Rehoboth Museum offers Beach Replenishment: a Delicate Balancing Act Sept. 21
Beach replenishment, the practice of rebuilding beaches and dunes using sand taken from offshore or another site, is handled by the Army Corps of Engineers, with oversight by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. One DNREC administrator compares beach replenishment to repainting a house every five or so years - a necessary bit of maintenance to protect it from the elements. The dunes and widened beach serve as a barrier between the coastal towns and tourism industry from the powerful waves that surge in passing storms.
The Delaware and federal governments have spent about $34 million and $131 million, respectively, to restore beaches along Delaware's coast with much of the work coming in the past decade.
On Thursday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m., Jenifer Louma from DNREC Division of Watershed Management will appear at the Rehoboth Beach Museum to discuss beach replenishment as well as efforts to use natural methods to preserve beaches. The public is invited to come learn more about this important process.
A $5 donation is suggested for nonmembers. Reservations are required. Call 302-227-7310 to make a reservation. The Rehoboth Beach Museum is located at 511 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach. The program is free for Rehoboth Beach Historical Society members.
