Frequently Asked Questions

What are living shorelines?

Living Shorelines is a catch-all phrase that actually describes a range of nature-based, green infrastructure designs for coastal restoration and erosion control. They typically involve a living design element like marsh plants or oyster reefs and are sometimes paired with wave breaking structures like breakwaters, depending on site conditions.

Do living shorelines hold up as well as bulkheads during storms?

The research comparing living shorelines to bulkheads routinely demonstrates their superior durability during storms. This typically translates to significantly lower property damage and associated maintenance costs.

Do living shorelines protect against erosion as well as bulkheads?

Yes. In fact they do better. Plants slow waves down which allows the settling of sediments and, over time, enhanced accretion (building of elevation from sediments and plant materials). Bulkheads, on the other hand, paradoxically cause more erosion than they prevent. This is because waves reflected from bulkhead walls carry sediment with them. Over time, waves gradually eat away at these sediments which often leads to land slumping behind and upland of the bulkhead wall.

What are the benefits of living shorelines?

In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, living shorelines provide a wealth of natural benefits. Among these benefits are upland nutrient pollution filtration, habitat for numerous fish and wildlife species, enhanced storm surge protection and, as living infrastructure, the ability to adapt to changes in future environmental conditions.

Why get a living shoreline over a bulkhead?

Two reasons. First, Living Shorelines typically perform better and have significantly lower lifetime costs than bulkheads, and provide a wealth of natural benefits that bulkheads do not. Second, continued unnecessary bulkhead use has exacerbated losses to intertidal habitats like mudflats, seagrass beds and wetlands that are critical to a number of recreational and commercial fisheries, and wildlife important for tourism and recreation. Living shorelines can help to offset these losses and preserve critical habitat.

Do living shorelines designs work in every coastal property situation?

No. Living Shorelines designs are appropriate in most cases but certain site features can preclude your property from being a suitable candidate. Features that are not ideal for living shorelines installation can include minimal space between the shoreline and a dwelling, excessive wave exposure or steeply sloping shoreline features. Our team of experts can help to determine if your property is a suitable candidate during our free initial site visit.

Are there ways to add living shorelines elements to an existing bulkhead?

Yes. New methods using essentially large-scale planter boxes and marsh grasses have been developed for sites with minimal wave exposure and may be appropriate at your property, depending on site conditions.

How long does it take to design, permit and install a living shoreline project?

Design and installation can be done within a matter of weeks but permits can take several months. Typically, small-scale (i.e., homeowner) projects can take anywhere from 2-6 months from initial site visit to installation, similar to a properly-permitted bulkhead.

Are permits required? if so, by who?

Yes, permits are required and those necessary depend by state. In Alabama, for example, permits for small-scale (i.e., homeowner) projects are required by US Army Corps of Engineers as well as Alabama Department of Environmental Management and State Lands Division.