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Ecological Footprint of Flood Mitigation Structures at the

Eduardo Garcia Rowan University

MacKenzie Carr Rowan University

Jason Loeffler Rowan University

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Garcia, Eduardo; Carr, MacKenzie; and Loeffler, Jason, "Ecological Footprint of Flood Mitigation Structures at the Absecon Inlet" (2018). Student Research Symposium Posters. 2. https://rdw.rowan.edu/student_symposium/2018/apr20/2

This Poster is brought to you for free and open access by the Conferences, Events, and Symposia at Rowan Digital Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Student Research Symposium Posters by an authorized administrator of Rowan Digital Works. Ecological Footprint of Flood Mitigation Structures at the Absecon Inlet

Advised by: Jagadish Torlapati MacKenzie Carr, Eduardo Garcia, and Jason Loeffler Rowan University, Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering

Introduction Impact of Storms at the Absecon Inlet Economic and Social Impact Table 1: Atlantic City Storm History 5 The potential economic impacts that should be The communities along the shoreline have suffered significant storm damage and are at risk to Table 1 lists the tropical storms and hurricanes that have directly Storm Name Year Classification considered are: changes to property values, the suffer further damages from coastal storms. The Coastal Storm Damage Reduction project, impacted Atlantic City in the last 50 years. A tropical storm is a Jose 2017 Hurricane high capital cost of seawall construction along shown in Figure 1, grew out of a larger US Army Corps study of shore protection along the entire coast of system of thunderstorms characterized by surface circulation Andrea 2013 Tropical Storm and sustained winds with speeds of 39-73 mph. Hurricanes are with recurrent maintenance costs, erosion impacts New Jersey. The project is designed to reduce storm damages to infrastructure caused by waves, high tides, on adjacent properties, and loss of beach access. and storm surges. The Absecon site is a 1,340 feet stretch of shore line from Oriental Avenue to Atlantic Sandy 2012 Hurricane considered to be intense, cyclonic weather systems due to the Irene 2011 Tropical Storm formation of low depression areas with the wind speed The potential social impacts are: reduced Avenue. The $32.5 million contract includes the construction of a steel sheet pile bulkhead located between recreational beach amenity, change in surfing Melrose and Oriental Avenues, boardwalk reconstruction behind the seawall, and the repair of jetties in order Hanna 2008 Tropical Storm exceeding 74 mph. These storms have caused flooding, beach Charley 2004 Tropical Storm erosion, structural damage, and power outages which resulted in amenity, and public safety risks from the seawall to maintain the current inlet dynamics while creating a more resilient shore protection feature to combat (wave overtopping due to hard and smooth Isabel 2003 Hurricane infrastructure damage and economic declines. Figures 6 and 7 future storms. The goal of this clinic is to study the ecological footprint of flood structures along with the structures). The new boardwalk will feature a Floyd 1999 Tropical Storm below show the damage Hurricane Sandy caused the Atlantic economic and social impacts. An ecological footprint is a way to measure the impact on the environment. pedestrian and biking amenity to make up for the Bertha 1996 Tropical Storm City shoreline. loss of the beach. The new boardwalk along with Felix 1995 Hurricane 11 Location the casino industry should maintain the area’s Figure 9: Plan for new boardwalk featuring pedestrian and biking amenity Danielle 1992 Tropical Storm tourism resulting in social and economic benefits. Charley 1986 Hurricane Gloria 1985 Hurricane

Belle 1976 Hurricane Ecological Impact Agnes 1972 Tropical Storm Figure 10 shows the Doria 1971 Tropical Storm ecological map of the species and habitats in and The Atlantic City casinos have only closed 4 times in around the Absecon Inlet. 6 Figure 6: Conditions during Hurricane Sandy 7 We used this map to the history of legalized gambling. One of the closures was due to a government shutdown, but the other three determine the potential were caused by storms, specifically Sandy, Irene, and ecological impact of the Gloria. Hurricane Gloria caused the loss of $7 million seawall on the surrounding Figure 3: The average household income of Atlantic area. The smooth structures City is between $20,000 and $25,000 while Brigantine’s in casino revenue in September 1985. Hurricane Sandy Figure 1: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers entire shoreline is between $50,000 and $55,000.3 caused Atlantic City to lose $25 million due to casino have limited potential to protection project 1 provide habitat for aquatic closures alone. Tropical Storm Irene caused an life, so we had to develop a estimated $45 million loss of casino business. Although Irene wasn’t as destructive as Sandy, it occurred in zone of influence to find August during one of the busiest weekends of the year out which habitats would be directly affected. Our while Sandy occured in the middle of October. Figure 7: Conditions before construction 8 zone is 5 miles inland from Figure 10: Environmental Sensitivity Index Map for Absecon Inlet

