An expert insists that a massive coastal engineering project in a National Park should consider different environmental impacts than a similar project along developed coastline.
Graham T. Beck writes of scientific opposition to plans by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state’s congressional delegation to spend $207 million dredging sand off of New York’s Fire Island to spread along beaches and dunes.
An ambitious plan, to be sure, but Robert S. Young, professor of coastal geology and the director of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines at Western Carolina University, argues that the plan might not even work. Professor Young is quoted in the story: "The project does not provide the storm damage mitigation and storm-surge protection that is promised, or at least the U.S. Geological Survey comments on the plan question the science behind those proposed benefits."
Young claims that the comments on the plan also include concerns that the project might do more environmental harm than good from the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Audubon.
Read the full story: New York’s Plan to Storm-Proof Fire Island Is Deeply Flawed, Says Scientist
Shoreline Plans for Road Expansion
Added traffic lanes, new roundabouts, and limited bike facilities are coming to N 145th Street.
Why Texas's $29 Billion Coastal Protection Plan Is Needed
The Houston Chronicle editorial board argues for the construction of the so-called 'Ike Dike,' but warns that more investment is needed to protect the South Texas coast from future storms.
Federal Storm Surge Study Called Off Suddenly, Leaving New York Exposed
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was on the verge of proposing a plan to protect New York City from storm surges and sea-level rise. Instead, the city of New York has lost federal support for a path toward climate resilience.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Los Angeles just elected an urban planner as its mayor
Transportation analysts are optimistic that Raman will be more aggressive in addressing transit issues than Bass.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority