Why
it has not been restored | Why
Should it Be Restored | Solutions
WHY
THE BEACH HAS NOT BEEN RESTORED:
After several years of research and many conversations
with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)
representatives, it is our opinion that the main reason
there has been virtually no restoration work done at
East Harbor is because this Agency (ODNR) does not feel
additional beach space would be used. Although their own
documents (1980 Corp/ODNR Beach Erosion) show a drop in
visitation of 670,000 because of the 1975 erosion, they
suggest a State-wide trend of diminishing beach user
ship.
Another possible reason they are reluctant to consider
restoration work is that they seem to have no clear
consensus as to the cause of the erosion, which casts
doubt on any proposed restoration effort.
Limited funding has also been cited as a control factor,
however recent expenditures for land acquisition in the
island area suggests otherwise. Since 2001 Ohio
Legislators have allocated over $35 million to purchase
and develop land on Middle and North Bass islands for
recreational boaters and those who pay ferry fees for
access.
Click here to read the newspaper
article on the land acquisition in a .pdf file>>
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WHY
WE SHOULD RESTORE THE BEACH AT EAST HARBOR:
Although
agency administrators cling to the opinion that
additional beach area would not be used, input from the
public leads us to believe otherwise. East Harbor
offers a unique opportunity for visitors to play in the
clean waters and robust waves that only Lake Erie can
offer. While other State run beaches are prone to
water quality issues, East Harbor is blessed with nearby
deep water and open lake exposure which greatly reduces
bacteria accumulation.
While
restoration efforts may cost several million dollars,
recent studies point towards annual recreational value
losses at Each Harbor exceeding $20 million. Our
beach also has the potential to pump millions of dollars
into the local economy. A recent newsletter from
Larry Fletcher, Director of the Ottawa County Visitors
Bureau, addressed a growing concern over the lack of
return visitors to the vacation area. His query
for opinions explaining the loss of regular customers
appears beside a color photo of the tiny shallow beach
at East Harbor. Furthermore, any State money
spent at East Harbor will benefit all taxpayers, not
just those who own a power boat or pay ferry fees to
access State owned island facilities.
Perhaps
the best reason for restoring the beach at East Harbor
is the least complicated. For thousands of years
the forces of nature maintained a sandy barrier beach on
this spot. We as Ohioans had only owned and
managed the beach for 30 years when our man made
structures caused the erosion of the beach. We at
Beach Aid- East Harbor feel it is our duty to advocate
corrective measures on our watch.
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WHAT
ARE THE SOLUTIONS?:
Research shows that there are nearly as many
solutions are there are coastal engineers and private
contractors. Based on the outcome of a study into the
cause of the erosion, solutions range from man-made
perpendicular groins and offshore submerged rock
"reefs" which trap sand, to water sand
dredging where sand is redistributed on an eroded beach.
While none of these solutions are cheap, most other
beach communities have recognized the unique value of
their resource and adopted sound beach management
policies that include re-nourishment from time to time.
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