Sand Fencing: An Integral Part of Protecting Our Coastal Regions

In light of Hurricane Sandy's devastation last September, much attention has turned toward safeguarding areas near the shoreline and other waterways to ensure the protection of people, and the preservation of land and property.  One of the best and first lines of defense against coastal storms and beach erosion are sand dunes. These dunes are natural barriers to the destructive forces of high winds and waves. They absorb the impact of storm surges helping delay, and even prevent, flooding damage to inland areas. Unfortunately, due to increased beach activity during warmer months, pedestrian and vehicle usage wear away the dunes. This deterioration makes inland areas more vulnerable as hurricane season reaches its peak at the conclusion of the summer months. The good news is that steps can be taken to preserve and even build dunes so that inland areas are protected:

• Erect Sand Fencing:  Sand fencing is one of the best and easiest ways to fortify the shoreline. Fencing encourages the drifting and settling of sand behind and in front the fence as the wind speed on both the downwind and windward sides is less than that on the far windward side, allowing light materials such as sand to settle. This creates a pile both in front of and behind the sand fence. The fencing also encourages the growth of beach grass which is integral to the dune's ability to buffer inland areas.  
• Preserve/Plant Beach Grass: Planting what is known as "Cape" American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) is an effective way to stabilize existing dunes and build new dunes along the coastline. It spreads quickly and is simple to plant. It acts by reducing wind velocity near the ground and, much like fencing, traps windblown sand around the grass. The grass is able to grow up through the accumulating sand deposits maintaining it as a protective cover. Beach grass breaks easily, however, and repeated traffic will destroy the plants if proper fencing is not in place to protect it.
• Use Community and Public Crossovers: These crossovers protect the dunes and grass from deterioration which can create breaches and low spots that become channels for floodwaters to move inland. Using these crossovers helps keep the natural barriers intact.
• Spread the Word: Convey to others the crucial nature of sand dunes and their maintenance. Creating an environment of good stewardship goes a long way in protecting our coastal areas so that people can enjoy them for years to come.