When it comes to the best beaches in America, Florida is often close or wins the competition.
The Sunshine State typically makes the top 10 beach list famously compiled by Dr. Beach for it’s ample white beaches and calm seas, however these qualitative attributes fail to factor in ever-growing problems facing our beaches like erosion, coastal preservation and sea level rise.
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Surfrider’s 2021 State of the Beach Report accounts for these factors in their annual list of the states with the best beaches.
Georgia saw the nation’s biggest increase going from an ‘F’ to a ‘C’- grade. The improvement comes from the state embracing sea level rise planning, advancing adaptation strategies and working more closely with local governments. Florida on the other hand only gets a ‘D’ grade.
Although Florida has recently made serious headway planning for sea level rise, the study says the state relies on beach fill which is extremely expensive and often ineffective. The state also continues to have weaker development and coastal armoring standards. Without updating development and redevelopment standards, Florida’s coast will be increasingly impacted by the effects of climate change.
States like Maryland, Maine and California scored an ‘A’ from protecting environmentally sensitive habitats, implementing best sediment management practices, and incorporating sea level rise adaptation measures.
Some of the lowest grades surrounded the Great Lakes and Gulf states which are the most vulnerable to extreme weather events like river flooding and destructive hurricanes.