Project Profile: Designing and Implementing Pilot Resiliency Projects at Southeastern Coastal Fortifications

Gulf Islands National Seashore is located in Florida and preserves the sites of several coastal fortifications along the gulf coast, including Fort Pickens.

NPS

Inflation Reduction Act
Resilience | FY24 $491,200

The National Park Service will evaluate and plan for the near- and long-term resilience of southeastern coastal fortifications, significant heritage structures that are at risk due to climate change. The project will establish a structural stability investigation protocol, facilitate post-storm recovery, develop incident resource orders and sample repair costs and services, and complete a multi-state programmatic agreement for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. 

Why? Sea level rise, storm surges, and heavy rainfall have already affected several parks in the Southeast. These parks have forts located on the coast that are directly affected by changing coastal climate conditions. The forts vary from old stone structures from the 17th and 18th centuries to newer concrete ones from the late 19th century. These forts are showing signs of climate change impacts, such as structural movement, damage from strong storm surges, problems with stormwater drainage, and rising groundwater levels for forts built in low-lying areas.

What else? This pilot project will focus on ensuring the structural stability of a selected fortification. The study will look at how changing coastal conditions are affecting the fort's structural integrity, including soil bearing capacity and movement. University-led teams will involve students in the application of sea-level rise and storm surge models.

About the Inflation Reduction Ac

The Inflation Reduction Act provides the National Park Service with an historic opportunity to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs. Projects funded in national parks represent broad-scale and impactful resource investments across every corner of out nation—from Alaska to Florida to Maine.