Seawalls May Be Harming Beaches

"The gradual erosion of Southern California's majestic coastal bluffs contribute a far greater amount of beach sand than previously thought, according to a university study that may arm environmentalists with a weapon in fighting oceanfront development....the study indicates [that] seawalls may actually reduce an important seashore ingredient â€" sand. The loss of sand is an important issue along the California coastline, where beach cities spend millions of dollars replacing sand that has been swept away. The study was immediately challenged by coastal engineers and seawall advocates who argued that, ultimately, it might be easier to replace beach sand than allow cliff erosion to go unchecked. The findings stand in stark contrast to a long-held assumption that most beach sand comes from rivers and other tributaries that drain into the sea."