Rivas and Bolos Beaches have become very popular locations for tourists and local people to enjoy the ocean. Both of these beaches parallel Shoreline drive. Rivas beach extends for approximately one mile southeast of the mouth of the Bolos River and Bolos Beach extends for approximately two miles northwest of the Bolos River. Hundreds of cottages line Shoreline Drive near these very popular beaches and the value of these properties has risen sharply.

To meet the demand for vacation real estate in this area, a developer recently obtained a permit to subdivide streamside property along the Bolos River. She plans to build approximately 200 cottages along the banks of the Bolos. Access to these cottages will be by boat.

There is one complication to this rosy picture - erosion. During the past five winters heavy storm waves have severely eroded these beaches. Bolos beach does not show as much loss because it has been replenished by sediment deposited by the Bolos River and swept northwestwards by the longshore current. However, Rivas beach has retreated over 100 feet and now shoreline properties are in a critical situation. Property owners are looking towards local government for assistance.

You have been asked to prepare a presentation for the county planning commission on possible approaches to arresting the erosion problem. They need to know the advantages and disadvantages to using groins, breakwaters, seawalls, revetments or beach nourishment to solve this problem. You are not preparing a cost estimate - that will be done by a contracting company. Your job is to determine which of these methods will best preserve the beachfront and its recreational value - then communicate your findings at a meeting of the county planning commission.

Your first step towards preparing this presentation will be to prepare a handout for the planning commision. This handout should summarizes each of the shoreline preservation methods. Your summary should answer important questions such as:

• What types of structures can be used to control erosion (map or cross sections sketches can be very helpful)?
• Will the quality of swimming and fishing be preserved?
• Will the shape of the shoreline be changed and is that change desirable?
• Are the solutions temporary or permanent?
• Which erosion control method seems to work the best for this situation?

Use the worksheet to get started on this task.