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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 1997
97-167
CONTACT:
Department of Ecology:
Peter Ruggiero (360) 407-6230
Denise Clifford (360) 407-6239, pager (360) 786-3136
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
Donna McCaskill (803) 974-6272
Olympia, WA - The same technology NASA used to map polar ice caps from space is being used this week near Ocean Shores to better understand the effects of coastal storms on our Southwest Washington Coast.
Using a laser system mounted onboard an airplane, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA scientists are assisting the Department of Ecology and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) with their on-the-ground beach mapping efforts from Point Grenville south to Tillamook Head on the Oregon Coast. This data will greatly benefit the agencies and communities involved in the Southwest Washington Coastal Erosion Study. Next spring the crews will map the same area to measure the effects to the coast from the El Nino weather system.
"The use of NASA instrumentation will provide coastal states with cost effective and highly accurate mapping of beach erosion in particular, which is of great interest and concern to coastal communities," said John Brock, Coastal Remote Sensing Program Manager with NOAA.
Beach mapping is important to every coastal state. This year mapping is particularly critical to determine any erosion impacts resulting from El Nino. Beach surveying data is used to determine erosion rates and coastal change which is then used to predict how the coast will evolve. Coastal states can then use this information to establish setback lines, and determine sand volume needs for beach nourishment projects. Using the new technology, projects that typically take weeks to complete can now be done in a matter of hours maintaining a high degree of accuracy and thoroughness.
Ecology and the USGS have been measuring the changing Southwest Washington Coast through a series of on-the ground spot survey methods as part of their coastal erosion study. Teams from both agencies collect information about current shoreline conditions and compare the information with historical data.
"Ultimately we plan to use the information to assess and predict the effects of coastal storms to avoid emergencies, to better manage our coast, and to help communities support sustainable development," said Peter Ruggiero of Ecology's Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program.
For more information about the Southwest Washington Coastal Erosion Study, contact Peter Ruggiero at the Department of Ecology, (360) 407-6230. Information about the study is also available on Study's Internet WWW page.
For more information about NOAA's new beach mapping technology and where else this technology is being used, contact Donna McCaskill at NOAA's Coastal Services Center in South Carolina, (803) 974-6272 or scan the NOAA Coastal Services Center Internet Homepage.
NOTE TO MEDIA:
Flight Crew Scientists from NOAA and NASA can be available for an interview at Ocean Shores Airport on Thursday, October 16 at 9:30 a.m. Please call Denise Clifford at the Department of Ecology, (360) 407-6239 to arrange an interview. The crew will not land unless there is a media request.
Denise can also arrange an interview with Ecology's ground crew who will be collecting beach data using the "CLAMMER" a small, buggy-like vehicle with 6 wheels set up with onboard navigation software and satellite technology.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
