Measures being implemented to address erosion at No. 61 Village Beach Access

Reports have appeared in the media regarding the condition of sea defence structures that exist between Numbers 59 and 61 villages on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice, and the Public Works Ministry has related that measures are being put in place to address the situation.
It has been reported that a section of the rock armour revetment at the No. 61 Village beach access ramp has been partially breached due to shoreline erosion, and an imminent threat of flooding has been created for adjacent lands. However, it must be clarified that this area had never been protected by a rock revetment, as was reported in recent media articles. The affected area is an unprotected sand ramp which has been so retained that it might be utilised as a vehicular access ramp to the No.63 Beach.
The recent media reports, and comments from a known community representative, which purport that there was a failure of a recently constructed sea defence structure, are therefore misleading.
In a release to the press, the ministry stated that the erosion of the beach access ramp was primarily due to progressive erosion during high tides. An adjacent 30-metre section of shoreline, where temporary flood protection works were executed, was also eroded due to displacement of the boulders by wave action.
The permanent rock revetment structure which was constructed between Numbers 59 and 61 villages was assessed to be stable, and continues to function as an adequate flood barrier.

“Recently-executed flood protection measures, historically a natural, stable, flood-protection system comprising elevated sand banks and light nearshore vegetation, has provided adequate flood protection along the section of the Corentyne shoreline between Numbers 50 and 63 Villages. These conditions allowed the area to be used as a recreational beach, and minimised the need for the construction of hard flood defences,” the release added.
In 2020, a pattern of progressive erosion of the foreshore was observed, which created the potential for complete loss of the natural sand ridge along the #59-63 shoreline. To prevent a breach of the sand bank and underlying clay embankment, the Ministry of Public Works – Sea and River Defence Department – initiated the first phase of rock armour revetment construction along a critical section of shoreline between Numbers 59 and 61 villages.
A total of 1000 metres of revetment structure was constructed under two contracts, totalling G$439,922,500. This structure remains functional and climate-resilient.
The eastern section of the works transitioned into the sand ramp beach access at the No.61 Village location, and a temporary rock armour slope covering a 30m section of shoreline was also constructed adjacent to the beach access ramp.

Future Programmed Measures
The Sea and River Defence Department will undertake interim reinstatement and erosion protection works at the beach access with a climate resilient design in the immediate future.
Additionally, a programme of interventions has been developed for the phased execution of permanent flood protection works which will extend the rock armour revetment to adjacent sections of foreshore currently impacted by erosion. To ensure that the recreational use of the beach is preserved, a groyne field will be constructed to aid in sediment retention. These works will be initiated following the appropriation of the requisite funding in the 2024 Budget.
In the short term (2024–2027), a holistic sustainable flood protection scheme will be developed for No.63 Beach, which will provide climate-resilient sea defences, thereby reducing flood risk.
These works were executed by the Ministry of Public Works’ Sea and River Defence Department as the first phase (1000 metres) of climate-resilient sea defence works along the No.63 Beach shoreline.