Understanding Beach Erosion

What percentage of sandy coastlines in America are experiencing erosion?

• 10 to 20 percent

• 30 to 40 percent

• 50 to 60 percent

• 80 to 90 percent

What is the main strategy used in the United States to protect coastal properties from erosion?

• Building seawalls

• Planting vegetation

• Constructing groynes

• Beach nourishment

How often do beach nourishments need to be repeated on average?

• Every 1 to 2 years

• Every 2 to 8 years

• Every 10 to 15 years

• Every 20 to 25 years

What is the process called where sand is moved from a borrow site to the beach?

• Sand relocation

• Dredging

• Beach nourishment

• Sand mining

Which organization approves and designs beach nourishment projects in the United States?

• Environmental Protection Agency

• Federal Emergency Management Agency

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

• Army Corps of Engineers

What is the main reason poorer communities often do not receive beach nourishment funding?

• Inaccessibility of the beaches

• Lack of political influence

• Lower expected benefit-to-cost ratio

• Insufficient local funds

How much revenue did coastal tourism generate in Florida in 2001?

• $216 billion

• $21.6 billion

• $2.1 billion

• $200 million

What is a major problem with beach nourishment according to the American Geophysical Union?

• It is too expensive

• It causes pollution

• It creates a false sense of security

• It leads to overfishing

What was the state of Miami Beach in the 1970s before beach nourishment?

• Wide and pristine

• Covered in vegetation

• Rocky and steep

• Narrow with a seawall

What is the economic return for every dollar invested in beach nourishment in Florida?

• Less than $1

• $2

• $3

• More than $5