The Beach Replenishment Project

By Eva Piper and Madeline Perchiniak (+ many more)

OUR PROBLEM

Beach Replenishment. It might not sound like much, but in reality, it's a big problem in Delaware. Countless beaches worldwide are affected by this issue, but one specific beach caught our eye; the Indian River Inlet. This beach’s dunes have been breached by the ocean, causing mass amounts of water to be spilled onto the road behind it. Not only has this caused major traffic problems, but the beach has also degraded to little to no beach area. This has caused local skimmers, surfers, and beach-goers to be unable to visit this beach. As I said, multiple beaches face this problem, so imagine a world without beaches if we cannot replenish them.

Now, beach replenishment is not even at the top of the list of problems in Delaware, and instead, it is quite low. My group and I initially chose this problem because we loved the Indian River beach, but we unveiled many things when we took a closer look at the problem. 

Diving into the first aspect of this problem, money. Sure, Delaware has put money aside for this specific problem, but more is needed for a permanent fix instead of a temporary one. A temporary solution will not help us in the long run and may instead make it more difficult to complete the beach once again, draining even more money. What we need, and what this project is bringing to light, is a permanent solution. 

This coast is beloved by many, and a myriad of beach-goers will be devastated if this becomes a permanent issue. For example, we spoke to Ashley Lehman about her opinion: “It makes me feel frustrated and angry.  This is a fixable problem and if the pump had been fixed four years ago when it broke, we probably wouldn’t be in this situation now.  Now, it is more complicated because it’s not only a DNREC issue but also a DelDOT issue, and possibly the Army Corps of Engineers will need to get involved as well.” 

As of now, DNREC has started replenishing the dunes and fixing the pump, which is great. Our group has now shifted its focus from the beach to the water, where the strong waves are continuously washing away the beach and flooding onto the road. One obvious way to fix that is a jetty, but we think a better-looking idea that could gain money back is a pier, which could also help. We will go into further detail about that in alternatives. 

Fixing this beach is not an option, it's a necessity. If we push this problem back for years and years, it will never improve and will be harder to fix. It will not be easy, but it will be possible.

ALTERNATIVE ONE:

LEAVE IT BE

While this alternative might seem unfavorable, the first option is to do nothing. Not only would this be uncostly, but it would let Earth be Earth. We really cannot do much to stop the earth's course, and by doing nothing, we would just enable the earth to do its thing.

Yes, it would upset many surfers who have taken a liking to the inlet over the years, but looking at the situation from the Earth’s perspective, there are different beaches. Losing the inlet would be a big hit, but it would most likely be the best alternative in talking about preventing harm to the planet. 

Doing nothing can sometimes sound like a cop-out, but in reality, it can be a realistic choice. There would be no traffic, no tax raise for the surrounding citizens, and no mass amount of money spent. Thinking into the future, some adjustments to the road are more than realistic, but for now, it would not be a terrible option. Wildlife would take over, and it could even possibly become a safe space for animals of all kinds to reside. 

Supporting the wildlife is a massive worry concluding how to fix the inlet, and with this idea, that box gets checked. A huge commercial project would send stress through the groups of animals, and they would be forced to move. When thinking of the best alternative to fix this, people oftentimes only think of what is in the community's favor, and not the animals. 

This option would be delightful for the animals, but there is one major problem; flooding. If the waves fully breach the dunes and nothing stops them, there will undoubtedly be floods. Flooding can be extremely dangerous and cause damage like knocking out an entire community. If we were to just leave the beach alone, this could be life-threatening as there are many campsites and homes near the inlet. These citizens would be in constant fear of flooding and would spend day to day not knowing the verdict.  

We believe that this is a feasible option, but would most likely need to be accompanied by one of our other alternatives. If we left the beach alone, it would need higher dunes or a higher road, and well, that would not be leaving it alone. 

There are downsides to everything in the world, and unfortunately in this scenario, the downsides overpower the benefits. 

Doing nothing to the inlet is a standing alternative, but looking into the future, it is not the best one.  

ALTERNATIVE TWO:

A PIER

As I previously mentioned, a pier is our most favorable idea. 

• Purpose

Seeing as waves are the cause of the situation, a smart move would be to do something about them. A pier would break waves and reduce the power of the water. The wave pattern is too strong for the beach to hold, so a pier would accurately replicate a jetty.

• Additions

Our group thinks this alternative would not only solve the problem but also gain back a lot of money if we add some activities or parts to the bridge. Fishing on the dock would be a given, so a fish and bait shop on the bridge could provide for consumers. It could also double as

a food and drink stand to keep tourists and beachgoers happy. Some more impractical ideas would be boat tours off the side of the bridge. Kids would love a floating blob park as shown in a photo in policy. Any tiny shops, for example, a little Brouseabout Books or Rehobeth Toy & Kite Company. Lastly, a floating dock just off the end of the pier with steps going down would allow surfers to catch some waves still. The options would also increase tourism and therefore gain back lost money.

