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Tybee Island Prepares for Rising Waters with Help from Institute Environmental Experts

Tybee Island officials and residents are joining forces with the Vinson Institute's Environmental Policy Program, Georgia Sea Grant, and the Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to formulate a plan for responding to encroachment by rising tides and storm surges on the barrier island.

During a recent meeting, Institute Environmental Sustainability Analyst Jason Evans presented Tybee Island officials and residents with a range of options for stemming the tide, including sea walls, elevated infrastructure, beach re-nourishment, property buyouts, and modified zoning ordinances. Vinson Institute environmental policy faculty will coordinate a series of technical workshops designed to help Tybee Islanders identify properties and infrastructure most vulnerable to damage from sea level rise. They will also study and convey effective options for protecting the island's assets from sea water encroachment. Researchers will use advanced mapping technology to make cost-benefit analyses and property risk assessments.

The two-year project is funded through a $98,985 grant by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Sea Grant Program and will potentially serve as a model for other coastal communities in Georgia and the Southeast, and nationwide.

The Institute's Environmental Policy Program team helps state and local governmental officials address a range of issues, including regional water planning, soil quality and erosion, zoning, and solid waste management through specialized research, customized assistance, training, and policy analysis. The environmental team can also facilitate meetings between stakeholders relating to environmental policy matters.