MANAGING CARIBBEAN COASTS: THE COASTAL COMPARTMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Caribbean island coasts, and similar settings, often are comprised of pocket beaches separated by rocky headlands. These natural "coastal compartments" are characterized by unique sets of hydrodynamics and geology, often with little connection. In Puerto Rico, for example, adjacent beach compartments may vary from calcium carbonate sands where sediment is shelf-derived, to siliciclastics where the compartment is associated with a stream mouth, indicating a lack of sediment transport past the headlands. Traditional management plans have not recognized the significance of compartmental differences, and a “one size fits all” approach has been taken.

We propose prioritizing management plans for compartmentalized coasts by considering the uniqueness of individual coastal compartments through the Coastal Compartment Management Plan (CCMP). Compartments are determined based on quick geological analyses of beach settings, hydrodynamics, and geoindicators of hazards. A simple procedure is important for island governments that lack resources for more sophisticated data bases. A compartment can then be managed collectively by the various stake holders (e.g., resorts, communities, government entities such as parks). Antigua provides a model.

Dickenson Bay, Antigua would be a top-priority compartment based on its significant shoreline length, wave exposure (no sheltering reefs), historical storm response, state of the shoreline, number of existing hotels, and pressure for more development. In contrast, English Harbor has fewer beaches, and fewer hotels or other large buildings on the waterfront. The combination of a steeper offshore slope, offshore barriers, and steeper onshore topography make this area a lower-risk zone. Darkwood Beach is in between. This beach is highly erosive because of its exposure and due to sand mining. This compartment is given a lower priority because of the lack of development. The oceanfront road is the only infrastructure and could be moved if necessary. In summary, the CCMP advantage is that it breaks the large shoreline into more manageable stretches. Decisions are based on real-world conditions, and a cooperative strategy is forged between stakeholders, rather than applying a general management scheme on a microscale (property by property).