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By Tom Herrington
The decade from 1996 to 2005 marked a transformative era for ASBPA. Strategic advocacy, organizational innovation, and technical advancement converged to secure the future of America’s coasts and elevate ASBPA as a leading voice for shoreline protection.
Advocacy, Organizational Change, and Technical Leadership
In late 1995, the Marine Board of the National Research Council released “Beach Nourishment and Protection,” a landmark report recommending beach nourishment as a cost-effective solution for coastal erosion control. ASBPA members Tom Campbell, Bob Dean, Paul Komar, Tony Pratt, Rich Weggel, and Bob Wiegel participated on the report committee, ensuring ASBPA’s technical expertise shaped national policy. Paul Komar became the editor of Shore & Beach in April 1995.
Paul Komar, Shore and Beach Editor 1995-1999.
In 1996, a new lobbying group was created in Washington, DC,—initially called Coastal America, it was soon renamed the American Coastal Coalition (ACC). In response to the Clinton Administration’s announcement in 1995 that it would not support the authorization or funding of any new beach nourishment projects, ACC’s first major initiative was endorsing the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, which maintained federal participation in shore protection projects and expanded evaluation criteria to include economic and ecological benefits.
Technical Debate
During this period, technical debates flourished in the pages of Shore & Beach. Under the editorial leadership of Paul Komar, Nick Kraus, and Reinhard Flick, numerous papers, policy statements, and forum articles discussed the efficacy of beach nourishment for erosion mitigation. Agencies such as FEMA, US Fish & Wildlife, and USGS argued against federally funded nourishment. ASBPA countered with evidence of the broad socio-economic benefits beaches provide to the nation from the work of Jim Houston and others.
The 1997–98 El Niño event significantly impacted the US West Coast, highlighting the need for resilient coastal management strategies and further fueling technical discussions on best practices for shoreline stabilization.
Toward Merger and Unified Advocacy
By 2001, ACC restructured its administration, hired Gooderham & Associates Inc., and sought new lobbying partnerships. Joint conferences and board meetings with ASBPA explored closer collaboration. In May 2003, a joint committee recommended merging ACC and ASBPA at the end of the year, with government affairs to be handled by Marlowe & Co. and administration and events by Gooderham & Associates Inc. This recommendation was approved by both boards.
A New Era: Policy, Technology, and National Impact
In 2004, the newly merged ASBPA board met in Washington, DC, at the first joint Coastal Summit. Mayor Harry Simmons became the new ASBPA president. ASBPA established a new pattern for its annual meetings, convening a spring policy summit in Washington, DC, and a fall technical conference in a coastal location – a tradition that continues today.
Technical progress accelerated. In 2003, the use of LiDAR for airborne mapping of bathymetry and topography in the coastal zone, pioneered by Lillycrop, revolutionized coastal mapping and provided high-resolution data for shoreline management. Another hot topic of the decade was measuring hurricane impacts using emerging rapid response technologies for damage assessments and monitoring morphology and currents.
In 2005, ASBPA launched the “Top Restored Beaches” initiative, soliciting nominations for successful restoration projects and promoting best practices nationwide.
Conclusion: A Decade of Transformation
From 1996 to 2005, ASBPA and its partners advanced technical knowledge, shaped national policy, and advocated for resilient, economically and ecologically balanced beaches. Through strategic advocacy, organizational innovation, and technical advancement, ASBPA helped secure the future of America’s coasts and solidified itself as an authoritative voice for shoreline protection.