Dr. Klaus J Meyer-Arendt

The objective of this report is to research the erosion problem at Pensacola Beach and make suggestions for options on how to address the problem. The issues at hand include: 1) the physical processes and parameters, 2) human impacts, in general and at Pensacola Beach specifically, and 3) options for dealing with shoreline retreat (see table of contents for details). Materials consulted for this report include various scientific articles and monographs, including several written by the investigator, as well as photographs and field notes from the investigator's personal files.

The shorefront and nearshore waters of Harrison County, Mississippi, have been extensively modified by human activity, especially since statehood in 1817. These modifications of the natural coastal environment have been in the form of shorefront and nearshore fill and subsequent reclamation and construction, and also ship channel dredging and associated dredge spoil deposition. This report summarizes the chronology of human-induced changes in sediment budget, both cartographically and volumetrically. The methodology entailed extensive archival research and comparative analysis of detailed historic maps which facilitated reconstruction of human shorefront modifications. As a result of various activities, including oyster canning (Biloxi and Pass Christian), harbor construction (Gulfport, Biloxi, Long
Beach, and Pass Christian), urban expansion (Biloxi, Pass Christian), recreational development (between Biloxi and Gulfport), road/seawall/sand beach construction and maintenance (along the entire length of the county), and channel dredging and spoil disposal (primarily in the approaches to Gulfport and Biloxi), millions of cubic yards of shell, sand, and riprap have been deposited. At least 600 acres of land have been reclaimed from Mississippi Sound between 1850 and 1992.