• Possible Setbacks

Budget is obviously a problem, but if we spend all our money on just reconstructing the dunes year after year, it will be very temporary. A pier would be a more long-term solution which would keep the water at bay and keep the dunes and road safe.

• Money

Pricing depends on the size of the pier. Our group thinks it could go out to about as far as the jetty goes, which is around 600 feet. 

ALTERNATIVE THREE:

ELEVATING THE ROADS

While on the topic of the Indian River Inlet beach breaching, many suggested the idea of elevating the roads or the bridge. While yes, this would undoubtedly fix many of the issues considering the beach, the cost of this option would be more than inconvenient. 

Other beaches have used this idea of raising the roads, but not without a great cost. For example, an Outer Banks beach chose to raise the road near the breaching. This alternative would most likely drag on for a long period, with the addition of taking mass amounts of time to do the act of elevating the roads. It seems like one of the most realistic choices, but in reality, it is not.

Roads are insanely expensive, and to counter the factors of the bridge that goes over the inlet and repaving the standing roads, it would just go up. No traffic would be able to pass through on the bridge, which would severely inconvenience many people. This would be a massive problem as Route 1 is a very busy road for locals and travelers. Months of detours are not in anyone's favor and would not please the majority. 

Accompanying the former problems, rebuilding these roads would mean finding people willing to spend their days fixing the road. This would only contribute to the money spent, and drag out the process even more.

If this alternative were to be chosen, our best guess is that it would be accompanied by another alternative like raising the dunes to try to prevent flooding. This is not the worst alternative to be suggested but we believe that it is not the best one. 

POLICY:

A PIER

After consideration and input from responders to our forms and emails, our group unanimously decided that building a pier was addressing the genesis. 

Not only would a pier solve the harsh, powerful waves that are stripping the beach, but it would also provide a safe and fun environment for citizens and tourists.

To pay off the price of building and materials, we have collected a couple of ideas:

• Fundraisers

• Auctions

• Events

• Sponsors

Other ideas which could be added to the project are:

• Small shops

• Bait and tackle store (for fishers)

• A floating dock at the end allows surfing

• Floating blob water park (just for some fun!)

• Boat tours

• Live music

Those could also help pay off the price, along with attracting more visitors to the park, in turn gaining more park memberships.

It would come out to as far as the jetty, and the end would split into a “T” shape for maximum swell breakage.

Regulations for building the pier include:

2.6.3 Overwater Structures. Restaurants, decks, residences, or appurtenances that extend over subaqueous lands, but which are not dependent upon water access for their primary purpose, shall not be authorized by these Regulations.

2.6.6 Dockominiums. No real property consisting of a pier, dock, boat slip, or anchorage over public subaqueous lands shall be declared as a unit in a common interest community. The section shall not prohibit the classification of such structures as common amenities of a condominium or planned community.

2.7 Other Projects. No other project that may potentially impact the public interest in the use of tidal or navigable waters, contribute to water pollution, infringe upon the rights of the public, infringe on the rights of private owners, or make connection with public subaqueous lands, shall be undertaken on public or private subaqueous lands unless approval has been obtained from the Department.

2.4.2.10 Repair and replacement of existing serviceable structures over private subaqueous lands (letter of authorization), except no permit or letter is required for repairs or structural replacements which are above the mean low tide and which do not increase any dimensions or change the use of the structure.

PLAN OF ACTION:

A PIER

Our first step was interviewing the assistant superintendent at Delaware Seashore State Park, Dana Schaefer. She helped us significantly with understanding the situation and what DNREC and the park are doing to repair it. Thank you, Mrs. Schaefer!

We made models (shown on the board) of what we imagined the beach could look like. Lots of surveys and emails later, we knew the pier was the best idea.

Desired Outcome

We would love it if DNREC, the park, the American Corps, etc. would possibly consider our idea. We have worked very hard over the past few weeks to gather data. Even if this plan doesn’t work out at this time, it could still be a great idea for any future problems. 

Our group would be more than happy to organize a fundraiser or any other ideas to raise money for the beach. We love this beach and we don’t want to see it go.

Reflection

This project has been a fun (and sometimes stressful) journey. Every member of the project has put time into making this a possibility.

Steps

If anyone of importance in the matter sees this, as we have explained in alternatives and policy, we have many ideas and plans for constructing the likelihood of making a difference at Indian River. 

Step #1: Prices

While we have yet to figure out how much it will cost, we would love to know more information about construction and supplies pricing. We also are wondering what the price range right now and in the future is. Our research has found a South Carolina pier called Folly Beach Pier. It stretches 1049 (much more than our desired length) and costs $14 million, so that could be some form of reference.

Step #2: Construction

The price of construction also depends on the size of the bridge. 

Step #3: Additions

Our additional ideas are in policy. These would earn back money and make it more fun for families and beachgoers.