The Floodplain and the Seashore: A Comparative Analysis of Hazard-Zone Occupance

Abstract

HE United States is in danger today of embarking on a large-scale and costly program of coastal defense against storm hazard comparable with the program of flood control that has been operating in river valleys for the past quarter of a century. Federal legislation passed in 1936, and subsequently, has been largely the reason for the heavy investment in flood-control engineering works, to the neglect of possible alternatives. Yet appraisals of the flood-control program are in general agreement that despite federal expenditures of about five billion dollars, average annual damages from floods have continued to rise.' Nor is a brighter prospect held for the future. The Chief of Engineers stated in 1960 that at the present rate of expenditure flood protection will 'just about keep up with the increase in flood damage that may be anticipated by 1980 as a result of flood plain development over the next two decades.2 A repetition of the same course of action with respect to coastal flood problems seems likely. The storm of March 5-8, 1962,3 on the east coast of the United States (Fig. 1) focused attention on coastal storm damage. One informed official recently remarked that it seems unlikely Congress will be satisfied that it has done its duty by coastal constituents until an Atlantic Wall has been built from Maine to Mexico!