A Wave of Change: Replanting Connecticut and

Massachusetts Coastal Sand Dunes

Ashley Oberlin
AP English 12/ECE 1010
Mrs. Kirkpatrick
Period C
28 February 2020

Table of Contents
 Oberlin 1

Scope of the Problem……………………………………………………………………………3-5

Mission Statement………………………………………………...…………………………….5-6
Goals and Objectives…………………………………………...…………………………………7
Evaluating Resources…………………………………………………………………………...7-9
Implementing the Plan………………………………………………………………………....9-13
Gaining Support………………………………………………………………………………13-18
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection…………………………………………….13-14
Beachgoers & General Public………………………………………………………...14-16
Coastal Homeowners…………………………………………………………………16-17
Long Island Sound Futures Fund………………………………………………………...17
Environmental Conservationists…………………………………………………..….17-18
Final Call to Action……………………………………………………………………………....18
Works Cited…………………………………………………………………………………..19-20
Annotated Bibliography………………………………………………………………..….....21-28
Appendix A: Restoration of Connecticut and Massachusetts Coastal Sand Dunes Survey
Questions……………………………………………………………………………………..29-32
Appendix B: Interview Transcript With Harry Yamalis……………………………………...33-
40
Appendix C: Sample Flyer……………………………………………………………………….41
Appendix D: Survey Results Question 7………………………………………………………...42
Appendix E: Survey Results Question 8………………………………………………………....43
Appendix F: Survey Results Question 9………………………………………………………....44

Abstract
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The world’s oceans are vast, kinetic bodies persistently transforming in relation to

internal and external pressures. In recognizing the global fluctuation of climate, intensifying

wave patterns, and weather gaining brutish momentum as sea levels surge, the East Coast of the

United States endures a relentless beating from the Atlantic Ocean. Coastal sand dunes in these

states are exceedingly vulnerable to the merciless environment as the dynamic formations

undergo substantial erosion, threatening the paramount coastal habitat for an abundance of

animal species and vegetation. As sand dunes provide a natural barrier of defense from the

ocean, without their vital presence on the Eastern Seaboard, surrounding properties are directly

at risk for oceanic destruction. To rehabilitate the coastal sand dunes, it is imperative that

American beach grass will be planted along the shorelines in both Connecticut and

Massachusetts to restabilize the pivotal formations and the beach environment as a whole.

Implementing volunteer statewide beach grass plantings in both Connecticut and Massachusetts

will serve as a catalyst for furter restoration efforts on the entire Eastern coast as well as to elicit

civil consciousness on the magnitude of societal actions on the environment.

Scope of the Problem

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Vast, sandy dunes line the coastlines of the contiguous United States, attracting millions

to the beautiful beaches, yet the state of the coastal environment has plummeted into perilous

jeopardy. Neither humans nor shoreline inhabitants will be flocking as the once extensive 618

miles of Connecticut shoreline and 1,519 miles in Massachusetts dwindles, and the historically

admired sand dunes appear lifelessly depleted (“Shoreline”). As of about 20 years ago it was

alarmingly pressured, “approximately 65% to 70% of the coastline is eroding” (“Erosion”) in

Massachusetts while “9% of Connecticut’s shoreline is considered critically eroding”,

(O’Donnell et al) to which these figures appear to continue to surge as storms thrashing the

Atlantic seaboard intensify in addition to irreversible environmental elements. While dunes are

observed to dynamically shift in relation to irrepressible variations in tides, wind, and other

meteorological events (“Long”), they do not attest to be indestructible, as vegetation and animals

are evicted from their irreplaceable habitats and structures subside beyond repair. The treasured,

viable beach area has been mercilessly narrowed, eliminating the appeal and charm of the

beloved beaches that humanity has infinitely admired as the beaches in Connecticut and

Massachusetts display minimal resemblance to prior years of prosperity. Shoreline sand dunes

are progressively collapsing, commencing the ultimate massacre of the coastal environment.

Perpetual human ignorance in relation to the dunes, including reckless defiance to

postings on trespassing and refusal to comply with known regulations further deteriorate the

condition of the already fleeting dunes. Despite the immense tolerance of American beach grass

and additional vegetation such as shrub species and others residing in the sandy dunes to

brutalistic wave bantering and variable storms, “it can not survive being trampled by vehicle or

man” (“Dune”). The roots of this beach grass provide stabilization to the dynamic shifts of sand

dunes and without this vital vegetation, destroyed from human intrusion including heedless
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traffic and driving, the dunes are directly exposed to brutish winds and waves. Minute

conveniences to humanity ultimately contribute to the demise of a multitude of endangered

species seeking habitat in these coastal ecosystems including the Piping Plover, American

Oystercatcher, Black Skimmer, and several categories of Terns to which the Long Island Sound

Study divulges, “All of these birds are federally- or state-listed species” (“Long”). The fate of the

sand dunes in their entirety as well as these waning species are in perilous danger if society

continues to neglect the damage and mitigation efforts do not emerge promptly.

Crucial to the coastal ecosphere, sand dunes and coastal barriers foster and encourage the

development of diverse ecosystems while providing front line protection from inland flooding of

surrounding areas as well as a natural defense against beach erosion entirely. Without these

sandy banks, beachfront properties possessing extreme monetary value are directly susceptible to

coastal flooding and the relentless waves and wind gusts. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration (NOAA) insists, “... coastal inundation and resulting wave damage is often

maximized in specific areas where there is… minimal natural or manmade defense against wave

attack” (Mignone). As nor'easters unleash pandemonium, the sand dunes and coastal ecosystems

harvesting countless species only possess a maximum tolerance to perpetual pummeling. The

NOAA promulgates, “Superstorm Sandy, for instance, caused $71 billion in damage... High tide

flooding has increased between 300 and 925 percent since the 1960s” (“Nation’s”). In order to

safeguard local surroundings and maintain vegetation biodiversity, sand dunes require

rehabilitation efforts to prevent their ultimate subsidence.

To ameliorate the accelerating depletion of coastal sand dunes, it is imperative these

existing natural structures be protected and restored to maintain stability for the species

dependent on the habitable dunes and the defense they provide against atmospheric alterations.
 Oberlin 5

While the direct effects of the natural elements may not be halted, The Connecticut Department

of Energy and Environmental Protection and Massachusetts Department of Environmental

Protection will initiate statewide coastal plantings of beach grass as the Massachusetts

government confirms the average annual maintenance cost for planting vegetation is low with

minimal upkeep with regular replantation (“StormSmart”). Society must dedicate itself to the

commitment to respecting the Earth’s natural forms to allow for distinct species to prosper and

for development beyond the dunes to be blockaded from the merciless waves and sea spray.

Mission Statement

The states of Connecticut and Massachusetts must coalesce to restore the depleted reserve

of coastal sand dunes as the erosion accumulated from societal ineptitude and relentless

meteorological conditions precipitates the utter demise of this vital ecosystem and its inhabitants

in their entirety. Perpetual negligence will induce the sand dunes already in limited existence to

recede beyond imaginable, contributing to the extinction of piteous endangered animals such as

the Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher and a multitude of other dwindling species. The

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in collaboration with the

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection wield the responsibility of spearheading

the protection of these shoreline habitats through the immediate implementation of a mass

planting of American beach grass to enhance the resilience of existing dunes and foster sound

stability. As humanity possesses the ethical obligation to abide by mandatory restrictions and

endorse restoration efforts, the population of vegetation such as American beach grass will

undoubtedly increase and serve as a catalyst for subsequent progressive efforts directed towards

rehabilitating the dunes to their previous state of prosperity.

Goals and Objectives

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1. Goal #1: Establish annual volunteer statewide plantings of American beach grass along

both the Connecticut and Massachusetts coastlines by the year 2025.

