Florida accounts for one-fourth of the nation’s recreational boating activity and the number of boaters plying coastal waterways has increased at a rate that eclipses overall population growth. As demand for access to and use of waterways increases, so does the need for enhanced environmental protection and increased public safety and education. However, information available…
The historical analysis provides cartographic evidence of predevelopment conditions and traces waterway development over the last century. This evaluation of change serves as a fundamental guide to coastal communities in formulating management policies and programs. Two examples of benefits provided by the analysis include the documentation of dredging history for residential waterways, access channels and…
Many of the issues affecting coastal residents and marine ecosystems are regional in scope, crossing the borders of many states. In the southeastern USA, examples of major regional issues include: protecting coastal communities from hurricanes; understanding the risk of sea-level rise and developing effective adaptation strategies; predicting the occurrence and impacts of harmful algal blooms;…