Mitigating Boatwake-induced erosion along the Kenai River, Alaska

Little boats and big concerns? Seeking a balance between ecotourism and motorboat use in Tortuguero, Costa Rica.

“…This result differs from much of the literature, which tends to emphasize the environmental impacts of motorboat related erosion (e.g. Dorava, 2001;Maynord, 2005;Parnell, 2001), and not the social and economic implications of shoreline property loss due to erosion. While literature on property loss via erosion exists about landslides, beach front properties and wave-caused erosion (e.g.…”

“…Almeyda, et al, 2010;Campbell, 2003;Campbell, et al, 2008;Lee & Snepenger, 1992;Meletis & Harrison, 2010) and to the various literatures addressing relationships between motorboat use and recreation or tourism (e.g. Bulte, et al, 2010;Constantine, et al, 2004;Dorava, 2001;Farrell & Marion, 2001;Gorzelany, 2008;Grant & Lewis, 2010;Haviland-Howell et al, 2007;Smethurst & Nietschmann, 1999).…”

“…Bank erosion, also referred to as shoreline erosion, is an impact of concern related to motorboat use, and is attributed to boat-caused waves (Bhowmik, 1975;Bhowmik, Soong, Reichelt, & Seddik, 1991;Bradbury, et al, 1995;Curtiss, 2009;Dorava, 2001;Osborne, 1999). Bank erosion:…”

“…Similar problems and impacts arise in many places where boat-based transportation is central to the local economy, transportation, and community, and where forgoing motorboats is impossible. This is especially true of places where both boat use and maintaining a 'natural aesthetic' are intimately tied to the local tourism economy and associated livelihoods (Castelblanco-Martinez et al, 2009;Dorava, 2001;Elmeligi, 2008;Jett & Thapa, 2010;Lopez-Espinosa, 2002;Nowacek et al, 2004;Wetzel & Van Vleet, 2004).…”

“…Many erosion-related motorboat studies focus on experimental boat wake-induced erosion impacts on wildlife or the environment along banks uninhabited by humans (e.g. Bauer, et al, 2002;Dorava, 2001;Maynord, 2005). In addition, many such studies use technologies that are expensive and unavailable to most of the developing world (Altbach, 2004).…”