A. Obtain a permit under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act and the

Connecticut Endangered Species Act by the year 2022.

B. Obtain a permit under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act and

Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act by the year 2023 to gain state funding.

C. Collect a localized survey of citizens in varying coastline towns such as New

London, Connecticut, Barnstable, Massachusetts, and Harwich, Massachusetts to

calculate the percentage of citizens in select towns willing to participate by the

year 2023.

D. Enact a $1 entrance fee for in-state residents to state beaches in Connecticut by

2023.

E. Devise postings to place on entrance booths or lifeguard stands during the

summer months at all Connecticut and Massachusetts beaches for the upcoming

event by the year 2024.

F. Purchase 150,000 stems of beach grass for planting by the year 2024 and allocate

throughout 5 areas of the Connecticut shoreline and 10 areas of the Massachusetts

coastline with highest recorded erosion rates at present time.

Evaluating Resources

The states of Connecticut and Massachusetts have an abundance of wealth circulating

throughout the government, however the allocation of funding to shoreline restoration is

exceedingly scarce despite the immense revenue state beaches generate. The Long Island Sound

Study advocates, “beaches can generate $661 million dollars in economic value” (“Long”) with
 Oberlin 7

the association of indirect expenditures for beach visitors. With likely inflation of this figure over

recent years, the economic prosperity of beaches along the Connecticut shoreline is elucidated

and commands attention. Adding a $1 entrance fee for in-state visitors will further contribute to

the rise in financial gain and can be directed towards greater coastal restoration and

enhancement. As entrance booths are already present at state beaches in Connecticut, no

additional structures will need to be purchased or constructed, resultantly saving a multitude of

wealth for the state. Supplemental staff is unnecessary as the job requirements remain the same,

with this aspect of the project providing no financial deficit for the state. Rates will be held

constant for out of state patrons with the optional donation for all regardless of residency to save

the sand dunes. Woefully, current protection of the coastal dunes is ultimately negligible as

Harry Yamalis, the Long Island Sound Study Habitat Restoration Coordinator at the CT DEEP

disputes, “There isn’t much regulation unfortunately. This state doesn’t protect dunes…”

(Yamalis) [Appendix A]. With minimal efforts aimed at appropriately conserving these

vanishing structures, the state of Connecticut fails to promote a flourishing ecosystem. The lack

of endeavors to ameliorate this tragedy on a large scale commands funding and support from the

CT DEEP and the MA DEP to successfully mitigate the perilous state the dunes possess.

Vast sandy coastlines are in abundance lining Connecticut and Massachusetts, yet despite

the immense span of these shorelines, dune-dwelling species struggle to prosper as the demise of

the dunes nears. Totalling 2,137 miles, the Massachusetts and Connecticut coastlines stretch for

618 miles in CT and 1,519 miles in MA, (“Shoreline”) but these alluring beaches remain abused

and in dire need. Fortunately, in December of 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA,

and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, NFWF, donated,“36 grants totaling $2.57 million to

local government and community groups to improve the health and ecosystem of Long Island
 Oberlin 8

Sound” (“Million”). With matched grants from other supporters, the funding received totaled

upwards of $5.67 million to finance and launch efforts in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New

York, and Vermont directed towards conservation (“Million”). While a multitude of projects are

currently underway, a portion of this capital will be allocated to sand dune restoration in

Massachusetts and Connecticut as the effect of losing the dunes would paralyze the beach

ecosystem and its inhabitants. Similarly, Yamalis commends in conjunction with federal funding,

“The Long Island Sound Futures Fund, they give grants out for restoration and other activities

annually and dune restoration has been the most of projects they’ve funded” (Yamalis). Support

from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund would greatly bolster the supply of funding available

to arrange a large scale restoration effort, as the beach grass planting, as well as for future

maintenance and replanting. Among several state agencies and grants resides a surplus of wealth

available to provide adequate funding towards coastal restoration projects like such.

To successfully conduct the state beach grass plantings in CT and MA, American beach

grass must be available in superfluous quantities to order. However, the Cape Coastal Nursery

may only possess a limited supply of the vegetation, dependent on other customers, and the time

of year in which the product is requested. If the desired sale is not obtainable from this local

nursery, Cold Stream Farm online would allow the CT DEEP and MA DEP to purchase the

stems of beach grass relatively inexpensively, with 150,000 stems costing $42,000

(“Beachgrass”). At only 28¢ per plant, this method for restoration is immensely more affordable

than other coastal restoration projects including beach nourishment and seawall construction

(“Beachgrass”). While more stems of beach grass can be purchased at a later time, this initial

quantity allows the DEEP and DEP to apprehend how effective and instrumental it is in a variety
 Oberlin 9

of areas and proceed from this launch.

Implementing the Plan

Goal #1: Establish annual volunteer statewide plantings of American beach grass along both

the Connecticut and Massachusetts coastlines by the year 2025.

A. Obtain a permit under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act by the year 2022.

In Massachusetts and Connecticut currently, the Upland Sandpiper, Piping Plover, American

Oystercatcher, and several classifications of Terns are either categorized as endangered or

threatened species (“Connecticut’s”). As the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA)

and Connecticut Endangered Species Act (CESA) serve to protect these species from extinction,

a permit is required to perform any conservation act on these grounds in which they inhabit. To

obtain a Conservation and Management Permit under the MESA, an application is required to

submit that will be regarded by the MESA project review. For this project there will be a $7500

fee for the permit, a Linear Conservation & Management Permit, because the intended area of

restoration spans greater than one mile. (“Apply”), which the MA DEP will fund. A report will

be submitted that must include an elaborate description of current conditions of the area, the

Massachusetts shoreline as a whole, involving the presence of the endangered species and

vegetation. Aerial photography of the site with, “overlay of vegetation cover types and overlay of

rare species habitat mapped by habitat function” (“Guidelines”) is necessary for consideration.

Following this, the intended project will be proposed comprised of all future project plans as well

as aerial photography of the site “with overlay of proposed development” (“Guidelines”) on all

vegetation and rare species. The impact of the project is then analyzed, containing the minimal

impact the desired objective has as well as the short-term and permanent effects on the

ecosystem. Finally, a conservation and management plan is necessary to submit with the net
 Oberlin 10

benefit of how the state of the impacted species will be ameliorated encompassing their habitat

as a whole (“Apply”). Within 30 days of submission and once the project qualifies as eligible,

the permit will be acquired. In Connecticut, a permit directly under the CESA is not required for

public development projects.

B. Obtain project approval under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act and

Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act by the year 2023 to gain state funding.

The Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) and Massachusetts Environmental Policy

Act (MEPA) both require near identical processes to gain project approval. First, the state agency

sponsoring the activity, the CT DEEP and MA DEP, will complete a Scoping Notice, published

to the Environmental Monitor, of their intended project to alert the public of the general idea

while receiving feedback from other agencies. Based on results and feedback from the early

scoping process, the CT DEEP and MA DEP can continue the process in one of two ways. The

agency may proceed by publishing a report proclaiming an Environmental Impact Evaluation is

not required, along with the findings and supposed environmental impact. Secondarily, the other

option to advance the project is to follow through with the Environmental Impact Evaluation,

(EIE), a detailed analysis of the plan in its entirety, the imperative need for it, and the

environmental impacts of doing so. Consideration also needs to be granted to the current state of

the environment and other alternative options, yet ultimately why this option would be the most

effective. After completing an EIE, it will circulate through other state agencies where it will

later be published in the Environmental Mentor to alert the public and other government firms. A

Record of Decision will be completed by the CT DEEP and MA DEP to finalize the forward

movement of the project and gain approval for completion (“Connecticut”).

