Researcher says Harrison County beach is shrinking - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi
Member Center:
By Danielle Thomas - bio | email
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - Experts say Harrison County's beach is shrinking and will continue to do so without intervention. Since Hurricane Katrina, the coast has been plagued with the problem of large amounts of sand blowing onto Highway 90. On Saturday volunteers planted hundreds of plants to help control erosion.
Six-year-old Josh Simpson and his brother Luke went to the beach Saturday morning to do their part to help the environment.
"Because I wanted to help the Earth and help the beach," Josh said as he helped plant sea oats.
About 50 volunteers planted native grasses and trees along the beach across from Miramar Park. The Biloxi Bay Chamber is helping to oversee the project.
Executive Director Tina Ross-Seamans said "Today we're planting 1,300 sea oats. And the way they're being planted will actually form natural dunes."
The plants aren't just for aesthetics but also to keep sand off Highway 90 and prevent a hazard for drivers.
"In order to hold the sand in place, you need plants and plant roots," said Dr. Pete Melby, Mississippi State University professor of landscape agriculture. "That acts as armor to hold the beach together and keep the sand off the highway."
However, Dr. Melby says sand blowing onto Highway 90 is just part of the erosion problem. Incoming waves from the Mississippi Sound are also washing away beachfront. So in areas not heavily used by visitors, plans are to plant grasses all way to the coastline creating marshes and habitat for crabs and fish.
Dr. Melby said "We are losing one and a half feet of beach width a month in the three areas that we've been measuring for 13 months since renourishment. We're hoping we'll be able to plant edge erosion control plants that will help to keep the beach in place. We're optimistic but we think we can actually grow the beach southward with these beach edge plants. "
Money to cover the cost of today's planting came from the Department of Marine Resources Tidelands Fund.
©2009 WLOX. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
An active search is underway for a missing teenager in George County on Highway 198 in the Bexley area.
More >>An active search is underway for a missing teenager in George County on Highway 198 in the Bexley area.
More >>April is National Healthcare Volunteer Week, and in Gulfport giving back is a family affair for one pair of volunteers. Sandra Morrison is dedicated to making sure patients and visitors at Memorial Hospital's gift shop can find whatever they're looking for.
More >>April is National Healthcare Volunteer Week, and in Gulfport giving back is a family affair for one pair of volunteers. Sandra Morrison is dedicated to making sure patients and visitors at Memorial Hospital's gift shop can find whatever they're looking for.
More >>A free class happening Thursday in Jackson County is hoping to help those women turn the tables on their attackers.
More >>A free class happening Thursday in Jackson County is hoping to help those women turn the tables on their attackers.
More >>A Biloxi man is facing charges after police say he asked to use the phone of a funeral home and then stole a vehicle parked outside.
More >>A Biloxi man is facing charges after police say he asked to use the phone of a funeral home and then stole a vehicle parked outside.
More >>A $12,813.55 pay raise to Gulfport Public Information Officer Chris Vignes has struck a nerve with some in the City of Gulfport.
More >>A $12,813.55 pay raise to Gulfport Public Information Officer Chris Vignes has struck a nerve with some in the City of Gulfport.
More >>The man reportedly told two teenagers he didn’t have a problem having sex with juveniles, as long as it was “consensual.”
More >>The man reportedly told two teenagers he didn’t have a problem having sex with juveniles, as long as it was “consensual.”
More >>Kyle Plush's family stormed out of a City Hall meeting after sitting through five hours of testimony Tuesday, saying one councilman "crossed the line."
More >>Kyle Plush's family stormed out of a City Hall meeting after sitting through five hours of testimony Tuesday, saying one councilman "crossed the line."
More >>The first call to 911 from 16 year-old Kyle Plush is haunting. He's trapped in his car but the dispatcher is having trouble hearing him. Dispatcher: "Where are you?" Kyle Plush: "If you don't send help I'm gonna die soon."
More >>The first call to 911 from 16 year-old Kyle Plush is haunting. He's trapped in his car but the dispatcher is having trouble hearing him. Dispatcher: "Where are you?" Kyle Plush: "If you don't send help I'm gonna die soon."
More >>Shortly after America learned of the death of former first lady Barbara Bush on Tuesday, English professor Randa Jarrar used her verified Twitter account to share her views on Mrs. Bush.
More >>Shortly after America learned of the death of former first lady Barbara Bush on Tuesday, English professor Randa Jarrar used her verified Twitter account to share her views on Mrs. Bush.
More >>Are you in the market for a new child's car seat? If you have an old one, exchange it at Target for a voucher that can be used to purchase a new car seat, booster seat, car seat base, or travel system.
More >>Are you in the market for a new child's car seat? If you have an old one, exchange it at Target for a voucher that can be used to purchase a new car seat, booster seat, car seat base, or travel system.
More >>The handcuffed arrest of two black men at a Philadelphia Starbucks served as a fresh reminder of the perils of "retail racism" that African-Americans and minorities encounter on a regular basis.
More >>The handcuffed arrest of two black men at a Philadelphia Starbucks served as a fresh reminder of the perils of "retail racism" that African-Americans and minorities encounter on a regular basis.
More >>A bank in Australia is under fire for charging fees to dead customers - in one case, for a whole decade.
More >>A bank in Australia is under fire for charging fees to dead customers - in one case, for a whole decade.
More >>Officials are looking for a missing 2-year-old that was set to be removed from her parents in Kershaw County.
More >>Officials are looking for a missing 2-year-old that was set to be removed from her parents in Kershaw County.
More >>South Carolina lawmaker has released a video from inside Lee Correctional Institution the night of the prison riots that killed seven and left 22 other inmates injured.
More >>South Carolina lawmaker has released a video from inside Lee Correctional Institution the night of the prison riots that killed seven and left 22 other inmates injured.
More >> |  208 DeBuys Road
Biloxi, MS 39531 (228) 896-1313
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2018 Raycom Media. All Rights Reserved. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service, and Ad Choices.
|
