The study will be modeled closely after the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study (NACCS), a Congressional response and precedent-setting vulnerability and flood risk-reduction study completed for the north Atlantic coastline in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The study will conduct regional analyses of coastal risk and identify initial measures/costs that can address vulnerabilities with emphasis on regional sediment management (RSM) as an actionable strategy to sustainably maintain or enhance current levels of coastal storm risk reduction.
Study Goals
- Provide a Common Operating Picture of Coastal Risk
2. Identify High-Risk Locations and Focus Current and Future Resources
- Enable resources to be focused on the most vulnerable areas.
3. Identify and Assess Risk Reduction Actions
- Assess actions that would reduce risk to vulnerable coastal populations.
- Promote and Support Resilient Coastal Communities
- Ensure a sustainable coastal landscape system, considering future sea level rise scenarios and climate change.
- Provide information to stakeholders to optimize existing efforts to reduce risk.
- Promote Sustainable Projects and Programs
- Develop and provide consistent foundational elements to support coastal studies and projects.
- Regionally manage projects through Regional Sediment Management and other opportunities.
- Leverage Supplemental Actions
- Multiple supplemental studies and construction efforts will inform, and be informed by, the SACS.
Authority
Section 1204, WRDA 2016
- Identify risks and vulnerabilities of [coastal areas within SAD AOR] to increased hurricane and storm damage as a result of sea level rise (SLR).
- (b)(1) Conduct a comprehensive analysis of current coastal storm risk management measures with an emphasis on regional sediment management practices to sustain/enhance current storm protection.
- (b)(3) Recommend measures to address coastal vulnerability of areas affected by SLR.
- (b)(4) Develop a long-term strategy to address increased hurricane/storm damages resulting from SLR and identify opportunities to enhance resiliency and lower risks in –
- populated areas
- areas of concentrated economic development; and
- areas with vulnerable environmental resources
- (c) Submit a report recommending specific and detailed actions.
Statement of Study Area
- Over 65,000 miles of tidally influenced coastline in the South Atlantic Division area of responsibility affected by sea level rise (SLR) where hurricane and storm damages are occurring, or are forecast to occur.
- Areas that are not subject to hurricane and storm damage associated with coastal processes are outside the scope of the study (i.e., areas subject to inland/freshwater flooding).