 Oberlin 11

C. Collect a localized survey of citizens in varying coastline towns such as New London,

Connecticut, Barnstable, Massachusetts, and Harwich, Massachusetts to calculate the

percentage of citizens in select towns willing to participate by the year 2023.

Barnstable and Harwich Massachusetts are two of the most populous areas on the Massachusetts

shoreline which would provide an accurate representation of the tendencies of the inhabitants.

The Connecticut DEEP will mail out voluntary surveys to citizens living in New London while

the Massachusetts DEP will mail out voluntary surveys to citizens residing in Barnstable and

Harwich to collect responses on the willingness to participate in such an event. Surveys will be

returned and collected by both the CT DEEP and MA DEP to process the data and conclude final

results. The survey will include a brief description of the prevalent erosion of the dunes and how

this is detrimental to the beach as a whole to give respondents context. From collected data, if

participation interest is low for the dune grass planting, greater advertising and postings will be

implemented to raise these figures.

D. Devise postings to place on entrance booths or lifeguard stands during the summer

months at all Connecticut and Massachusetts beaches for the upcoming event by the year

2023.

The general population remains oblivious to the deterioration of the environment surrounding

them, so flyers and posters will be instilled to heighten societal consciousness of the issue. The

Connecticut DEEP and Massachusetts DEP will create advertising, similar to the flyer seen in

Appendix C [Appendix C], to place on entrance booths at the state beaches to serve as a catalyst

for greater awareness of the pervasive degradation of the dunes. If citizens are aware of the issue

affecting their precious coastlines, they will be more inclined to assist in restoring the dunes

through their volunteer efforts and donations.

 Oberlin 12

E. Enact a $1 entrance fee for in-state residents to state beaches in Connecticut by 2023.

In 2018, the state of Connecticut removed entrance fees to enter all state parks by including the

charge in the registration fees for the vehicle. (“Passport”). However, to generate revenue to

assist in the funding of these plantings to purchase the supply of beach grass and promote

awareness of the need to restore the dwindling sand dunes, a $1 entrance fee will be installed.

Booths already lie at the entrance to all state parks to grant access to in-state residents and charge

out of state residents the required amount for entrance, so additional structures are unneeded. An

extreme fee for entrance would deter patrons in search of a day at the beach, so the minimal

charge accompanied by the advertising for the worthy cause will allow beach attendance to

remain steady or increase as greater concern arises. The CT DEEP will enact and enforce this fee

for in-state residents to accumulate a designated fund to direct towards purchasing the beach

grass or other financial aspects that arise.

F. Purchase 150,000 stems of beach grass for planting by the year 2024 and allocate

throughout 5 areas of the Connecticut shoreline and 10 areas of the Massachusetts

coastline with highest recorded erosion rates at present time.

With funding gained from the states of Connecticut and Massachusetts under the CEPA and

MEPA in addition to the new entrance fee at Connecticut state parks, the CT DEEP and MA

DEP will acquire a baseline amount of 150,000 stems of American beach grass. Since optimal

planting season for American beach grass is mid-October through early April, the supply will be

purchased in advance to account for the high quantity of the order (O’Donnell et al). Both

agencies will utilize the Cape Coastal Nursery in South Dennis, MA, to supply the project. If the

sheer number of plants is not available, the American beach grass may be purchased digitally

from Cold Stream Farm where the cost per stem is only 28¢ (“Beachgrass”). The Massachusetts
 Oberlin 13

coastline will be allocated a greater percentage of the beach grass to replant 10 designated areas

as it lies on the Atlantic and faces direct exposure to intensifying meteorological conditions and

wave patterns. The Connecticut coast will receive the remaining stems to plant vegetation in 5

designated areas since it spans a lesser distance. Depending on the success of the event, the sheer

quantity of grass being planted will likely elevate annually while participation increases in

association.

Gaining Support

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Massachusetts

Department of Environmental Protection

A statewide beach grass planting in Connecticut and Massachusetts provides one of the

most reasonable and economical solutions to the pervasive degradation of the sand dunes

transpiring. While other protection methods may appear favorable over the simplistic replanting

of vegetation, an abundance of stabilization techniques provide a false sense of security to the

merciless meteorological and wave patterns. Harry Yamalis, an employee of the CT DEEP

denounces, “I’ve seen pieces of cement way more than me go flying ten to fifteen feet in the air

through someone’s sliding glass door and it lands in their living room after Hurricane Sandy and

Irene” (Yamalis). In reference to the construction of seawalls, the structures appear sturdy as an

unsurpassable barrier, yet often cave into the water and severely impair surrounding properties.

Logistically, man made structures including seawalls or stone groins result in the uneven

disbursement of sand grains or inflict greater mutilation of existing structures as it, “just leads to

more damage waiting to happen” (Yamalis). Contrarily, revegetation of the coastal sand dunes is

minimally intrusive and requires negligible maintenance regardless of annual replantings.

Summing at only $42,000 for 150,000 stems of American beach grass, the overall financial
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estimate is passably inexpensive for the CT DEEP and MA DEP to fund considering the cost will

be split between the two agencies (“Beachgrass”). The CT DEEP has previously funded small

scale projects for coastal sand dunes and provided information on the techniques of planting

beach grass so the overall benefit of a larger scale event would sway the agencies to eagerly

support this.

Beachgoers & General Public

To successfully implement a statewide beach grass planting in Connecticut and

Massachusetts, it is imperative that the public is educated on the current erosion of the dunes to

ameliorate the deplorable conditions humanity and meteorological factors have inflicted upon

these structures. With increased knowledge and awareness of the corroding sand dunes, society

will recognize that their impulsive dismissal has immensely contributed to the collapse of coastal

habitats and the dunes. Alarmingly, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and

Environmental Control divulges, “The passage of only one vehicle or a few people over the dune

at the same point will kill a strip of grass” (“Dune”). Simple alterations in societal use including

crossing over the dunes on designated paths or refraining from bypassing fenced areas and

restrictions will further relieve the stress burdening the dunes. 89.1% of CHS science students

agreed that they would support a statewide event to plant American beach grass on existing sand

dunes to restore and rehabilitate the dwindling dunes (Oberlin) [Appendix E]. With little

opposition from the student body, the results may be applied to the general populations in

Connecticut and Massachusetts that the average citizen is willing to assist in the restoration of

their beloved beach environment. An event like a statewide planting of American beach grass

successfully unifies the cooperative body mitigating the issue and forges an established

community between all individuals involved. This collective body would encourage and promote
 Oberlin 15

the protection of the beach ecosystem, increasing support for future initiatives while fulfilling the

ethical obligation to care for the Earth.

Visitors to Connecticut state beaches would be willing to pay the minute fee for entrance

as previously, the state of Connecticut had charged upwards of $9 for entrance into state parks

for in-state residents. Rates have declined with the removal of this fee to which the enactment of

a singular dollar charge provides the slightest inconvenience to beach patrons. Recognizing the

steep fare on out of state patrons, the CT DEEP exposes, “Vehicles with out of state plates will

still be charged parking fees at state parks ranging from $7 to $22 depending on the park and

time of day” (“Passport”). In comparison to this cost, a minimal expense directed towards a

genuine cause is favorable as 81.3% of Coventry High School students in varying science classes

surveyed agreed that they would support a $1 charge to assist in funding the restoration of the

dunes (Oberlin) [Appendix F]. This measure would be ultimately reasonable as individuals are

willing to bestow extensive financial quantities to visit local beaches. The appearance of beach

grass would not deter eager patrons as this element advances the draw of the coastal atmosphere

and the presence of the beach.

