Man-made structures such as sea walls, jettys, and even buildings and roads can alter the influence of these natural processes. Consequently, some areas have seen rapid rates of beach erosion, resulting in narrow beaches that are insufficient for recreational use or protection of upland properties. Beach erosion and loss of protective dunes has left the coast susceptible to damage from storms and hurricanes. To address this erosion problem Congress directed the U. S. Geological Survey's Marine and Coastal Geology Program in 1992 to initiate the West-Central Florida Coastal Studies Project. The study area spans approximatly 130 km of coast, and includes 18 barrier islands and inlets.
Beaches are an important aspect of the Florida economy, attracting tourists throughout the year.
The problem of beach erosion is an important issue in west Florida, evidenced by the number of related newspaper headlines , as the white sandy beaches attract tourists and drive a substantial portion of the economy. In response to beach erosion, several sections of the coast have undergone nourishment projects to restore beach widths to previous dimensions. This method of beach maintenance is expensive, typically costing well over a million dollars for each mile of beach, and needs to be repeated as often as every four years. While beach nourishment is becoming the most common means of addressing beach erosion, it may not provide a cost effective long-term solution, as sand resources are limited along much of the west Florida coast. Beach erosion can decrease the recreational value of beaches, as well as their ability to provide protection from storms.