| New Coastal Lands Program (CLP) |
On November 20, 1997, the Board of Land and Natural Resources established the
Coastal Lands Program (CLP) within the Land Division. The purpose of the CLP
is to establish a strategic and comprehensive framework to protect and conserve
the state's beaches. This framework is set out in the Coastal Erosion Management
Plan (COEMAP), a joint effort of the Department of Land and Natural Resources
(DLNR) and the University of Hawaii, Department of Geology and Geophysics.
Beach Fact: Florida spends $8.6 million annually
on erosion management.
Three major goals of the CLP
- Develop consensus on the causes and consequences of beach loss for the beaches
of Hawaii.
- Develop agency agreements with respect to coordinating regulatory functions
(i.e., permit streamlining and enforcement) and planning goals with other
state, county and federal agencies.
- Build support for legislative actions needed to implement COEMAP.
The ultimate goal of the CLP is to strike a balance between coastal development
and beach conservation by promoting alternatives to shoreline hardening, such
as beach and dune restoration, coastal lands acquisition and strategic redevelopment.
The CLP will focus its energy on coastal lands where beaches are threatened
because of land management issues associated with erosion.
The CLP will form linkages with federal agencies and community groups and provide
funds for research and planning to support county land management efforts along
the coast.
Reasons to Protect Hawaii's Beaches
- Sandy beaches are the backbone of Hawaii's multi-billion dollar visitor
economy which provides the bulk of the state's jobs and income.
- Hawaiian beaches are tremendously popular around the world and are a leading
tourist destination. The state's economic prosperity is directly linked to
the quality of our beaches.
- Beaches are critical in flood and erosion prevention by serving as a natural
buffer to prevent property damage from storm waves. As beaches narrow and
disappear, shoreline properties become increasingly vulnerable to coastal
hazards.
- Sandy beaches are a part of Hawaii's culture and heritage. All of Hawaii's
beaches are public. They provide enjoyment, ocean access, relaxation, and
spiritual fulfillment to Hawaii's people.
- Beaches and dunes are important elements of our shoreline environment and
are critical to the health of the coastal marine ecosystem.
Beach Fact: At Miami Beach, every $1 invested
annually to nourish the beach returns $700 annually in foreign exchange.
CLP Highlights
- Development of an enforcement strategy to address illegal shoreline structures.
This would include compensation to the state, issuance of revocable easements,
or removal.
- Pursue beach and dune restoration with sand nourishment. This can slow coastal
erosion and restore lost beaches with both flood mitigation and recreational
value. Restoration is a strategy that is successfully used on the mainland,
but has not been widely employed in Hawaii.
- Conduct economic analysis to highlight the value of beaches to our society.