Coastal Homeowners

Although some residents on the Connecticut and Massachusetts coastlines may be wary

of the implementation of a beach grass planting for visual concerns as well as the intrusion on

their property with possible future maintenance, the eternal security the restored dunes provide

prompts owners to conserve the currently frail formations. The National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration reveals the nation’s coast is, “home to more than 40 percent of the

population” (“Nation’s”), accentuating the attraction the shoreline has as society desires to be in

close proximity. Striving to execute preventive measures to protect their properties, homeowners
 Oberlin 16

would be eager to grant efforts to restore the sand dunes as they provide a natural barrier from

the oceanic environment. This stabilization technique of planting vegetation would require no

cost of the residents and would only provide benefit to the citizens as the dunes evolve with

supplementing sturdiness and resilience to potential meteorological or oceanic threats. Planting

native vegetation drastically contributes to, “increasing the dune height and width” (O’Donnell et

al), fostering the accretion of the sand dune and existing beach preceding it. While homeowners

withhold concern for the visual appearance of the dunes, beach grass already resides in extreme

quantities on the dunes to which would only be enhanced. Some residents are in opposition to the

grass growing on the dunes however without this crucial vegetation, the dunes would collapse

entirely and their available beach space would recede waterward. Appraising the enhancement of

the dunes with beach grass will urge coastal homeowners to favor this method rather than

artificial, intrusive structures.

Long Island Sound Futures Fund

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund already grants millions towards shoreline

restoration annually with several matched grants surmounting to over twice as vast as a financial

supply available (“Million”). One of the organization’s priorities to designate funding towards is

coastal restoration to maintain the ecosystems present and protect the species inhabiting the area,

directly coinciding with the planting of beach grass. In consideration to the critical erosion as of

1999, “9% of Connecticut’s shoreline is considered critically eroding” (O’Donnell et al) while

“11% of Massachusetts' shoreline is critically eroding” according to Coastal Zone Management

(“Erosion”). With drastic inflation of these figures over the past decade, the severely high

erosion rates will not be overlooked by this organization since they are dedicated to maintaining

Long Island Sound and surrounding regions utilizing any feasible means.
 Oberlin 17

Environmental Conservationists

The protection and conservation of coastal sand dunes is crucial to environmental

conservationists who strive to restore the beach ecosystems while ensuring the species at risk

remain unharmed. To their dismay, the populations of native bird and vegetative species have

“plummeted since pre-colonial times” (Yamalis) and desperately require attention to their

habitats which fail to foster prosperity for future generations. The stabilization of the dunes

through the planting of beach grass would regulate the presence of endangered and threatened

species, provoking the upward rise of these population levels. Optimistically, 95.4% of CHS

science students surveyed agreed that species such as the Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher,

Black Skimmer, and other endangered birds should be saved from extinction in Connecticut,

elucidating the immense support to defend these vanishing species (Oberlin) [Appendix D]. The

perpetual destruction of these structures would devastate humanity as their evident investment in

Connecticut’s endangered bird species exacerbates the dire exigency to enhance existing

conditions. Conservationists invested in bird populations and other federally threatened and

endangered species will endorse the beach grass planting to stabilize the habitat and prevent

further intrusion on the dunes to avoid trampling of nests by vehicles and human traffic.

Final Call to Action

It is exigent that the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection implement stabilization techniques

to coastal sand dunes, specifically the replanting of American beach grass, along the state

coastlines to restore the precious habitats fostering an abundance of vanishing vegetation. With

relatively absent regulation currently over the protection of the dunes, the ultimate demise for all

inhabitants approaches promptly as humanity perpetually discounts the irreversible damage. As

 Oberlin 18

nor’easters intensify in association to variable wave formations, sand dunes must be rehabilitated

to a prior state of prosperity as the decimation of the dunes would stimulate pandemonium in the

coastal ecosystem as well as to surrounding homes and properties. With Connecticut and

Massachusetts serving as exemplars, implementing plantings of American beach grass along the

entirety of the Eastern Seaboard would provide stability within the dune structures and to the

beach ecosystem as a whole.

Works Cited

“Apply for a Conservation & Management Permit.” Mass.gov. 2020.

“Beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata).” Cold Stream Farm. 2020.

“Bradley Beach Dune Planting Event.” American Littoral Society. 1 January 2017.

“Connecticut Environmental Policy Act, An Environmental Permitting Fact Sheet.”

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. 31 October 2011.

“Connecticut’s Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species.” Connecticut

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. 2015.

“Dune Protection and Improvement.” Delaware Department of Natural Resources and

Environmental Control. 2020.

“Erosion Data.” State of the Beach/State Reports/MA/Beach Erosion. Beachapedia. 3

December 2015.

“Guidelines for a MESA Conservation & Management Permit.” Mass.gov. October 2017.
 Oberlin 19

“Long Island Sound Habitat Restoration Initiative: Coastal Barriers, Beaches, and

Dunes.” Long Island Sound Study. February 2003.

Mignone Jr., Anthony R. “Dunes and Ocean Front Structures Under Wave Attack.”

NOAA/National Weather Service. July 2013.

“$2.57 Million in Grants Awarded to Improve the Health of Long Island Sound.” Long

Island Sound Study. 4 December 2018.

“The Nation’s Coastal Management Agency.” NOAA Office for Coastal Management.

20 November 2019.

Oberlin, Ashley. “Restoration of Connecticut and Massachusetts Coastal Sand Dunes

Survey.” 11 - 14 February 2020.

O’Donnell, Jennifer, Barrett, Juliana, and Slovinsky, Peter. “Connecticut Beaches and

Dunes: A Hazard Guide for Coastal Property Owners.” Connecticut Sea Grant. August

2016.

“Passport to the Parks.” Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental

Protection. 2020.

“Shoreline Mileage Of the United States.” NOAA Office for Coastal Management. 2016.

“StormSmart Properties Comparison Chart - Relative Costs of Shoreline Stabilization

Options.” Mass.gov. September 2016.

Yamalis, Harry. Personal Interview. Connecticut Department of Energy and

Environmental Protection. 6 February 2020.

 Oberlin 20

Annotated Bibliography

“Apply for a Conservation & Management Permit.” Mass.gov. 2020.

Mass.gov is the official website representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is

governed as a state agency with information available regarding all departments and
occurrences in the state of Massachusetts. This section of the site is provided by the
MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, NHESP, which is
responsible for the protection of jeopardized species and their habitats in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife which is
responsible for the conservation of wildlife including endangered species. This source
provides primarily quantitative data in regards to the cost of obtaining a permit under the
Massachusetts Endangered Species Act based on circumstance including, “Linear
Conservation & Management Permit (Projects greater than 1 mile in length) $7,500
each project” (“Apply”). Included in the implementing the plan section, this
source provided information on the economic aspect of a project, such as a dune grass
planting, allowing recognition to be granted to possible funding for obtaining this permit.

“Beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata).” Cold Stream Farm. 2020.

Cold Stream Farm is a wholesale bare root tree and shrub nursery located in Free Soil
Michigan that specializes in vegetation for wildlife. The nursery produces large quantities
of their shrubs and trees as there is no maximum purchase limit and therefore allows for
the mass securance of American Beachgrass. This source consists of entirely quantitative
data on the amount of beachgrass stems as well as the cost such as, “Size 150,000. Price
$42,000” (“Beachgrass”). The economic value of the beachgrass was incorporated in
implementing the plan, evaluating resources, and gaining support to ultimately convey
the cost effectiveness of replanting the dunes over other stabilization methods. Similarly,
 Oberlin 21

the data was utilized to exemplify how minute the cost for a vast quantity of beach grass
would be for the intended sponsors of the event.

“Bradley Beach Dune Planting Event.” American Littoral Society. 1 January 2017.

