Opinion: 'What's Next After Superstorm Sandy?'
In an opinion piece for CNN, geologists and oceanographers argue, in some cases, for letting nature take its course.
A USGS image shows Waverly Beach on Nov. 5, 2012, a week after Superstorm Sandy knocked dunes flat, send sand washing into the streets and exposed buried geotubes.
USGS
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In their natural state, barrier islands are constantly changing as they're reshaped by wind, waves, tides and sea level. Researchers suggest in a new opinion piece for CNN that we may be fighting a losing battle by developing these islands and rebuilding after storms like Sandy.
Read "What's next after Superstorm Sandy?" on CNN.com.
The opinion is written, in part, by Rob Thieler — a graduate of Mainland Regional High School and former member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol. Thieler is now a research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Woods Hole, Mass.
Sharyn Shields
4:03 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
There is no "may be" about it. As homes are destroyed, they should not be rebuilt. As businesses fail, there should be no redevelopment. Slowly, the islands would go back to their natural or less populated state. Reduction in the need for water treatment, less garbage. The islands could do what they were meant to do: protect the mainland ecosystems. Think of the money saved in beach replenishment plus a healthier bay for not being dredged every year. Also, all the debris that gets washed into the ocean during storms would be less and the ocean and its inhabitants would ultimately be healthier. Just as New Orleans should not have been built on the banks of the Mississippi, the barrier islands should have been left undeveloped - except maybe for parks and the enjoyment of day only beach outings.
Nautigal
6:39 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
Hey Sharyn - I'd like to tell you where you could go live. But I'm a Christian.