Coastal Geology in our National Parks

Coastal Geology Program

In 2000, a Coastal Geology group within the NPS Geologic Resources Division was created to address the specific needs and concerns of coastal park managers, and aid in the dissemination of information to benefit and preserve the NPS's dynamic coastal environments. Working with individual parks and regional offices, the Coastal Geology team provides scientific information, technical expertise and coastal policy analysis. By adhering to federal, state and local mandates, the NPS works to preserve the natural resources in its care. The Coastal Geology group aids coastal park managers and our coastal park environments by working in close coordination with other NPS divisions and programs, including Inventory and Monitoring, coastal mapping, GeoScientists-in-Parks, and Planning (see Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI))

This page outlines NPS coastal geology program objectives, explains how NPS coastal managers can recieve assistance from the coastal geology group, outlines a few examples of assistance the group has provided to parks, and provides contact information for key NPS coastal geology group members.

Program Objectives

• Within NPS units, identify and evaluate the dominant shoreline processes, their seasonal cycles, and natural and human-made shoreline resources (structures).
• Systematically inventory, monitor, and evaluate shoreline resources and identify and evaluate any issues involving both natural and cultural resources.
• Promote and coordinate cooperative multiagency shoreline research in NPS areas.
• Protect significant natural and cultural resources so that their scientific, cultural, and historic values are maintained.
• Emphasize the need for land-use planning and promote the development of land-use plans for activities inside parks and for development outside parks that will impact park resources.
• Develop resource education and interpretation programs for the public.
• Facilitate communication among researchers, resource managers, and interpreters.

Receiving Assistance

National coastal park managers may obtain direct support from the Coastal Geology group by submitting a written application for technical assistance, or by walk-in (or phone-in) requests. If necessary assistance cannot be provided, the Coastal Geology group will find outside assistance and funding possibilities that will effectively address a park's coastal issues. Applications for technical assistance should be submitted during the Natural Resources Technical Assistance Call (TAC) issued by the Associate Director, Natural Resources Stewardship and Science. The FY 2003 TAC is designed to plan and coordinate assistance to the parks from the resources available through the Natural Resources Program Center (NRPC). Applications for a given fiscal year must be submitted by the deadline in the previous fiscal year. Requests that arrive during the fiscal year for which they are desired may also be submitted directly to the Coastal Geology group within the Geologic Resources Division. Please visit http://www1.nrintra.nps.gov/tac/tac03/index.htm for further technical assistance information and on-line applications.

Examples of Assistance

To date, the Coastal Geology group has provided technical assistance to numerous park managers concerning a variety of coastal management issues. For example, the US Army Corps of Engineers once proposed construction of mile-long jetties on either side of Oregon Inlet located within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Coastal Geology team helped Cave Hatteras National Seashore to actively oppose this development due to the negative impacts the proposed jetties would have on the ecological, recreational, and geological resources within park boundaries. The National Park Service's strong commitment to protecting our resources contributed strongly to the joint May 1, 2003 decision to abandon the jetty proposal at Cape Hatteras.

In addition, the Coastal Geology team recently gave scientific expertise and legal assistance to Dry Tortugas National Park, where a channel dredged during construction of Fort Jefferson continued to fill with sediment and finally closed in December 2000. Geologic Resource Division staff evaluated this site in 2001 and recommended that the park allow the channel to remain closed rather than fighting natural processes through an intensive dredging operation complicated by the remoteness of the location.

Key Contact Information

For questions or information concerning coastal geology issues within the National Park Service, please contact:

Dr. Rebecca Beavers
Coastal Geologist
Geologic Resources Division
12795 West Alameda Parkway
Lakewood, Colorado 80228
303-987-6945
rebecca_beavers@nps.gov

Dr. Linda York
Coastal Geomorphologist
Southeast Regional Office
100 Alabama Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-562-3113 x537
linda_york@nps.gov

Julia Brunner
Regulatory Specialist
Geologic Resources Division
12795 West Alameda Parkway
Lakewood, Colorado 80228
303-969-2012
julia_f_brunner@nps.gov

Courtney Schupp
Coastal Geologist
Assateague Island National Seashore
7206 National Seashore Lane
Berlin, MD 21811
courtney_schupp@nps.gov