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Erosion (Beach) — Hazard Identification. Beach erosion is the wearing away of land and the removal of beach or dune sediments by wave action, tidal currents, wave currents, drainage or high winds. The wave climate impacting Indian River County's 22.4 miles of shoreline has contributed to the long term erosion of the County's barrier island. As a result, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has concluded that 15.7 miles of shoreline is "critically eroded". A critically eroded area is defined by FDEP as a segment of the shoreline where natural processes or human activity has caused or contributed to erosion and recession of the beach or dune system to such a degree that upland development, recreational interests, wildlife habitat, or important cultural resources are threatened or lost. To assist with its coastal management strategies and long term sustainability of its shoreline, the County has developed and adopted a Beach Preservation Plan (BPP), updated 2014. The BPP identifies the current shoreline conditions and provides cost effective strategies for future beach management along the County's shoreline in particular the FDEP classified critically eroded areas. Wind, waves, and long shore currents are the driving forces behind coastal erosion. This removal and deposition of sand permanently changes beach shape and structure (Sea Grant Haznet, 1998). Most beaches, if left alone to natural processes, experience natural shoreline retreat. Historically, shoreline retreat is exacerbated by the effects of stabilized Oettied) coastal inlets, which interrupt the natural transport of sediment and promote erosion on the downdrift beaches. It has been estimated that on the east coast of Florida, as much as 80% of the observed erosion is directly attributable to the effects of stabilized inlets (Dean and Work 1993). As houses, highways, seawalls, and other structures are constructed on or close to the beach, the natural shoreline retreat processes may be interrupted. Construction along a historically erosive shoreline increases the likelihood of a property becoming threatened by shoreline retreat. The wave climate impacting the County's 22.4 miles of coastline has contributed to the long term erosion of the County's barrier island. The need for shore protection often results in property owners "hardening" the coast with a structure such as a seawall or revetment. A seawall is a large concrete or steel sheet pile wall designed to protect buildings or other man-made structures from beach Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 43