Encouraging Living Shorelines

Article written by Dessa Clock

Waterfront property owners worry about protecting their property from erosion, especially those whose properties experience detrimental wave action from boats and storms. For some, seawalls and bulkheads are the first methods that come to mind for controlling erosion. However, there are more natural, cost-effective, aesthetic, and long-term solutions to achieving shoreline stabilization called living shorelines. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines living shorelines as "a management practice that provides erosion control benefits; protects, restores, or enhances natural shoreline habitat; and maintains ecological processes through the strategic placement of plants, stone, sand fill, and other structural organic materials (e.g. - biologs, oyster reefs, etc.)."

In some instances, traditional shoreline hardening methods like bulkheads and seawalls may have the opposite result and increase erosion instead. Wave energy reflects off the vertical face of the seawall, causing erosion at the toe of the wall. This can result in a loss of habitat and biodiversity. As waves scour mud in front of the bulkhead, shallow water habitat for submerged aquatic vegetation, emergent vegetation, and benthic species can be lost. Seawalls are also very costly to construct and maintain, requiring repairs and replacements.

Living shorelines mimic natural shorelines to allow for natural processes, such as sediment transport, to occur. This can provide more habitat for vegetation, birds, fish, and shellfish while also enhancing waterfront views and recreational opportunities. They are also more resilient to changes in sea level, absorb wave energy and storm surge, and tend to become more stable over time. Additionally, the initial installation and maintenance of living shorelines is more cost-effective than traditional hardening options.

Living Shorelines - NOAA Habitat Blueprint

EPC’s Basis of Review encourages property owners to plant native vegetation or use other environmentally beneficial methods to prevent shoreline erosion. Options to regrade and replant eroding shorelines have been included in our rule. However, prior to these rule revisions, there was no clear permitting avenue for shoreline stabilization methods that included elements that help break waves and ensure planting success, such as breakwaters and soil confinement technology.

With feedback from stakeholders and recommendations from staff, the Commission recognized the importance of living shorelines and the need to address unintentional gaps in our rule. As a result, the Basis of Review and fee schedule rules were revised to provide permitting options for the use of alternative methods of shoreline stabilization. The rule now outlines conditions for native shoreline planting, and native shorelines with minimum shoreline hardening, with a 50% reduction in application fees. It is hoped that this monetary incentive will encourage property owners and contractors to consider living shorelines over more hardened forms of shoreline stabilization.