Improving coastal resilience with ASBPA’s water level observing network
Central Gulf Coast Chapter March Lunch & Learn
Our March 2021 Lunch & Learn is being offered on Thursday, March 18, 2021 from 12-1 PM (Central) via Zoom. Our speaker is Brett Geesey, a licensed professional engineer with HDR Engineering, Inc. Brett’s bio and a description of his presentation are provided below.
Those attending will receive a certificate verifying their attendance for 1 hour of technical training that can be used towards continuing education requirements (in many states, for many professions).
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https://southalabama.zoom.us/j/91557333790
Meeting ID: 915 5733 3790
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Meeting ID: 915 5733 3790
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PRESENTATION: Rockefeller Refuge Gulf Shoreline Stabilization
DESCRIPTION: Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in southwest Louisiana is managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to provide refuge for wildlife and fisheries, opportunity for in the field research, and public education, outreach, and outdoor recreation. Erosion is claiming approximately 50 feet of Gulf shoreline along the Refuge each year. This is the equivalent loss of about 40 acres per year. The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) teamed with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) through the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) program to combat erosion at the Refuge. Due to the very soft clay soils along the shoreline and lack of sand in the littoral system it became apparent that conventional stone breakwaters and beach nourishment techniques would not be appropriate. Considering the wave field, soil bearing capacity, project budget, and protection criteria, several options were subsequently identified that could provide the needed protection. These options included a reef breakwater, reef breakwater with lightweight aggregate core, and gravel beach fill. These options were constructed as part of a $7 million demonstration project prior to implementation of the full project. The options constructed for the demonstration phase were monitored for one year. Data collected during the monitoring of the demonstration project was utilized to select the preferred alternative for implementation along the project shoreline. Based on available funding, approximately 4 miles of breakwater was constructed through the CWPPRA program. Additional funding sources are currently being assessed to continuing constructing the breakwater along the remaining project length.
BIO: Brett Geesey, PE is the Managing Principal for HDR’s Louisiana operations and is based in Lafayette, LA. Prior to joining HDR, Brett received a Master’s of Engineering in Ocean Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University. Brett manages a team of engineers and scientist in Louisiana and has gained extensive experience in the management and design of complex coastal engineering projects. His project experience includes shoreline protection, dredging for navigation and restoration, marsh restoration, beach nourishment, numerical wave and circulation modeling, and the evaluation of coastal processes. He currently serves as Secretary of the Board for the ASBPA Central Gulf Coast Chapter.