the project site because it includes the majority of birds and fish that live in the area and they are the ecology most affected by seawalls. The species within the 5 mile zone are: Least tern (3), American Oystercatcher

Table 2: Alternatives Considered 9 (15), Forster’s tern (22), Common tern (62), Blue Heron (67), and Caspian tern (70). An estimated 260 acres

Nonstructural Methods No action Table 2 contains a list of non structural and of remnant beach and dune habitat located along the northern edge of the inlet are extremely important for Evacuation from the areas subject to erosion and storm structural alternatives considered by the U.S. Army breeding and migrating birds. It also serves as feeding ground for birds at low tide and fish at high tide. damage Corps of Engineers. The alternatives were evaluated Because this feeding ground was only accessible 8 to 10 hours a day depending on tidal conditions and with Figure 4: The demographics on either side of the Inlet (% Regulation of future development to identify the alternative that was technically several other larger feeding grounds in the area, this loss of feeding ground is considered a minor ecological white). Atlantic City is 35% white, 45% black, 8% asian, 8% effective, environmentally sound, and economically impact overall. The conservation of the American Oystercatcher, recognized as a species of special concern, hispanic, and 4% other, while Brigantine is 99% white and 1% Structural Methods Offshore Detached Breakwater 2 12 Figure 2: Map showing the location of Absecon Inlet 3 could be a potential issue. Another impact is the marshlands that may be covered by sand over time with other. Submerged Reef most beneficial. The top 3 choices for the location would have been beachfill with groins, beachfill passive erosion from the site of construction. Armoring of all types prevents the natural retreat of the The Absecon Inlet, shown in Figure 2, is a narrow strait located in Atlantic City on the southeastern coast of Offshore Submerged Feeder Berm with dunes and the project that was selected which shoreline over time, causing passive erosion. Passive erosion results in the drowning of a beach in front of the New Jersey. The Absecon Inlet leads from the Atlantic Ocean through the barrier islands in Atlantic County. Beach Dewatering is a combination of riprap, groins and a bulkhead. structure while adjacent unarmored coastline migrates landward. The Absecon Inlet is bordered by Atlantic City’s high density development to the south and by Brigantine’s Lengthen the Longport Terminal Groin Each of these would protect the houses and dense residential development to the north. Figures 4 and 5 show the differences in income and diversity businesses along the Atlantic City side of the inlet between the bordering cities. The Atlantic City side is receiving the seawall mostly due to the north side Seawall Conclusion while still having minimal effect on the ecology being hit worse with storms and Brigantine’s richer community wanting to keep their large beach. Beachfill with Bulkheads around the inlet. While the one that was selected Absecon Island has historically been hit hard with coastal storms. The extensive damage to the Beachfill with Groins was not the most environmentally sound it is boardwalk, bulkheads, buildings, and roads resulting from storms emphasized their need to install shore Economy Beachfill with Dunes expected to be the most resilient. protection measures. A feasibility study that considered different flood mitigation structures was conducted. Tourism is one of the most important and beneficial Beachfill only The objectives of the project were to reduce flooding damage, benefit economically, and preserve the local

industries of Atlantic City’s with up 30 million Relocation of the Boardwalk habitats. visitors every year. Atlantic City’s seven casinos have We have concluded that the project being constructed is the best choice for the area. Damages from Lengthen Brigantine jetty a combined $3.7 billion per year economy. $2.4 storms commonly fall into three categories: erosion, wave attack, and flooding. The partially completed billion of this comes from gambling, while the other Realign the Absecon Inlet channel seawall has already been proven to reduce these damages by holding back the unusually high tides that have $1.3 billion is from hotel rooms, amenities, nightlife, occured during a few storms this winter. In addition to the seawall, sand dunes and jetties are being Evaluating the Seawall restaurants, and shopping. According to a report constructed. These structures will protect the surrounding houses and businesses while having minimal posted by City-Data, the businesses in Atlantic City Pros Cons impact on the surrounding ecology. The native animals should be able to continue using their local nesting

