Highlights from the Corps of Engineers at ASBPA’s Coastal Summit

October 4, 2020

Our microphone brings you highlights from the ASBPA Summit

An annotated “highlight reel” of presentations by the US Army Corps of Engineers at the recent National Coastal Summit hosted by American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA). Most of the episode is Chief of Engineers, General Todd Semonite talking about how the Corps is changing to embrace Natural & Nature Based Features in construction and Engineering With Nature principles, as well as how he’s working to “revolutionize” Corps operations. We also hear from Amy Guise with Baltimore District, Jackie Keiser from Jacksonville District, and Scudder Mackey with Ohio DNR about regional coastal resilience studies in the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Great Lakes regions. Finally, you’ll learn whether Ice Tsunamis are something Jon Snow has to deal with from the Night King or something Great Lakes coastal managers have to plan for during a normal winter (spoiler alert: the Midwest can get very cold!)

Show Transcription
This transcription was generated by a computer. Please excuse any errors.
Derek Brockbank

Derek Brockbank is Executive Director of Coastal States Organization (CSO), which represents the nation’s Coastal States, Territories, and Commonwealths on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes issues. With two decades of experience in Washington DC on coastal adaptation policy and organizational development, Derek is connecting state coastal management programs with federal agencies and resources in order to address the greatest coastal challenges facing society. He previously served as executive director for the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) where he led the strategic planning and outreach, government affairs, and development goals of the nation’s leading organization advocating for beach and coastal restoration. Prior to starting with ASBPA, Derek worked as campaign director for a coalition effort to restore the Mississippi River Delta and Coastal Louisiana, and was part of a gulf-wide campaign to pass the RESTORE Act, securing billions of dollars for Gulf Coast restoration. This followed up on his work with National Wildlife Federation on climate adaption. Derek grew up in New York City and got his coastal education from an early age playing on the beaches of Long Island, and kayaking and fishing in Peconic Bay.