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J <br />AD <br />The need for shore protection often results in <br />hardening" the coast with a structure such as a <br />seawall or revetment. <br />A seawall is a large concrete wall designed to protect <br />buildings or other man-made structures from beach <br />erosion. A revetment is a cheaper option <br />constructed with "rip rap" such as large boulders, <br />concrete rubble, or even old tires. Although these <br />structures may serve to protect beachfront property <br />for a while, the resulting disruption of the natural <br />coastal processes has serious consequences for all <br />beaches in the area. Seawalls inhibit the natural <br />ability of the beach to adjust its slope to the ever <br />changing ocean wave conditions. Large waves wash <br />up against the seawall and rebound back out to sea <br />carrying large quantities of beach sand with them. <br />With each storm the beach narrows, sand is lost to <br />deeper water, and the longshore current scours the <br />base of the wall. Eventually, large waves impact the <br />seawall with such force that a bigger structure <br />becomes necessary to continue to resist the forces of <br />the ocean Wilkey and Dixon, 1996). <br />Agricultural Pest and Disease <br />Florida is among the tope three agriculture -producing states <br />in the nation. Agriculture generates farm cash receipts of <br />nearly $6 billion annually, of which citrus and vegetable <br />crops contribute more than 40%. The industry is <br />susceptible to many hazards including freezes, droughts, <br />and exotic pests or diseases. Agricultural crops are grown <br />throughout the state and every region is vulnerable to the <br />effects of an exotic pest or disease infestation. As a result, <br />Florida uses the second highest volume of pesticides in the <br />nation. <br />Agriculture and citrus production play a key role in the <br />Indian River County economy; 54% of the county is <br />farmland. The 1992 Census of Agriculture from the U.S. <br />Department of Commerce valued Indian River County farms <br />at $625 million with an annual production market value of <br />145 million. <br />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 19