Florida is popular for its sandy coastline fronting the Atlantic Ocean, known as the Straits of Florida, and Panama City. However, powerful storms, development, and the skyrocketing number of tourists threaten Florida’s beauty by eroding the sand on the beachfront. To maintain the status of its shoreline, Florida utilizes beach renourishment to combat erosion, habitat, and environmental degradation. Since 1998, the federal and Florida local governments have dedicated more than $ 932 million to beach renourishment (FDEP, 2022). Despite the high cost, beach renourishment is critical for Florida beaches to maintain the serene environment and Florida’s economy.
Florida’s beaches are the major source of tourist attraction hence revenue for the state. As a result, an extensive beach renourishment program provides feasible solutions to maintain the ecosystem, create inhabitancy for threatened species, and augment the coastline for recreation (FDEP, 2022). Beach erosion would result in loss of habitats for coastal plants and wildlife, wetland and coastal plain flooding, coastal slope, and reduced beach width. Beach renourishment adds large quantities of sand to the shoreline to protect against storms and prevent erosion, thereby enlarging the coast width. Furthermore, numerous plant and animal species rely upon the beaches, dunes, and coastline habitation that develop a ravishing environment that attracts tourists.
Other than environmental significance, Florida’s beach is an integral part of the state’s economy and should be maintained by all means. Florida hosts over 19 million tourists annually, yielding significantly high revenues, GDP, and investment opportunities (FDEP, 2022). By barricading storm waves, beach renourishment minimizes potential fiscal and ecological losses from the waves surge. Florida beach is a crucial economic and natural resource that requires regular renourishment to maintain its value.
Reference
FDEP. (2022). Beaches funding program. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Web.