have gained $6 to $8 million per year back into the ● Protection against ● High capital cost and feeding grounds, but it will probably disturb the breeding and mating for birds. city’s economy, creating more jobs. The current wave damage ● Frequent maintenance The main concern is the conservation of two bird species that can be seen at the Inlet: the Black Skimmer unemployment rate is 7.4% which is almost half of ● Can be constructed ● Can accelerate beach and the American Oystercatcher, which are listed as endangered and a special concern, respectively. The Figure 5: Graph of Unemployment rate 4 what it was in January 2013, two months after in small spaces erosion when waves hit elevated levels of human activity at the Inlet may cause colony abandonment, lower nesting success, and 10 hurricane Sandy. ● Beach access is lost Figure 8: Conditions during construction increased predation risk. Nest enclosures and fencing could help to protect birds during the breeding season.

References 1 Watson, Keith. “New Protection, Brigantine Inlet to Great Egg Harbor Inle.” Philadelphia District, US Army Corps of Engineers, 23 June 2014www.nap.usace.army.mil/Missions/Factsheets/Fact-Sheet-Article-View/Article/490776/new-jersey-shore-protection-brigantine-inlet-to-great-egg-harbor-inlet-absecon/. 2 Google. “Absecon Inlet Map.” Google Earth, Retrieved March 9, 2018, from https://earth.google.com/web/ 3 City-Data. “Atlantic City, New Jersey.” Atlantic City, New Jersey (NJ) Profile: Population, Maps, Real Estate, Averages, Homes, Statistics, Relocation, Travel, Jobs, Hospitals, Schools, Crime, Moving, Houses, News, Sex Offenders, Retrieved March 21, 2018, from www.city-data.com/city/Atlantic-City-New-Jersey.html. 4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Unemployment Rate in Atlantic County, NJ.” FRED, Economic Research, 4 Apr. 2018, https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NJATLA2URN 5 Hurricane City. “Atlantic City, New Jersey's History with Tropical Systems.” Atlantic City,New Jersey Hurricanes, Hurricane City, Retrieved March 21, 2018, from www.hurricanecity.com/city/atlanticcity.htm. 6 CBS New York. “AC Casinos Shut Down By Hurricane For Second Time In Just Over A Year.” CBS New York, CBS New York, 27 Oct. 2012, http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/27/ac-casinos-shut-down-by-hurricane-for-second-time-in-just-over-a-year/ 7 Rogers, Abby. “Absecon Island Was Completely Underwater During Hurricane Sandy.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 30 Oct. 2012, www.businessinsider.com/absecon-island-during-hurricane-sandy-2012-10. 8 Ullman, Whitney. “Atlantic City's Garden Pier Re-Opens after Damage Caused by Hurricane Sandy.” NJ.com, 17 June 2014, www.nj.com/atlantic-city-entertainment/index.ssf/2014/06/atlantic_citys_garden_pier_re-opens_after_damage_caused_by_hurricane_sandy.html. 9 US Army Corps of Engineers. “Absecon Island Coastal Storm Risk Reduction Project.” Planning Behind the Project, 2004, http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Portals/39/docs/Civil/Absecon/Absecon_Brochure_Update_PlanningProcess1.pdf 10 US Army Corps of Engineers. “PHOTO: Absecon Inlet Work Continues to Progress.” Dredging Today, USACE, Retrieved March 15, 2018, from www.dredgingtoday.com/2017/07/25/photo-absecon-inlet-work-continues-to-progress/. 11 Gee, Brendan. “Atlantic City Awarded Grants In Boardwalk Construction.” NBC 10 Philadelphia, NBC 10 Philadelphia, 16 June 2017, www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Atlantic-City-Awarded-Grants-In-Boardwalk-Construction-428897883.html. 12 NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife. “Absecon Inlet.” Audubon, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Bureau of Land, 9 Mar. 2018, www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas/absecon-inlet.