The American Littoral Society is a volunteer organization dedicated to protecting

national coastlines in association with the protection of marine wildlife and habitats. The
organization's mission is to advocate, conserve, and educate citizens on the importance of
shoreline conservation to encourage others to do the same in partnership. The source
includes no quantitative data yet the image of a flyer advertising the beach grass planting
on the dunes provides qualitative data as an example to attract the general public into
supporting a similar event. The flyer was included in the implementing the plan section to
provide a model for the CT DEEP and MA DEP to create similar postings, demonstrating
how informing the public has the potential to garner large bodies of advocates. Similarly,
the sample poster demonstrates the effectiveness of the event in other areas nationwide as
well as the simplistic nature of it as minimal materials are required and attendance is
voluntary.
“Connecticut Environmental Policy Act, An Environmental Permitting Fact Sheet.” Connecticut
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. 31 October 2011.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is a state agency in

Connecticut that is responsible for protecting the natural resources and environment,
while regulating the energy utilized. The CT DEEP consists of the Department of
Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Utility Control along with other
state employees overseeing the state’s environment and energy policy. This fact sheet
consists of entirely qualitative data describing the process of obtaining a permit under the
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act such as, “The sponsoring agency reviews and
responds to all comments and prepares a Record of Decision stating whether all
practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm have been adopted or
reasons why they have not” (“Connecticut”). Information from this source is incorporated
in implementing the plan to adequately explain how the CT DEEP and MA DEP will
conduct reporting the intended project to the state and public. As it provides guidelines
the agency must follow, the fact sheet provided extensive descriptions on how to gain
approval under the CEPA.

“Connecticut’s Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species.” Connecticut

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. 2015.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is a state agency in

Connecticut that is responsible for protecting the natural resources and environment
while regulating the energy utilized. The CT DEEP consists of the Department of
Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Utility Control along with other
state employees overseeing the state’s environment and energy policy. This list consists
of qualitative data based off of the frequency of the current quantity of species in the state
of Connecticut, such as, “Endangered, Roseate tern. Threatened, Least tern”
(“Connecticut’s”). Included in the implementing the plan section and the gaining support
 Oberlin 22

section, the categorizations of how threatened the species are elucidates the imperative
need to protect the dwindling populations and restore the ecosystem in which they reside.

“Dune Protection and Improvement.” Delaware Department of Natural Resources and

Environmental Control. 2020.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, (DNREC),

is the state agency responsible for the protection of the environment and natural resources
in the state of Delaware, while leading the front of policy in relation to environmental
stability. This source consists of mainly qualitative data on the significance of beach
grass to the dunes with few statistical points on the process of planting beach grass. For
example, “Although beach grass is a hardy plant, amazingly tolerant to high salinity
conditions, direct sun, extreme heat, lack of fertile soil and a fluctuating water supply, it
can not survive being trampled by vehicle or man” (“Dune”). To accentuate the careless
nature of humanity towards the dunes and their vegetation, this publication was
incorporated in the scope of the problem. The accusation towards society contributes to
raise awareness as to how simple alterations can greatly protect the existing dunes.

“Erosion Data.” State of the Beach/State Reports/MA/Beach Erosion. Beachapedia. 3 December

2015.

Beachapedia is a project in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation which is a nonprofit

environmental organization dedicated to protecting and preserving coastlines, oceans, and
beaches globally. The State of the Beach Report is a continually updated assessment of
the condition of the beaches nationwide to allow the public to access information on the
current health of the coastlines and empower viewers to initiate change. The source
contains a balance of qualitative and quantitative data yet the statistical values regarding
erosion rates are of greater importance such as, “Coastal Zone Management (CZM) staff
estimates that approximately 65% to 70% of the coastline is eroding” (“Erosion”). Data
from this source was utilized in the scope of the problem to capture the attention this
pervasive issue requires to ultimately preserve the dwindling coastline as well as in the
gaining support section to emphasize the dire need for supporters due to severe erosion
rates. These figures deliberately stress the detrimental fate of the nation’s coastlines to
which the majority of society disregards.

“Guidelines for a MESA Conservation & Management Permit.” Mass.gov. October 2017.

Mass.gov is the official website representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is

governed as a state agency with information available regarding all departments and
occurrences in the state of Massachusetts. This section of the site is provided by the
MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, NHESP, which is
responsible for the protection of jeopardized species and their habitats in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife which is
responsible for the conservation of wildlife including endangered species. This source
consists of primarily qualitative data, such as, “Quantify all temporary and permanent
impacts (e.g., provide table comparing acreage of available feeding, breeding, nesting,
 Oberlin 23

etc. habitat under existing and proposed conditions)” (“Guidelines”). Included in the
implementing the plan section, information from this source was utilized to explain the
required steps needed to complete an application to obtain a permit under the
Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. It gave insight on the necessary process to enact
a beach grass planting from the logistical aspect to which the CT DEEP and MA DEP
would undergo.

“Long Island Sound Habitat Restoration Initiative: Coastal Barriers, Beaches, and Dunes.” Long
Island Sound Study. February 2003.

The Long Island Sound Study is among the abundance of National Estuary Programs
funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), consisting of several state and
federal agencies in cooperation with conservation organizations. The LISS dedicates
themselves towards protecting and restoring the Long Island Sound through regulating
and stabilizing coastal ecosystems as a whole. This source consisted of a balanced blend
of qualitative and quantitative data, yet the statistical figures were established to be of
greater significance, such as, “Further calculations determined that beach swimming
generated $291 million in direct economic benefits for the Long Island Sound region”
(“Long”). Information from this source was incorporated in the scope of the problem to
exemplify the urgency to restore the degenerating habitats since an abundance of
federally endangered species reside within the dunes. Similarly, the economic prosperity
the Long Island Sound area generates was included in the evaluating resources section to
sway the CT DEEP and MA DEP to implement a beach grass planting as accumulated
profits are exceedingly high as well as beach visitation.

Mignone Jr., Anthony R. “Dunes and Ocean Front Structures Under Wave Attack.”
NOAA/National Weather Service. July 2013.

Anthony Mignone Jr. is an employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration, (NOAA), where he serves as a meteorologist. The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration is an agency of the federal government within the U.S.
Department of Commerce that is dedicated to analyzing and predicting aspects of the
weather, climate, oceans, and coastlines. The NOAA seeks to enhance the general public
through scientific information which they provide to all. Mignone worked in partnership
with the National Weather Service for this publication as he specialized in forecast
strategies to predict oceanic events that result in further degradation of the coastal sand
dunes. The National Weather Service is a United States federal agency that provides
weather forecasting and information to the public for absolute awareness. This report
consists primarily of qualitative data, such as, “As is frequently the case, coastal
inundation and resulting wave damage is often maximized in specific areas where there is
a large density of structures, minimal natural or manmade defense against wave attack,
low elevation relative to ocean level, a narrow beach buffer zones and exposure to large
ocean waves” (Mignone). Information related to the vulnerability of the dunes without
any means of stabilization was incorporated in the scope of the problem to emphasize the
dire need for restoration efforts to be enacted immediately.
 Oberlin 24

“$2.57 Million in Grants Awarded to Improve the Health of Long Island Sound.” Long
Island Sound Study. 4 December 2018.

The Long Island Sound Study is a joint organization comprised of the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Connecticut, and New York as it has been established as a
component of the EPA's National Estuary Program. This source primarily utilized
quantitative data including, “To date, the LISFF has invested $19.6 million in 416
projects. The program has generated an additional $36 million in grantee match, for a
total conservation impact of $55.6 million for locally based projects” (“Million”). The
article reinforces the vast quantity of funding available for projects to protect and restore
the Long Island Sound such as a beach grass planting. Information from this source was
incorporated in the evaluating resources in consideration of organizations to receive
grants from as well as the gaining support section to evaluate how to obtain this financial
support.

