SUSSEX COUNTY, Delaware – The Delaware coastline attracts many from boating to the beaches. It is these recoveries that contribute to the local economy and ultimately that of the state. An update of the Coastal Economy Project, undertaken 10 years ago, will provide the necessary updates on the coastal environmental changes since then and their impact on local businesses that depend on them.
Caitlin Wilson, a graduate student at the University of Delaware, and assistant professor James Rising will lead the research into the state of the coast, speaking with beach town governments and businesses to see how these conditions have affected them. In the first phase of updating this report, the available data from the last study must be reflected.
“What the previous report found was that for every dollar spent, almost $2 produces $1.67 for the rest of the state, and so the contribution of the coastal economy is actually quite a bit larger than what might be expected from just that could cities themselves.” Rising said.
Captain Brinleigh Parsons of Fisherman’s Wharf in Lewes said she has seen the environment change which has impacted and will continue to impact the business: “For example this year we’ve had seal-watching cruises at The Point where it’s on the nautical charts stands where it drops 40 to 50 feet down…it’s about 25 feet down now.”
Beach towns in Lewes and the South hope this study draws the state’s attention to the threat of sea level rise, increased flooding and other concerns.
The study follows the same IMPLAN model as the original from 10 years ago and is supported by the Delaware Sea Grant.
The report for this project is expected to be completed by June 5th.
More information about this study can be found here.
Comments are closed.