In the study, three independent teams of coastal researchers estimate future erosion at Ocean City through the year 2075. With accelerated sea level rise, beaches may erode up to an average of 813 feet by 2075, requiring as much as 40 million cubic yards of sand along the 8 mile coastline to maintain the current beach. As beaches and dunes erode, already vulnerable development will become even more susceptible to storm damages. Storm surges will have a higher base to build upon, so the remaining, previously impervious dunes will be overtopped more easily. Because the historical rate of erosion has not been realized since 1960, beach profiles have steepened beyond the equilibrium slope. The next major storm could cause the equivalent of 30 or more years worth of long term erosion. The report concludes that shore protection strategies should shift from groins to beach nourishment because the latter protects against erosion due to alongshore transport and sea level rise, while the former only protects against alongshore transport.

"October 1985"--Cover. Includes bibliographical references.