The American Fisheries Society (AFS) Bioengineering Section (BES) is currently writing a position paper relating to appropriate geomorphic-based design responses to natural disasters, when dealing with rivers.  The recent hurricane in the northeast and significant flooding throughout the nation have highlighted the severity of this issue.  Engineering and scientific advancements in the field of river restoration are often set aside when communities and states need to respond quickly to safety and infrastructure issues immediately following a natural disaster.  Enhancement made through decades of carefully planned river management can easily be bulldozed away within days after a natural disaster, with little consideration given to environmental regulations.  While swift responses are critical following a natural disaster, this session will focus on many of the lessons learned and precautions that could be taken to ensure that more appropriate geomorphic-based design responses are implemented following a natural disaster.