New bill mandates formation of government firm tasked with preventing seaside cliff erosion; cliff stabilization efforts to cost half billion shekels

Zvi Lavi
Published: 08.27.12,

The Knesset recently approved a bill presented by the Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan, which intends to protect the stability of the seaside cliffs that face the Mediterranean Sea.

The bill mandates the establishment of a new government company which will work towards stabilizing the cliffs and preventing their further erosion.

In order to maintain the cliff stabilization efforts, the new company will invest some half a billion shekels in the project over the next few years.

Erdan told the ministers that waves, wind, and tide action can cause erosion at the base of cliffs. The cliffs lose 40-50 cm (15- 19 inches) every year, causing Erdan to believe that the waves threaten to erode the cliff completely.

The minister emphasized that the lack of stability further endangers the lives of bathers, property and could cause damage which could amount to millions of shekels.

“In order for us stop the cliff’s erosion, we must see this project as a “national effort” that requires all of our resources,” said Erdan.

The new company will focus on building and maintaining a wave barrier which will protect the seaside cliffs from the waves threatening their stability.

The company will also make sure that the local authorities fulfill their duties to set up additional land-based defensive measures.

In addition to the natural erosion of the cliffs, the destabilization has accelerated over the past few years, mainly due to the marina’s activity in the area.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4272234,00.html