Evaluation for coastal reclamation feasibility using a comprehensive hydrodynamic framework: A case study in Haizhou Bay. Issue 1 (15th November 2015) - Feng, Lan
Abstract: Coastal reclamation (CR) is a prevailing approach to solve the contradiction between the land shortage and the growing demand of living space for human beings. In general, environmental impact assessment (EIA) focuses on evaluating the feasibility of individual coastal reclamation project (CRP). However, few studies have investigated the cumulative effect of multiple CRPs on surrounding environment. In this study, an integrated framework based on coastal hydrodynamics was established, and then applied to the feasibility evaluation of multiple CRPs for future coastal management in Haizhou Bay, China. The results indicated that three out of five reclamation projects were feasible and the remaining two were forbidden in the study area, whereas EIA approves of all the CRPs. It provides a scientific reference for effective management of coastal reclamation and future environmental impact researches when new CRPs are proposed. Highlights: A hydrodynamic integrated evaluation method was established for coastal reclamation. The method attempts to evaluate feasibility of multiple CRPs. Three out of the five CRPs were feasible in the study area. The evaluation results were inconsistent with the results of the EIAs. The study provides evidence for the need to reformulate EIAs on coastal reclamation.