“The Nation’s Coastal Management Agency.” NOAA Office for Coastal Management. 20
November 2019.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is an agency of the federal

government within the U.S. Department of Commerce that is dedicated to analyzing and
predicting aspects of the weather, climate, oceans, and coastlines. The NOAA seeks to
enhance the general public through scientific information which they provide to all. The
Office for Coastal Management is a federal agency that serves as a branch of the NOAA
and is responsible for implementing measures to ultimately achieve balance in the coastal
environment. Consisting of a blend of qualitative and quantitative data, this source
includes crucial statistics on the vulnerability of the shoreline, such as, “Superstorm
Sandy, for instance, caused $71 billion in damage and killed 159 people. High tide
flooding has increased between 300 and 925 percent since the 1960s” (“Nation’s”).
Information related to the percentage of the U.S. population residing on the coast was
included in the gaining support section to exemplify the draw the shoreline possesses as a
vast majority desire to be in close proximity.

Oberlin, Ashley. “Restoration of Connecticut and Massachusetts Coastal Sand Dunes Survey.”
11 - 14 February 2020.

This personal survey conducted at Coventry High School from February 11, 2020,
through February 14, 2020, was intended to survey CHS science students of varying
grade levels, including students from an AP Environmental Science course and several
biology classes. While the sample size could have been greater to provide for less
statistical error, 64 responses were collected which can be relatively applied to the
general populations in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The data collected is somewhat
influenced by the surveying of solely science students, however while AP Environmental
Science is an elective course, biology is required regardless of student interest in the
subject matter. However, as Coventry High School is an esteemed high school in
Connecticut, student responses are considered to be both valid and reliable. From this
survey, almost entirely quantitative data was collected with one open response question.
 Oberlin 25

For example, 95.4% of students surveyed agreed that species such as the Piping Plover,
American Oystercatcher, Black Skimmer, and other endangered birds should be saved
from extinction in Connecticut (Oberlin). Statistical survey data was included in the
gaining support section to exemplify the willingness of CHS students to support a beach
grass planting to ultimately save endangered species, as well as a multitude of other
benefits to the coastal ecosystem. These figures advanced the ethical appeal, holding
society accountable for contributing to the degradation of Connecticut and Massachusetts
coastal sand dunes.

O’Donnell, Jennifer, Barrett, Juliana, and Slovinsky, Peter. “Connecticut Beaches and Dunes: A
Hazard Guide for Coastal Property Owners.” Connecticut Sea Grant. August 2016.

Jennifer O’Donnell is an associate research professor at the University of Connecticut in

the Department of Marine Sciences. O’Donnell received her bachelor’s degree from
Duke University, her master’s degree from the University of Delaware and her Ph.D.
from the University of Cambridge as she now specializes in oceanography and beach
erosion. Juliana Barrett works in partnership with O’Donnell for the Connecticut Sea
Grant, where Barrett holds a position in the Department of Extension. As a member with
the Connecticut Sea Grant for over 14 years, Barrett focuses on restoring and enhancing
coastal ecosystems. The Connecticut Sea Grant is a national network of university based
programs directed towards restoring and protecting coastal ecosystems while conducting
research and educating the public on current events. Peter Slovinsky is employed with the
Maine Geological Survey, a state agency that provides information to the public on the
current geological conditions in Maine. Slovinsky specializes in beach erosion and
shoreline changes, to which influenced this document. This source consists of primarily
qualitative data such as, “Most native dune plants have extensive root systems which,
when mature, stabilize the dune system against the forces of erosion” (O’Donnell et al).
However, the source also possessed some crucial quantitative data points such as, “9% of
Connecticut’s shoreline is considered critically eroding” (O’Donnell et al). With
information incorporated in the scope of the problem and gaining support sections, this
source reinforced the perilous state the coastlines remain in as the sand dunes are rapidly
eroding. In addition, the purpose of beach grass elaborated on in the document
contributed to demonstrating the effectiveness of replanting beach grass over other
stabilization methods.

“Passport to the Parks.” Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. 2020.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is a state agency in

Connecticut that is responsible for protecting the natural resources and environment
while regulating the energy utilized. The CT DEEP consists of the Department of
Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Utility Control along with other
state employees overseeing the state’s environment and energy policy. This source
utilizes primarily quantitative data such as, “Under this program parking fees are now
eliminated at Connecticut State Parks for those with Connecticut registered vehicles”
(“Passport”) with minimal qualitative data on the cost added to registration fees to
remove entrance fees. To urge the necessity to reenact a $1 entrance fee, information
 Oberlin 26

from this source was included in the implementing the plan section as well as gaining
support. In these sections, it was used to provide a description of the current situation of
entrance payment and what can be done to increase revenue at state beaches to fund
restoration activities.

“Shoreline Mileage Of the United States.” NOAA Office for Coastal Management. 2016.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is an agency of the federal

government within the U.S. Department of Commerce that is dedicated to analyzing and
predicting aspects of the weather, climate, oceans, and coastlines. The NOAA seeks to
enhance the general public through scientific information which they provide to all. The
Office for Coastal Management is a federal agency that serves as a branch of the NOAA
and is responsible for implementing measures to ultimately achieve balance in the coastal
environment. This source consists of entirely quantitative data regarding the linear
mileage of the United States coastline such as, “United States, 95,439. Connecticut, 618.
Massachusetts, 1,519” (“Shoreline”). Included in the gaining support section, the
statistics regarding the extent of mileage in each coastal state exacerbate how crucial the
shoreline is to the nation in providing residency to society and nature alike. While there is
an abundance of coastline in Connecticut and Massachusetts, humanity direly neglects
the importance this beach environment has to the nation as a whole.

“StormSmart Properties Comparison Chart - Relative Costs of Shoreline Stabilization Options.”

Mass.gov. September 2016.

Mass.gov is the official website representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is

governed as a state agency with information available regarding all departments and
occurrences in the state of Massachusetts. This section of the site is provided by the
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management which is the state agency delegating
the protection of coastal areas and oceans within the Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs (EEA). This source primarily consists of quantitative data such as,
“Planting Vegetation, Low, Low, 1-3 years, Low, None” (“StormSmart”) with numerical
values attached to the qualification of “low” in this description. Each level was in
response to an aspect of implementing stabilization techniques, so information from this
source was included in the scope of the problem to exemplify the favorability of
replanting vegetation over other restoration methods. Incorporating the relatively low
cost to implement a beach grass planting allows stakeholders to recognize the logistic
simplicity and economic benefits of this method.

Yamalis, Harry. Personal Interview. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental

Protection. 6 February 2020.

Harry Yamalis is an employee of the Connecticut Department of Energy and

Environmental Protection, DEEP, and is the Long Island Sound Study Habitat
Restoration Coordinator for the agency. The Connecticut Department of Energy and
Environmental Protection is a state agency in Connecticut that is responsible for
protecting the natural resources and environment while regulating the energy utilized.
 Oberlin 27

The CT DEEP consists of the Department of Environmental Protection and the

Department of Public Utility Control along with other state employees overseeing the
state’s environment and energy policy. In the interview, Yamalis utilized primarily
qualitative data in describing the state of Connecticut’s coastline including, “Traffic
makes ruts that kill the vegetation growing in there, and the ruts get deeper and deeper
until the sides collapse more and more resulting in a lower dune several feet in either
direction from the path” (Yamalis). Information from this interview was included in the
evaluating resources and gaining support sections to exemplify the economic and
logistical benefits a beach grass planting on the dunes would be as well as why this is the
best option in Connecticut. Similarly, his responses intensified the urgent need to restore
these coastal habitats as dune dwelling populations are dwindling and the beach as a
whole is dissipating.

