal of protective
vegetation and case-hardening surface materials affect erosion progress.