Property owners are perhaps the most prominent stakeholders in matters concerning beach nourishment. Over the years, the sea has claimed many homes, as shoreline erosion occurs virtually everywhere on the United States’ East Coast. It is the hope of many homeowners that nourishment projects will continue in order to prevent their homes from meeting the same fate as earlier houses. Groups of homeowners and real estate agents have begun to come together to voice their concerns to policy makers.
Some concerns include benthic organisms, nesting birds and sea turtles. If these organisms or their nests are covered by too much sand, beach nourishment may prove a detriment to their survival. In turn, this can disrupt the food web, affecting other species – and even industries. However, the exact dynamics of these feedback loops are largely uncertain. For example, effects of nourishment projects on benthic communities is one area that could certainly use more research. The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA), which is largely in favor of protecting properties with nourishment projects, actually promotes further study of this particular issue. Therefore, in order to protect these creatures, the group holds that projects should not occur during nesting seasons, should only be undertaken as frequently as necessary and the sand used to replenish the beach should be from a matching source. In general, homeowners not only understand these potential effects, but also support limited and seasonal nourishment.
"If the beaches went away, quality of life would go to the fishes, so to speak." -Shane Johnson, WRAR President