Appendix A

Survey: Restoration of Connecticut and Massachusetts Coastal Sand Dunes Survey

Description:
My name is Ashley Oberlin, and I am a senior who is currently in the process of writing a
15 page research proposal for my AP English 12 class. I seek to restore and protect the critically
eroding sand dunes along the coastlines in Connecticut and Massachusetts by organizing and
implementing a statewide planting of American beach grass to rehabilitate these dunes. The sand
dunes along these coastlines are eroding rapidly due to intensifying weather and wave patterns as
well as perpetual human ignorance. This anonymous survey will be utilized to demonstrate how
important the beach environment is to society and the extent to which people neglect the
ecosystem within the dunes.

Question 1: I enjoy visiting the beaches along the Connecticut and Massachusetts shoreline.

A. Strongly Agree

B. Agree

C. Undecided

D. Disagree

E. Strongly Disagree

Question 2: I visit beaches in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

 Oberlin 28

A. Always

B. Frequently

C. Occasionally

D. Rarely

E. Never

Question 3: How likely would you be to take your future generations to the beach?

A. Extremely Likely

B. Very Likely

C. Likely

D. Undecided

E. Somewhat Likely

F. Not Very Likely

G. Not at all

Question 4: People do not properly care for the natural environment of state beaches.

A. Strongly Agree

B. Agree

C. Undecided

D. Disagree

E. Strongly Disagree

Question 5: Humans play a significant role in the erosion of the dunes by walking and driving on

them.

A. Strongly Agree

B. Agree
 Oberlin 29

C. Undecided

D. Disagree

E. Strongly Disagree

Question 6: There should be enforced restrictions on intrusion of the dunes at Connecticut and

Massachusetts beaches.

A. Strongly Agree

B. Agree

C. Undecided

D. Disagree

E. Strongly Disagree

Question 7: Species such as the Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Black Skimmer, and

other endangered birds should be saved from extinction in Connecticut. (Images below)

A. Strongly Agree

B. Agree

C. Undecided

D. Disagree

E. Strongly Disagree

Question 8: I would support a statewide event to plant American beach grass on existing sand

dunes to restore and rehabilitate the dwindling dunes.

A. Strongly Agree

B. Agree

C. Undecided

D. Disagree
 Oberlin 30

E. Strongly Disagree

Question 9: State beaches in Connecticut are free of charge to enter for in-state residents. I would

support a $1 charge to assist in funding the restoration of the dunes.

A. Strongly Agree

B. Agree

C. Undecided

D. Disagree

E. Strongly Disagree

Question 10: Why do people neglect and dismiss the diminishing state of sand dunes and the

beaches?
 Oberlin 31

Appendix B

Interview Transcript with Harry Yamalis - Harry Yamalis is an employee of the Connecticut

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, DEEP, and is the Long Island Sound Study

Habitat Restoration Coordinator for the agency. The Connecticut Department of Energy and

Environmental Protection is a state agency in Connecticut that is responsible for protecting the

natural resources and environment while regulating the energy utilized. The Long Island Sound

Study is a joint organization comprised of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),

Connecticut, and New York as it has been established as a component of the EPA's National

Estuary Program.

Oberlin: How do the sand dunes contribute to the charm and appeal of the beach environment?

Yamalis: Well, people like the shoreline, the beach, they like sand dunes, the big open space.

Unfortunately, some people we find don’t like the grass growing on them which holds the dunes

together. Some people have actually called to ask about removing the grass and claim the grass is

encroaching into their beach and we tell them that’s a good sign that your dune is growing

waterward instead of eroding landward so you have more beach for the future. Beaches come

and go, they’re dynamic systems, they’re always changing, they might look stable but even on a

day to day basis sand is eroding and accreting. Whether you have net accretion or net erosion

determines whether the dune is going to grow or shrink. People like painting dunes or
 Oberlin 32

photographing dunes. A lot of the times you’ll see the fences in dunes and it's an awesome

photograph, even though it looks like a shoddy, run-down fence, people are drawn to it.

O: How have the dunes visibly transformed over recent years? What do you believe will happen

to the dunes if restoration efforts are not enacted?

Y: One of the biggest problems we have in Connecticut is we don’t have a lot of wave energy

and wind energy coming from the ocean, Long Island is in the way blocking a lot of that stuff.

They’ve got large sand dunes oceanside on the south shore of Long Island but there’s much

smaller dunes here because of the wave and wind energy. We also have a smaller sand budget,

smaller sand supply to make these dunes. A lot of the shoreline has stone groins perpendicular to

shore, those block sand. If you look at aerial photographs like Google Maps you’ll see that one

side of the groin has a ton of sand on it while the other side has very little and the beach is

eroding because the transport is, you know, if the sand was on the left side, the transport is left to

right and it’s being blocked by that groin so the other side is being robbed. There is always

erosion and accretion going on, but a site like that has net erosion and very little accretion so it

can’t keep up and is getting smaller. There are so many of those on the shoreline and the biggest

beaches build up on one side of that groin but the property on the other side is robbed. The

structures are very old so we can’t do anything about them and we don’t authorize any new ones.

It is what it is, no one wants to take them out because it would just make their beach smaller.

Unfortunately that is the driver behind what’s causing the biggest erosion problems in our state. I

think second might be people walking on the dunes. Traffic makes ruts that kill the vegetation

growing in there, and the ruts get deeper and deeper until the sides collapse more and more

resulting in a lower dune several feet in either direction from the path.
 Oberlin 33

O: What measures can be taken to prevent further human intrusion on the dunes? Do you believe

current regulation over the protection of the dunes is effective?

Y: There isn’t much regulation unfortunately. This state doesn’t protect dunes in statute the way

we protect tidal wetlands and other natural resources. There is a very general formality in the

statutes of protecting dunes but it’s not enforceable. I heard some towns do protect dunes and

vegetation, I don’t know which ones, maybe just a rumor. If someone were to do a project that

impacted the dunes they might need a local permit as well from us. Repeat that question again?

O: What measures can be taken to prevent further human intrusion on the dunes?

Y: Education is a big part of it. Putting up fences and signs, they don’t have to be big fences,

even like a few stakes every few feet with a rope with a sign hanging off it saying keep off the

dunes that will keep the honest people out. You can put up signs and the people who want to get

into the dune will get into the dune and mess around. Keeping dogs off the dunes as well,

running around, keep them on a leash when you’re crossing over a dune onto the beach if they’re

allowed on the beach is a good thing because they’ll run around and tear everything up. They’ll

go after nesting birds and everything like that too during nesting season. Some conservation

groups will organize volunteers and plant beach grass in areas that need it that helps reverse

some of the damage done by people and by nature. Given that there is some natural damage they

can expect just living on the shoreline but given the impacts by people on the dunes over the

century, it may not be a bad idea to fix some of the natural damage to protect the habitat in the

long term.

O: To what extent are the dunes vital to maintaining stability in the beach ecosystem?

Y: They provide from storms protection for the properties and habitats behind the dunes. Like I

said, dunes are always moving so when we have big storms and the sand moves out of one spot
 Oberlin 34

and goes somewhere else, to feed the beach somewhere else, and gradually the dune that was

eroded will build back up to where it was or maybe bigger if there is a long period of time

without a big storm. Sand is transported into the water during storms and basically drifts either

east or west, depending on the shoreline and ends up somewhere else to another beach.

O: How have the populations of species including birds and other animals fluctuated throughout

the changes of the dunes?

Y: In general I think they’ve plummeted since pre-colonial times because humans have impacted

the shoreline more than anywhere else pretty much, in this part of the country at least. People

like the shore. There’s access to transportation, room for fishing, and just the draw of the

shoreline. That’s what people are drawn to, the resources, that’s why there’s so much damage

over the years to the shoreline.

O: Do you believe a statewide beach grass planting would be reasonable for the state of

Connecticut?

