The Use of Computer Mapping to Establish Historical Erosion Rates and Coastal Cosntruction Setbacks in New Jersey

Mauriello, Mark N.; ,

The Use of Computer Mapping to Establish Historical Erosion Rates and Coastal Cosntruction Setbacks in New Jersey

by Mark N. Mauriello, New Jersey Div of Coastal Resources, Trenton, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '91

Abstract:

New Jersey's Rules on Coastal Zone Management define coastal policies which guide public decisions about significant proposed development and management of resources of New Jersey's coastal zone. These Rules establish criteria for permit decisions under the Coastal Area Facility Review Act, the Waterfront Development Law and the Wetlands Act. One area of increasing regulatory concern, particularly with the prospect of accelerated sea level rise, is the oceanfront zone, which is vulnerable to repeated beach and dune erosion. In an effort to regulate development in this sensitive area, an Erosion Hazard Areas policy was developed and incorporated into the above Rules, as adopted in September 1978. The original policy set forth a procedure for identifying erosion hazard areas along the New Jersey shore, through the use of an aerial photograph comparison technique. However, this technique was limited to a data set which included only two years (1952 and 1971), and essentially represented a simple time/distance measurement of shoreline movement. These data did not provide for a long-term shoreline change evaluation. In an effort to collect more reliable long-term data, and to develop a more effective Erosion Hazard Areas policy, the Division of Coastal Resources obtained a series of historical shoreline change maps, and an associated computer mapping program, which were produced using the metric mapping technique. This technique utilizes the high-speed data processing capabilities of the computer to compile, correct and compare various shoreline data from different years and at different scales. These maps, which meet or exceed National Map Accuracy Standards, are used to establish long-term annual rates of shoreline change and to implement the revised Erosion Hazard Areas policy.

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