8 - A Locally Based Program for Beach and Dune Restoration

Summary

Chapter 8 identifies the rationale and components of an integrated, locally based program for increasing the number, size, and cumulative benefits of natural environments in developed municipalities. Elements include (1) getting stakeholders to accept natural landforms and habitats as appropriate elements in a developed coastal landscape; (2) identifying environmental indicators and target reference conditions for new restoration sites using characteristics of nearby natural enclaves; (3) establishing demonstration sites to evaluate the positive and negative effects of return to a more dynamic system; (4) developing guidelines and protocols for restoring and managing landforms and habitats; and (5) developing education programs to establish an appreciation for naturally functioning landscape components. Suggestions are also made for managing litter and wrack, grading landforms, controlling vehicles on the beach, managing access paths across dunes, reducing structures on beaches and dunes, using vegetation for landscaping private lots, establishing programs for monitoring and adaptive management, and developing compatible legislation.