Sunset BeachAlthough the term "regional sediment management" is new, recognition of the regional nature of coastal processes and the regional influence of engineering works is not. The interrelationship between coastal navigation projects and contiguous beaches became a Federal interest at least as early as the 1930s (Brooke 1934).The first sand bypassing systems at navigation projects, designed to reinstate net longshore sand transport to downdrift beaches, were put into operation in the mid-1930s at Santa Barbara, California (mobile plant) (Penfield 1960) and South Lake Worth Inlet, Florida (fixed plant) (Caldwell 1951).What is new today is that the USACE is pursuing RSM by collaborating with local and state governments to manage sediments over regions encompassing multiple projects. 

    In October 1999, the USACE began an RSM demonstration program for the Northern Gulf of Mexico, which is directed by the Mobile District. In November 2000, five additional demonstration sites were initiated: Northeast Florida (Jacksonville District), New Jersey Shore (Philadelphia District), South Shore of Long Island (New York District), Southeast Lake Michigan (Detroit District), and Southern California (South Pacific Division). These demonstration projects will continue through September 2002, with other demonstrations planned to start in late 2002. For more information on the demonstration projects, go to "National Demo Program."

    Sources

    Brooke, Col. Mark M. 1934. "Shore Preservation in Florida," with discussion, Shore and Beach, 2(4), 151-154.

    Caldwell, Joseph M. 1951. "By-passing Sand at South Lake Worth Inlet, Florida," Proceedings 1st Conference on Coastal Engineering, Long Beach, CA, ed. by J.W. Johnson, Council on Wave Research, the Engineering Foundation, 320-325.

    Penfield, Wallace C. 1960. "The Oldest Periodic Beach Nourishment Project," Shore and Beach 28(1), 9-15.