While retreat from the coast may be the safest, and likely inevitable, solution to increasing coastal erosion for many communities, practical and cultural factors come into play that would argue for short-term engineering solutions to buy time, especially for indigenous coastal communities in a permafrost region. Several indigenous communities in Alaska rely upon subsistence hunting that is tied to the sea to foster community cohesiveness and to transfer traditions from generation to generation. Community acceptance of retreat from the coast requires perception of a high probability, significant risk to lives and property to justify such a move. Additionally, expensive and complex infrastructure that supports existence in permafrost regions requires substantial funding and adequate time to rebuild inland. Finally, land exchange schemes for individuals, the village, and the village corporation also need time to be developed, accepted, and implemented.
Dr. Craig Tweedie, University of El Paso, will present recent coastal survey data for the North Slope. Dr. Orson Smith, University of Alaska Anchorage (retired), will present a review of coastal erosion mitigation structures.
General questions for discussion:
What are the best practices for a long-term observing (LTO) network so that it contributes to community understanding and planned response to coastal erosion?
What are the best practices for a LTO network to facilitate community risk perception, tailoring of engineering design of short-term erosion mitigation strategies, and implementation of long-term plans for retreat from the coast?
What are the best strategies for conveying information obtained from a LTO network to the community?
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