Beach Economics & Resiliency

Pennsylvania Lake Erie Environmental Forum

June 18, 2024

Meeting Summary

Beach economics and resiliency issues as well as innovative technology were the focus for the Pennsylvania Lake Erie Environmental Forum (PA LEEF) on June 18, 2024, at 9:00AM Eastern. This meeting was the first in-person meeting since the COVID19 pandemic of 2020. The meeting was hosted at Rotary Pavilion on Presque Isle State Park and included 25 attendees. This forum was one of many in a series hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) and Pennsylvania Sea Grant funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Invited local speakers came together to discuss beach erosion and other issues threatening Presque Isle State Park. Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park attracts over 4 million visitors each year. Erie locals and visitors from across the world can enjoy the park year-round for its many recreational opportunities including free beach access, fishing, duck hunting, canoeing, kayaking, birding, and hiking. With less Lake Erie ice coverage than ever before, Presque Isle State Park battles the consequences of beach and shoreline erosion which impacts tourism, recreation, and safety, and can lead to tens of thousands of dollars in damage and preventative action. Beach economics and resiliency are critical discussions to sustain Erie’s recreational economy and protect this local Lake Erie gem.

Speakers and demonstrations included the professionals and topics below:

• Great Lakes Updates: Tim Bruno, Great Lakes, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP)
• Lake Trout: Restoration of a native keystone predator in the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie: Jim Grazio, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP)
• BeBot and PixieDrone Demonstration: Ally Walker, Council on the Great Lakes Region and Gautier Peers, Poralu Marine
• Presque Isle and Beach Erosion: Matt Greene, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Weston Cross, United State Army Corps of Engineers

Following the meeting, attendees and the Pennsylvania Lake Erie Environmental Forum invitees were asked to complete a survey to inform DCNR’s master planning of Presque Isle State Park. The survey included four questions: (1) What is the greatest environmental threat to Presque Isle State Park? (2) What can Presque Isle State Park do to mitigate this environmental threat? (3) What is the greatest economic threat to Presque Isle State Park? (4) What can Presque Isle State Park do to mitigate this economic threat? The survey yielded 18 responses from the PA LEEF community which were compiled and passed on to DCNR.

Agenda