FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2009
Contact: Tina Haisman, ASBPA media relations – (239) 292-2882 or media@asbpa.org
National beach group spotlights coastal achievements
FORT MYERS, FL – The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) honored individuals and shoreline projects at a special banquet on Oct. 15 on St. Pete Beach as part of its 2009 National Coastal Conference, "Integrating Coastal Science and Policy."
Morrough P. O’Brien Award
The organization presented its highest honor for lifetime achievement – the Morrough P. O’Brien Award – to Charles Finkl, Ph.D. Dr. Finkl is an internationally respected coastal scientist who has not only furthered the state of the art through his research and life’s work, but also through his creation of the Journal of Coastal Research in 1984. This journal, published through the Coastal Educational Research Foundation (also started by Dr. Finkl) has grown to become the leading U.S. and multidisciplinary international journal linking coastal science, management and engineering. Dr. Finkl was nominated for this award by 14 of his peers representing leaders in coastal science, engineering and management experts in five different countries.
“This award honors Charlie’s ongoing dedication to coastal research and the dissemination of coastal information,” said Harry Simmons, ASBPA president and mayor of Caswell Beach, N.C. “For an organization like ours, which bases its policy positions on science, having more people like Charlie would do us a world of good.”
Member of the Year Award
The ASBPA also honored Michael Dombrowski as its Member of the Year for 2009. Though a recent addition to the organization’s board of directors, Dombrowski has been extremely active on a number of ASBPA committees.
Dombrowski is the founder and President of MRD Associates, Inc. located in Destin, Fla. Over the past 20 years, he has been the project engineer on a number of beach restoration and coastal structures projects. He is a registered Professional Engineer in multiple states and obtained a master of science degree in coastal and oceanographic engineering from the University of Florida. 
“New board members are important to the future of ASBPA,” Simmons said. “I’m quite pleased to see Michael jump into our activities with such vigor, and hope this award will encourage others to do so as well.”
Educational Award
This year the ASBPA recognized two students with its Educational Award. The ASBPA gives the award annually to undergraduate or graduate students who, through their research, furthers the science of coastal or riverine systems as it relates to the goals and mission of the ASBPA. The nomination for the award includes the submission of a paper suitable for presentation and review by the Shore & Beach editorial board; Shore and Beach is the peer-reviewed coastal management technical journal published quarterly by the ASBPA.
This year's recipients are Tiffany Roberts of the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa and Alicia Mahon of the Stevens Institute in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Roberts was selected for her paper titled, “Performance of Several Beach Nourishment Projects along the Microtidal, Low-Energy, West-Central Florida Coast, USA.” Roberts is currently working on her Ph.D. in geology at USF. Roberts is currently working on various projects including physical monitoring of nourishment projects in Pinellas County, Fla. and monitoring sand and gravel transport from nourishments on Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Mahon was selected for her paper titled, “Assessment of Alternative Beach Placement on Surfing Resources.” Mahon has been a member of the Stevens research team since the program’s inception, and she continues to monitor monthly changes in the beach conditions. She is currently studying the effects of Hurricane Bill as it relates to the Feed Beach coastline.
Both students will present their findings at the ASBPA’s national conference.
Coastal Scholar Award
The ASBPA has created a new award for 2009 – the Coastal Scholar Award ― the first honoree of the award is Amy Williams, a graduate student at Texas A&M University and a previous winner of the ASBPA's Educational Award. As the coastal scholar, Williams will work hand-in-hand with coastal experts as the staff assistant to the ASBPA’s Science and Technology Committee. Additionally, Williams will assist the organizing committee for the ASBPA’s 2010 Coastal Summit in Washington, DC.
“The future of coastal America depends on how well we bring more smart people into the discussion on coastal issues,” Simmons said. “I look forward to watching Amy and others like her as they become our great minds of the future.”
Project Award The 2009 ASBPA Coastal Project Award was given to the Pinellas County (Florida) shore protection project. This award is for coastal projects that have stood the test of time and shown a positive environmental, social or recreational benefit.
As one of the oldest shore protection projects in Florida, the Pinellas County project has been a success story for more than 40 years and 29 nourishments. Prior to the initiation of the project, the Pinellas shoreline had many seawalls and very little beach area. Started in 1966, the project has grown to include more than 13 miles of the 35 oceanfront miles of Pinellas County; the most recent nourishment occurred in 2009.
“After a long, concerted effort by a number of shorefront communities, the beaches of Pinellas County now boast invaluable storm protection, recreational opportunities and critical nesting habitat to threatened and endangered sea turtles,” said Simmons.
Founded in 1926, the ASBPA promotes the integration of science, policies and actions that maintain, protect and enhance the coasts of America. For more information on ASBPA, go to www.asbpa.org, facebook or www.twitter.com/asbpa.
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ABOUT ASBPA: Founded in 1926, the ASBPA promotes the integration of science, policies and actions that maintain, protect and enhance the coasts of America. For more information on ASBPA, go to www.asbpa.org, facebook or www.twitter.com/asbpa.
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