N.C. beach residents get grim forecast on sea level rise

http://www.newsobserver.com ^ | 11/13/07 | Wade Rawlins

[Rb ver. 2.0]

CAROLINA BEACH - As sea level continues to rise, North Carolina communities that have relied on beach renourishment programs will find it harder and harder to keep up with the ocean's onslought, a federal scientist told beach community and state officials today.

Jeff Williams, a marine geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, said some global warming projections forecast more frequent hurricanes, which cause the most rapid and dramatic beach erosion. Many North Carolina towns have funded dredging projects that replenish sand that has washed away.

But Williams told a gathering of about 100 people at a meeting of the North Carolina Beach Inlet and Waterway Association, an advocacy group for beach communities, that the efforts may work for awhile, but are a temporary and expensive fix.

The beach group held a two-day meeting that examined how global warming would affect the state's coastline. Scientists have projected that warmer temperatures will cause the polar ice caps to melt, raising sea levels.

Another speaker, Margaret Davidson, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's coastal services center in Charleston, S.C., said local communities should expect to pay more of the costs for coastal problems. She said the federal budget deficit is rising faster than sea levels.

[Dasaji]

“Back 50 years ago, in grammar school science lessons; and about 5 years later in my high school Earth Science class; and then, again, about 5 years later in my college basic geology class, we were taught that the West Coast was an emerging coastline; and the East Coast was generally a submerging coastline.”

And about 25-30 yrs ago, I remember being *terrified* about the oncoming global cooling/ice age that was about to occur.

[Dasaji]

The only ‘good’ side effect of any of this would perhaps be if every one of those half ass built houses north of Nags Head were to fall into the sea.

Do you mean the ones whose owners want *everyone* to pay for the beach nourishment programs???

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Jock itch is a problem too.

[edh]

“This is good news. I’ll be able to buy prime beachfront property for a song from gullible liberals sooner than I thought.”

I hear you there! I tried explaining to sellers in the Fla. Keys that they will be underwater soon due to global warming and Karl Rove....they still ask around $1M for waterfront homes though and look at me funny.

Seriously, if anyone from Big Pine Key down to Boca Chica thinks their home will be underwater soon, please contact me....I’m willing to take that future plot of water off your hands provided the price is right :)! I prefer Cudjoe Key, but I am willing to explore other areas :-P....just no Key West...although the bars near Mallory Square are fun!

[Tax-chick]

Move to Charlotte! Plenty of nice houses for sale in my subdivision :-).

[CPOSharky]

Hey, it’s November 13, and tonight here in the Midwest I was happily cooking ribs on the grill wearing a sweatshirt.

Your grill was wearing a sweatshirt? (Sorry, couldn't help it. :-))

[Onelifetogive]

She said the federal budget deficit is rising faster than sea levels.

I thought the deficit was falling...

[Constitution Day]

NOTICE:
This will be my final NC ping. Bat_Chemist has graciously agreed to take over the list and I have sent it to him via e-mail.

Take care!
CD

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NC *Ping*

Please FRmail Bat_Chemist if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.

[Congressman Billybob]

Thank you for your fine work over the years for the NC Freepers. Good luck in all you do in the future.

John / Billybob

[PeteB570]

Normal shifts of the outer banks have happened for generations.

Inlets open, close and move with the storms, tides and winds.

Back in the old days, early 1900s, you could only get to the areas around Shallotte Inlet by boat. Read an article about a traveling preacher who came by boat during the turn of the century.

Now that the place is crowded and people have homes on the moving sands it’s ‘The sea is rising” & “Global Warming”.

OK, I’m better now.

[PeteB570]

Many thanks for all the NC pings.

Take care.

[Constitution Day]

Thanks John.

I’m not leaving FR, I just don’t have time to keep up with the pings now.

[Constitution Day]

You’re welcome, see #52.

[STONEWALLS]

Best of luck my friend.

[Bat_Chemist]

Thanks for all the good work, CD!

To all: If you see anything needing an NC Ping, let me know.

[Huber]

Greetings from Virginia! I want to encourage all NC Freepers to GOONC and come up to the Virginia Blue Ridge where you will be safe from the rising waters

[Tax-chick]

I’m going to sit here until it’s an oceanfront lot!

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Their houses are already under 20 feet of water!!!

[NCjim]

Thanks for your time and effort, and good luck to you!

[steelyourfaith]

~~ AGW™ ping~~