Tremendous changes have occurred this century in the nation's coastal habitats, in the way society views them, and in the way they are managed. This volume offers a complete, highly readable assessment of how scientific knowledge and coastal engineering capabilities can be more effectively used to protect and restore marine habitat. It addresses traditional and innovative uses of technology to protect remaining natural marine habitats, to enhance or restore those that have been altered, and to create marine habitat from lands used for other purposes. The use of dredged materials as a vital resource in protection and restoration work is explored. The book also explores organizational, management, and regulatory barriers to using the best available technology and engineering practice. Specific options for improvements are offered in each area.

• Front Matter
• Executive Summary
• 1 Indroduction
• 2 Scientific and Engineering Perspectives
• 3 The State of Engineering Practice in Marine Habitat Management
• 4 The Application of Protection and Restoration Technology in Marine Habitat Management
• 5 Institutional Issues Affecting Marine Habitat Management
• 6 Improving Project Performance
• 7 Research Needs
• 8 Conclusions and Recommendations
• Appendix A: Biographical Sketches
• Appendix B: Case Studies
• Appendix C: Source Reference Table
• Appendix D: Summary of Solicited Expert Accounts
• References