Shoreline erosion - Cinnamon Bay, St John, US Virgin Islands

Dolan, Robert; Hayden, Bruce

Update on the work done to understand beach dynamics of Cinnamon Bay and make recommendations about the historic structure which is threatened by beach erosion. Following the completion of a year-long study of the dynamics of Hawksnest, Trunk, and Cinnamon Bays on St. John, we made recommendations pertinent to management choices. In our report Virgin Islands Beach Processes Investigation: St. John, Virgin Islands we stated: "We are convinced that the best management strategy is to recognize that beaches are ephemeral features of the landscape and that any structure resting within the range of this system's intermediate and/or long-term fluctuations should not be considered a permanent addition to the landscape. This is particularly sound management strategy within the Virgin Islands when the possible consequences of shoreline engineering are considered. Therefore, it is our recommendation that the National Park Service: 1) Relocate or demolish the Danish warehouse at Cinnamon Bay in the near future. 2) Remove the rocks that now serve as a temporary revetment, since this structure is not only unsightly and a visitor safety hazard but also contributes to accelerated erosion via wave reflection. 3) Assume a policy that all natural features, as well as archaeological sites, located in the vicinity of the active shore zone, including such individual plant specimens as the Cinnamon Bay Kapok tree, are temporary elements of the landscape and, therefore, expendable."

Shoreline erosion - Cinnamon Bay, St John, US Virgin Islands

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