Evaluation of the costs and benefits of natural and grey infrastructures for the protection of the Lake Erie shoreline

Zhe Luo, Deborah Beck, Scudder D. Mackey

In the proceedings of: GeoSt. John's 2019: 72nd Canadian Geotechnical Conference

Session: Professional Practice/Case Studies

ABSTRACT: Approximately 75% of Ohio Lake Erie shoreline is protected by grey infrastructures (such as seawalls and breakwaters), which can alter natural coastal processes and disrupt coastal ecosystems. Recently, natural infrastructures providing a more natural/sustainable shoreline environment have attracted interest in the coastal engineering community. However, a lack of research-based evidence demonstrating the long-term benefits of using natural infrastructures has limited their use and promotion. This study evaluates costs/benefits for adopting natural versus grey infrastructures to protect Lake Erie shorelines. A cost-benefit analysis comparing three natural infrastructures (vegetated sand dunes, beach nourishment, and living shorelines) and five grey infrastructures (seawalls, breakwaters, groins, bulkheads and revetments) provides a quantitative understanding of the long-term costs/benefits associated with each approach. A survey of local professionals shows the advantages of natural infrastructures in terms of cost savings and environmental/ecological protection.

RÉSUMÉ: digues et môles), données factuelles démontrant les avantages à long terme sont limitant leur utilisation et promotion. Cette étude Une analyse coûts-avantages a été utilisée pour comparer trois infrastructures naturelles (dunes de sable végétalisées, restauration de plages à l'aide de sable, et rivages vivants) et cinq infrastructures artificielles (digues, môles, murets, cloisons et revêtements) afin de fournir une compréhension quantitative des coûts et des avantages à long terme de infrastructures naturelles en termes de réduction des coûts et de protection de l'environnement.

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