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The Coastal Engineering Section provides technical expertise and assistance to the beach erosion control and regulatory programs of the Bureau. Technical expertise is provided in coastal hydrodynamics, sediment processes, and geology, and the related principles and practices of coastal engineering and geotechnical analysis. This expertise is provided by the Bureau’s coastal engineering staff, and through partnerships with FSU’s Beaches and Shores Resource Center and UF’s Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering.
The coastal engineering staff provides technical support for Florida’s beach erosion control program through evaluations of coastal conditions, including historical shoreline changes and storm impact assessments, through evaluations of proposed beach and inlet management activities, and through analysis of project monitoring data. The coastal engineering staff supports the Bureau’s environmental regulatory programs by conducting engineering and geotechnical analysis of proposed activities.
The engineering staff conducts or manages applied research initiatives and other program development projects that provide technical guidance for Bureau policies regarding engineering and environmental design issues facing the beach management program in Florida. The staff develops shoreline, inlet and project monitoring guidelines and methodologies. It organizes, inventories and provides shoreline change information with associated documentation. It provides consultation and assistance with analytical procedures, methodologies, models and computer programs for coastal engineering analysis purposes.
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Critical
Erosion Areas
Determining,
monitoring and reporting critical and noncritical erosion
areas of Florida's shoreline is an integral part of the
Coastal Engineering Section's responsibilities. For
a copy of the report and information pertaining to the length of sandy coastline...
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Reconnaissance Offshore Sand Search
This project is designed to provide a comprehensive tool for coastal
engineers, project managers, and regulators that allows the
identification and assessment of potential offshore sand resources that
are suitable for beach nourishment projects. The tool consists of a
corporate database that can be addressed, searched and manipulated
through an online query builder as well as with existing ArcIMS
Geographic Information System (GIS) routines that provide access over
the Internet (Web).
The project has incorporated geological and geotechnical data for the
Florida Panhandle and is currently extending the coverage to the
offshore region of the southwest Florida coastal zone (Pinellas to
Collier Counties). The work will continue along the Atlantic Ocean
coastal zone during the next fiscal year. The primary area of interest
is to be within 10 miles of the shoreline. Data and information from
further offshore that assists in understanding or predicting potential
sand resources within the area of primary interest will also be included
in the database as will data on beach sands.
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Coastal Engineering Staff Responsibilities
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Robert Brantly, P.E., Program Administrator -
Responsible for providing oversight and management of the section in performing engineering support activities for beach management and regulatory staff, reviewing and providing specific engineering responses for project scope of work related documents and permit related documents, beach and inlet management strategies, applied research and program development. Oversees work activities and staff in reviewing and updating statewide designated areas of critical erosion, participation in special studies and contract work, and in post-storm inspection and assessment work. |
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Ralph Clark, P.E., Senior Coastal Engineer – Responsible for preparing Critical Erosion Reports and the lead engineer in conducting post-storm inspection and preparing storm impact assessments. Provides consultation and quality assurance oversight as the Bureau’s senior coastal engineering to both the staff and outside consultants on scientific and engineering issues. Conducts engineering analysis of proposed inlet and beach management activities. Assists the Bureau office and Beach Management Section regarding applied research and program development efforts undertaken by or for the Bureau. |
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Jenny Cheng, Coastal Engineer – Responsible for providing consultation and assistance to the Bureau, BSRC and other contractors regarding analytical procedures, methodologies, models and computer programs for coastal engineering analysis purposes. Conducts engineering analysis of proposed inlet and beach management activities. Assists the Bureau office and Beach Management Section regarding applied research and program development efforts undertaken by or for the Bureau. |
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Subarna Malakar,
Coastal Engineer - Responsible for providing consultation
and assistance to the Bureau, BSRC and other contractors regarding analytical procedures, methodologies, models and computer programs for coastal engineering analysis purposes. Conducts engineering analysis of proposed inlet and beach management activities. Assists the Bureau office and Beach Management Section regarding applied research and program development efforts undertaken by or for the Bureau. |
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Jennifer Koch, Ph.D.,
P.G., Coastal Geologist – Responsible for providing geological analysis and geotechnical review of proposed inlet and beach management activities. Acts as the project manager for technical matters on the Regional Offshore Sand Search and the development of beach fill material design guidelines. Assists the Bureau office and Beach Management Section regarding applied research and program development efforts undertaken by or for the Bureau. |
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Elizabeth Kromhout, P.G., Coastal Geologist – Responsible for conducting engineering analysis of proposed inlet and beach management activities under the supervision the program administrator or senior coastal engineer. Supports the section and Bureau staff with technical and administrative assistance. |
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2010 State of Florida