Coastal Services Center

Shoreline data are useful for determining flood zones, creating coastal navigation routes, constructing beach nourishment projects, calculating erosion rates, placing setback lines, and denoting jurisdictional boundaries. Each of these end uses requires a unique combination of data sets, technology, and methodology.

This lack of standardization and the general complexities associated with shoreline mapping make these data difficult to share, and often leave those charged with this task wondering if they are producing the most efficient and accurate product possible.

Sixty-five of the nation's top shoreline mapping professionals from state and federal agencies, academia, and the private sector recently attended a conference sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coastal Services Center to discuss what is right and what could be improved regarding shoreline mapping. Most of the participants of the Shoreline Change Conference presented information regarding the mapping of their shorelines, how these maps are used, and the triumphs and limitations of their approaches. The conversations were very detailed at times, as participants debated the use of one data set, methodology, or technology over another.

There also was ample discussion about the big picture issues that affect most of the people in the room. These issues include the following:

Work to improve shoreline mapping methodology and technology.

While the merits of standardization are applauded, many say the variety of state laws and regional geomorphology makes true standardization an unlikely ideal. Several suggest a best practices manual is needed to help people take advantage of advances in this field.

Remember the end user.

Numerous new technologies are available that make maps more user friendly. Map producers must remember to include information to help end users assess the fitness of the data for their particular needs.

Coordinate map production.

Several federal agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Geological Survey have ongoing or new shoreline mapping initiatives. Attending representatives of these organizations were asked to share information and work closely together to create a suite of maps that complement each other.

Use metadata.

While total standardization of coastal mapping technologies probably isn't possible, practicing good metadata habits will go a long way toward making map data useful for a wider audience.

Take advantage of T-sheets.

T-sheets are historical shoreline maps from the 1800s to today, and were created by NOAA and its predecessor. These data sets, recently converted to digital data by the NOAA Coastal Services Center, greatly increase the amount of data available for coastal managers to use when making shoreline change predictions.

To be notified of future activities related to shoreline mapping, please contact Cindy Fowler at Cindy.Fowler@noaa.gov and ask to be added to the shoreline change mailing list. People on this mailing list will be alerted when the Journal of Coastal Research publishes the papers presented at this conference.