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This project examined potential shoreline impacts resulting from removing a seawall located on Skaket Beach, in the Town of Orleans, Cape Cod, MA. This seawall is being considered for removal because it is seen as an obstacle to an intertidal walking trail along this stretch of coastline. Included in this study is an assessment of existing conditions at the seawall, description of the sand transport climate in the vicinity of Skaket Beach, and an evaluation of historic shoreline changes based on data from previous studies.

For the removal of seawall at Skaket Beach, Applied Coastal recommended a “managed retreat” approach for maintaining the exposed fill, assuming that the fill material is compatible with the beach. The governing philosophy of managed retreat is to use existing fill material as the basis for the dune in this region, thereby allowing the beach/dune system to evolve naturally. In this case, appropriate measures would include planting of dune grass and other native plants on the exposed fill.

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