Y: It might be very expensive, some places just aren’t right for it. If the dunes are declining and

the beach grass is disappearing, there must be a reason for it and not knowing what that reason is

would lead to wasted money. Dune grass does really well in areas where the sand is building up,

like if you bury it it will find a way up and out of the sand but if there is any erosion going on,

roots are exposed, then they will die very quickly. The way it’s adapted over the years is that you

can bury it and it will be just fine but if you dig or erode the sand it’s gonna die quickly. So if

there’s erosion, like a beach behind, on the wrong side of the groin for example, that’s not the

right place to plant beach grass. I mean it might stabilize what’s there for a little while longer so

it will decline more slowly. There’s ways to do beach nourishment by bringing sand in with

trucks. It may not last very long, it depends on the wave and current energy at the area and it’s
 Oberlin 35

also very expensive. Some people do it, and sometimes there’s a dredging project that’s cleaned

sand coming out of a river like a navigation channel and you want to put it somewhere so you

can pump it on the beach. We did that at Hammonasset a couple years ago.

O: Was this method effective?

Y: Yeah, I mean some people didn’t like the way it looked since it was a little darker sediment,

I’m sure because there’s some finer mud next to the course sand as well but in time I think it

balanced out to be more natural, matching the sand that was there before. It is effective, every

coastal state does it with clean dredge material as long as it’s the right grain stock and

everything.

O: What has the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection attempted so far to restore

and protect existing sand dunes?

Y: We’ve funded some small sand dune restoration projects. We have signs that we can give out

to cities and towns and small beach locations that they can put up that say keep off the dunes. We

give information to local individuals and local towns as well to help them with their beaches in

town, what to do and what not to do, fact sheets and things like that, information on how to plant

beach grass, the best way to do it, the best time of year to do it. If they want to take on a project

like that, we have funded some of those projects but there’s other sources of funding as well not

just us to pay for the beach grass and materials. Usually you get volunteers to save a lot of

money but there might be a project leader or engineer running it who gets paid.

O: Who else gives funding for the replanting of beach grass, if you know this?

Y: There are federal dollars with a program called the Long Island Sound Futures Fund. They

give grants out for restoration and other activities annually and dune restoration has been the

most of projects they’ve funded. A long time ago we had a license plate fund, we don’t have one
 Oberlin 36

anymore, but it was the same type of process. It was a competitive program where people apply

and submit their proposals and we rate them and we fund the best one until we run out of money.

Some of those were dune and beach restoration projects but that was a long time ago. Now,

there’s so many license plates for people to choose from the license plate program, the lighthouse

one, doesn’t have as much money in it, it doesn’t raise the money so it’s not cost effective to

have the same program anymore.

O: To what extent would nearby beach front houses and properties be effected without the

presence of sand dunes?

Y: They might be affected more by storms, but again dunes are not a wall. They absorb the

energy by moving with the water to slow energy down so if the dune is washed out or wiped out

in a storm, pushed back into the marsh or your front yard of your house on the dunes, it did its

job. It may have buried a few square yards of marsh, which is also critical habitat and a natural

process so we don’t encourage people to undo that. In time, if the conditions are right, if there

was a dune there before it will probably build itself back up again. Another impact is maybe

value of the home as I’ve noticed that water front property, whether there’s a dune there or

seawall where the water crashes into it even at low tide, the price of houses is really high

anyways given the close proximity to the water and access to the water and the views and

everything. Having a dune or not having a dune may not change the value much but it does

change the protection level quite a bit. In a big storm, seawalls look strong and effective but they

can undermine, waves crash into the wall causing turbulence to wash out the sand at the base of

the wall and eventually the wall gets undermined and falls forward or caves into the water. Other

times we’ve seen walls that are maybe a little bit too high, the waves hit the top of the wall and it

smashed the cement. I’ve seen pieces of cement way more than me go flying 10 to 15 feet in the
 Oberlin 37

air through someone’s sliding glass door and it lands in their living room after Hurricane Sandy

and Irene. They give a false sense of protection, they are effective against small storms like the

average storm, thunderstorm, or winter nor'easter but a really bad storm just leads to more

damage waiting to happen.

O: Are the sand dunes along the Connecticut coastline at a lesser risk because they’re on the

Sound?

Y: I don’t know, the sand grains move so easily that even a smaller storm will move that stuff

around. The dunes are basically wind formed habitats, that’s what separates a dune from a pile of

sand and you can place sand somewhere and call it a dune but it really is just a pile of sand. I

think they’re equally at risk, I mean they don’t grow as big so when they start out small and you

lose some sand it looks like a lot worse damage than it really is maybe. Down in Florida and the

Carolinas, I’ve seen sand dunes that are 12… 15 feet high, maybe higher. A big storm comes in

and cuts the vertical face, it’s almost like a cliff of sand and it looks like a lot of damage when

there’s still a lot of sand there it’s just offshore and you give it a few months or years, that dune

builds right back up again. I think the potential for greater sand loss is down south, not in

Connecticut but the potential to restore them naturally more quickly is higher down south as

well. Everything is a smaller process with lower elevations around here, it’s hard to compare the

two really.

O: What is the significance of dune protection and why is it imperative that these structures be

protected and restored?

Y: There’s the habitat value for nesting birds, even small mammals can live in there. A little bit

of shoreline protection this way as the sand absorbs the energy and moves around so it may look

like it has been wiped out but it did its job. Leave the site alone and it will build it back up again.
 Oberlin 38

You can place sand to make it quicker but if there is not net accretion you’re just going to lose it

over time. There’s always accretion and erosion happening at the same time, it's the nature of a

sandy beach, it’s the net erosion or accretion that determines whether you will have a healthy

dune or not. Did I answer that one?

O: Yes thank you.

Appendix C
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“Bradley Beach Dune Planting Event.” American Littoral Society. 1 January 2017.

Strengthening societal awareness towards the pervasive issue affecting their precious coastlines

will invigorate the inclination to assist in restoring the dunes through volunteer efforts and

donations. A sample posting for the CT DEEP and MA DEP to create could potentially be

modeled as above to attract visitors and increase knowledge of the event.

Appendix D
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Oberlin, Ashley. “Restoration of Connecticut and Massachusetts Coastal Sand Dunes

Survey.” 11 - 14 February 2020.

95.4% of CHS science students surveyed agreed that species such as the Piping Plover,

American Oystercatcher, Black Skimmer, and other endangered birds should be saved from

extinction in Connecticut. With the overwhelming majority of respondents favoring the

protection of endangered species, the dire need to elicit conservation efforts to their habitats is

elucidated.

Appendix E
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Oberlin, Ashley. “Restoration of Connecticut and Massachusetts Coastal Sand Dunes

Survey.” 11 - 14 February 2020.

89.1% of CHS science students surveyed agreed that they would support a statewide event to

plant American beach grass on existing sand dunes to restore and rehabilitate the dwindling

dunes. With minimal opposition from the student body, the results may be applied to the general

populations in Connecticut and Massachusetts asserting that the average citizen is willing to

assist in the restoration of their beloved beach environment. As responses were collected with

students having little knowledge on the event, with advertising promoting the replanting of

American beach grass, a greater quantity of citizens would be likely to favor participation with

heightened awareness.

Appendix F
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Oberlin, Ashley. “Restoration of Connecticut and Massachusetts Coastal Sand Dunes

Survey.” 11 - 14 February 2020.

81.3% of CHS science students surveyed agreed that they would support a $1 charge to assist in

funding the restoration of the dunes. As beaches are treasured areas, the results can be

generalized to the population of Connecticut citizens that patrons would be more than willing to

finance the minute fee to protect their beloved beaches and their inhabitants. Since entrance fees

for in-state residents in Connecticut were designated at over $9 per vehicle previously, citizens

will disregard the charge as it is negligible in comparison.

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