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State is losing battle with beach erosion
©Associated Press
July 30, 2002
Florida's beaches are eroding at an alarming rate, despite elaborate regulations and millions of dollars spent on restoration, say scientists, engineers and environmentalists.
Of the 825 miles of sandy shores surrounding the state, 328 miles are being eaten away to the point of threatening buildings.
Shoreline development is driving much of the erosion, and the state's efforts to control it have been too late or ineffective, according to reports by the Pensacola News Journal, Florida Today of Melbourne and the News-Press of Fort Myers. The report included contributions from WTSP-Ch. 10 in St. Petersburg, WJXX and WTLV in Jacksonville and Gannett News Service.
While beach erosion threatens the state's multibillion-dollar tourism industry, few people give it much thought, said Bob Dean, a professor for coastal and oceanographic engineering at the University of Florida.
Florida began regulating coastal construction in 1974, long after many beaches were developed. Since then, the state has denied only 52 permits and allowed 4,913 new homes, condominiums, hotels and other structures on land susceptible to erosion, the report said.
When erosion occurs, Florida pumps sand back onto beaches. Taxpayers have spent more than $886-million on beach nourishment since 1923.
Nourishment advocates such as the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association argue that it is money well spent, because beaches generate $17.7-billion in direct tourist spending every year.
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