An evaluation of avoided losses attributed to natural features in both “indirect” and “direct” impact scenarios combined with a systematic approach to relating the avoidance of loss to Natural and Nature Based Features (NNBF) would help in broadening NNBF usage. Results would also inform future policy and actions related to marginalized communities living within high risk coastal regions. Hurricanes Katrina (2005), Hurricane Harvey (2016), and extreme flooding in Louisiana (2016) have revealed disparities in how communities recover from extreme events. With such studies and information, issues of equity, vulnerability, and resilience could be woven into the strategy for how the project is planned. For example, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season produced a record 30 named storms, and the 2021 season produced 21 named storms. In addition to record storm seasons, sea level rise continues to threaten coastlines, and intensifying rainstorms amplify individual and compound flood events. Thus, the importance of understanding how natural features and NNBFs perform under hurricane and other extreme wind or rainstorm conditions as well as other natural disasters is critical.
This work represents an opportunity to develop case studies highlighting the performance/impact to natural features or natural and nature-based features (NNBF) during recent natural disaster events such as hurricanes, and flooding. Many university researchers have gathered recent pre/post storm data using various metrics. While there are often mechanisms to collect data, opportunities to perform thorough analyses and develop case studies are not always feasible. This requirement is to develop a subset of sampling events into a case study that describes the coastal protection gained from a natural or nature-based feature in collaboration with USACE. This is an opportunity to identify and use existing data from past storm seasons to develop case studies demonstrating the performance of natural features. Ultimately, case study results would also be used to relate natural performance to anticipated performance of NNBF features. Case studies could be focused on natural features such as dunes, marshes, reefs, etc. or NNBFs. Previously collected data used to develop case studies might include (but is not limited to) a combination of wave attenuation and water movement data, sediment transport data, elevation data, and vegetation or other ecological data.
Statement of Interest/Qualifications Due Date: 15 July 2022
This opportunity is restricted to non-federal partners of the North Atlantic Coast, Chesapeake Watershed, Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast, South Florida-Caribbean, California and Pacific Northwest, and Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU).
Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential investigators for studies to be sponsored by the Engineer Research and Development Center to develop case studies. The estimated level of funding for FY22 is approximately $35,250 per statement of interest. We except to award up to two (2) cooperative agreements.
