Nature Based Solutions at MacDill Air Force Base

MacDill Air Force Base (AFB), situated on an exposed peninsula at the north end of Tampa Bay (Figure 1), faces significant challenges of shoreline erosion and flooding that will be exacerbated in future years by climate-related effects such as sea-level rise and predicted increases in the frequency and intensity of storm events (Tampa Bay Partnership, 2022; Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, 2024). The natural configuration of the AFB provides significant opportunities to employ nature-based solutions (NBS), actions inspired by nature that rely on incorporation of natural features and processes. NBS—several of which have been used on site in the past—can provide multiple advantages when used alone or in combination with “gray infrastructure” solutions (levees, seawalls, etc.). These benefits include reducing flood risk, protecting facilities and infrastructure, and supporting ecosystem service co-benefits and habitat creation (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE], 2023). In addition, use of NBS at MacDill AFB can provide a demonstration of the utility and opportunities of NBS to other stakeholders in the region. Potential high-value opportunities for NBS at the site include restoring the historical longshore bar system, expanding existing submerged shallow shelf habitat, and creating barrier islands. All NBS under consideration require sediment of varying characteristics for implementation.

The Water Institute is facilitating a Structured Decision Making (SDM) process that will engage decision makers and the public on the NBS alternatives and lead to an engineering design of a chosen alternative. Upcoming field data collections will inform the development of a numerical model that will be used to evaluate each alternative.

For more information on the project or upcoming workshops, contact Diana Di Leonardo at ddileonardo@thewaterinstitute.org.