Update on use of Federal offshore sand for beach nourishment projects

Coastal shoreline protection and beach nourishment are significant issues for many coastal States along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. In some areas, there is a critical need to identify suitable sources of sand for possible use in public works projects for coastal protection. The continental shelf contains large resources of sand and gravel that could be used to support such projects. The Department of the Interior's (DOI) Minerals Management Service (MMS) provides policy direction and guidance for development of the resources located on the Federal portion of the continental shelf This paper highlights the MMS's Sand Program, focusing on its cooperative resource and environmental studies with several coastal States, significant milestones and accomplishments, and anticipated activities in 1998 and those of the subsequent years.