The federal government controls coastal management, either as a source of funds, regulations or research to enhance knowledge of this field.
This year Washington plays an even larger role in coastal management as the federal response to the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy - in terms of money and method - could reshape the coastal landscape. Lessons learned from this unique catastrophe and the government response to it is a significant concern for anyone anywhere on U.S. coasts.
The American Shore & Beach Preservation Association Coastal Summit theme this year is "America's Coastal Voice." The conference will feature:
how Hurricane Sandy has changed the coastal landscape with a new federal focus on sustainable communities - and what this may mean to Gasparilla Island.
A first look at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Coastal Engineering Certificate Program.
Panels on sand rights issues, Hurricane Sandy's impacts and response and coordinating environmental regulations on beach projects.
Nearly 55 percent of America's population lives along the coast, a number expected to increase significantly over the next quarter century.Coastal regions attract 180 million tourist visits annually, pumping $260 billion into the U.S. economy, $3 billion into the federal treasury, and support for 15 million American jobs.
The Summit will take place Feb 26-28 at the ASAE Conference Center, 1575 I Street NW, Washington, D.C. Scheduled speakers include officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other coastal nongovernmental organizations and private-sector coastal representatives.
The ASBPA will honor congressional coastal advocates and federal staffers who have been instrumental in the fight to preserve America's beaches.
Beaches voted on by the public as "Best of the Best Restored Beaches" last year will be in a special awards reception on Capitol Hill Feb. 27.
They are:
Top urban beach: West Hampton Dunes, N.Y.;
Top community beach: Navarre Beach (with highest overall vote total; and
Top park/habitat beach: Presque Isle, Pa.
The ASBPA also compiled votes by regional categories with the three top winners excluded:
Northeast beach: East Beach, Norfolk, Va.;
Northwest beaches: Marine Park, Bellingham, Wash.;
Southeast beach: Isle of Palms, S.C.;
Florida Gulf Coast beach: Captiva Island;
Northern and Western Gulf Coast beaches: Corpus Christi, Texas;
South Central Pacific Coast and Hawaii beaches: Kuhio Beach, Waikiki, Hawaii; and
Great Lakes beach: Sunrise Beach Park, Ill.
Panama City was singled out for a special President's Award, thanks to strong community support, which placed them second in the Urban Beach category.
A complete summit agenda is available online at asbpa.org.
