Understanding Living Shorelines: Their Use, Benefits, Design Principles, Costs, and Barriers and Solutions to Successful Implementation

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Understanding Living Shorelines: Their use, benefits, design principles, costs, and barriers and solutions to successful implementation

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk, VA [email protected]

Definition

Living Shoreline Treatments address erosion in lower energy situations by providing long-term protection, restoration or enhancement of vegetated shoreline habitats through strategic placement of plants, stone, sand fill and other structural or organic materials. Living Shoreline Treatments do not include structures that sever the natural processes & connections between uplands and aquatic areas. http://ccrm.vims.edu/livingshorelines/index.html

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Why Living Shorelines?

In Virginia, the use of native riparian and wetland vegetation to stabilize eroding shorelines has been advocated for decades. However, these practices seemed to fall out of favor with hardened shoreline protection (bulkheads, seawalls, and stone revetments) resulting in the majority of permitted projects – even along low energy shorelines.

Loss of wetlands from shoreline hardening led to a re-examination of permitting and mitigation practices and the resurgence of “living shorelines” for shoreline protection and the preservation of ecosystem services. Circa 1992…

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

Benefits of Living Shorelines

Flood and Erosion Protection - Tidal wetlands reduce the rate of surface water flow and temporarily store flood waters like a sponge. Wetlands receive stormwater runoff and release it gradually. They change sharp runoff peaks and discharge water flows over longer periods of time thus reduce the danger of flooding and also recharging groundwater supplies.

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

Benefits of Living Shorelines

Water Quality - Just like nature's kidneys, tidal wetlands filter and trap sediments and pollutants, increase dissolved oxygen levels and reduce nutrient levels. As water flow is slowed over the marsh, sediments and chemicals drop out of the water column, high rates of productivity lead to high rates of mineral uptake, and decomposition processes take place in wetland sediments.

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

Benefits of Living Shorelines

Shoreline Erosion Control - The dense stems, roots and rhizomes of tidal wetland plants buffer the adjacent shoreline by reducing wave energy and reducing current velocity thereby trapping sediments.

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

Benefits of Living Shorelines

Aquatic Productivity - A complex food web is supported through the transformation of inorganic nutrients into organic matter that is useful to aquatic animals. Decaying plant matter (detritus) is colonized by microorganisms which are then consumed by larger aquatic animals such as marsh periwinkles. The wetlands ecosystem is the source of food for a variety of fish, shellfish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals.

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

Benefits of Living Shorelines

Fish and Wildlife Habitat - Wetlands provide habitat for resident and migratory species of fish, invertebrates, reptiles, birds and mammals. Wetland habitats are important for a high percentage of endangered and threatened species. Roughly two-thirds of our commercially valuable fish and shellfish use tidal wetlands as spawning or nursery areas.

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

Benefits of Living Shorelines

Aesthetics - People enjoy wetlands for their beauty, ecological diversity, and solitude. Wetlands are a vast treasure of information about our cultural heritage since many Native American villages were based in these locations. Wetlands are beautiful locations for fishing, hunting, painting, photography, bird watching, hiking canoeing, crabbing and wildlife study.

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

Source: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Inc.

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Types of Projects

Non-structural Option: Non-structural design options are most suitable in very low energy settings with minor erosion, minor wave action and good growing conditions. Target areas include the upper reaches of tidal creeks, tidal coves, and other areas protected from excessive wind and wave action.

•Vegetation Management – replacing lawn with riparian buffer plantings •Enhancing Wetland Plantings •Installation of Biodegradable Fiber

(coir) Logs (breakwater or toe protection) •Bank Grading

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

Types of Projects

Hybrid Options: Hybrid living shoreline options include structures that are necessary to support vegetation growth or to create wide stable beaches. These methods are used where non-structural methods would not provide enough protection. The structure's size depends on how wide the vegetation or beach buffer can be. •Marsh toe revetments •Marsh sill and plantings •Offshore breakwaters •Oyster reefs

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

MHW

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

circa 1992

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Design Criteria

Source: “Shoreline Erosion Control The Natural Approach” (Maryland DNR)

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Design Criteria

Other Factors to Consider:

•Shoreline Orientation: Hurricane and Nor’easter direction •Boat Wake Erosion: •Shore Morphology: cove, headland, etc. •Offshore Depth: shallow waters can attenuate waves… •Nearshore SAV: wave attenuation •Tide Range: affects heights and footprints of sills or breakwaters •Design Wave: frequency and size of wave impinging upon the shore

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

How to Choose Which Method is Appropriate?

#1 Nothing Beats Experience! (Calling all PWSs!) ...... #2 Decision Trees

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk How Are They Working? Birdsong Wetlands

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk How Are They Working? Colley Bay

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk How Are They Working? Haven Creek

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk How Are They Working? Hermitage Foundation

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk How Are They Working Holly & Columbus

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk How Are They Working? 46th Street Terminus

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Barrier: Fear of the Unknown:

• What does it Look Like?

• How Long Will It Last?

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Solution:

Build Demonstration Projects on Public And Private Property

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Solution: Build Demonstration Projects

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Solution: 1997

Point Out The Longevity Of Public Projects 2008

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Barrier: Lack of a VA Living Shoreline Requirement: (State Preference Only)

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Solution: Fairfax leads the way in VA

“Living Shorelines”: Among all the options, applicants must consider a design that maintains or creates a living shoreline, as an approach for shoreline stabilization, and demonstrate to the Board why a living shoreline approach would not achieve your goals. Properly sited and designed living shorelines will be preferentially permitted over hardened shoreline approaches.

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Barrier: Local Wetlands Board Level of Comfort in Approving LS Projects

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Solution: Follow up Presentations to WBs Showing Successes

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Barrier: Living Shoreline Projects Are Uncommon

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Solution: Engage NGOs, Universities, and Citizens to Build LS Projects In All Communities

Lafayette Wetlands Partnership

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Barrier: Few Experienced Project Designers

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

Solution: Train NGOs & College Students

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Barrier: Relatively Few Experienced Contractors

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Solution: Spend Time in the Field to Assist Contractors and Troubleshoot

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Barrier: Living Shorelines are Unpopular:

Who’s Going to Pay Me to Do What I Don’t Want to Do?

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Solution: Investigate TMDL and FEMA CRS Credits or Other Creative Incentives for Landowners

General Permit – Not Yet Completed in VA

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Barrier: Living Shorelines, And In Particular Vegetative Wetlands, Are Not Perceived Like Other Types of Landscapes Worthy of Enhancement and Beautification

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Solution: Citizen Education

Native Plants for Wetland Restoration and Enhancement

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Barrier: Common Sense of Purpose + Better Coordination Within the Regulatory Community

Solution: More Collaboration

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk The Living Shoreline Summit in Virginia in 2006 and the follow-up Mid- Atlantic Living Shoreline Summit in MD in 2013 have provided information and a forum for scientists, living shoreline designers, contractors, regulators, NGOs, and others to share information, discuss emerging technologies and strategies, identify data gaps and needed research, better understand construction processes, identify barriers to implementation, and increase collaboration. Major themes included:

• The need for additional research in social marketing and behavior change

• Understanding the impacts of living shoreline construction on ecosystem services

• The potential overuse of rock sills in hybrid living shoreline projects

• Sustainability of living shorelines with sea level rise

• Streamlining and expediting regulatory approvals for living shorelines.

http://www.estuaries.org/mid-atlantic-livingshorelines-summit-presentations.html

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk Resources VA: http://ccrm.vims.edu/livingshorelines/index.html MD: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/ccs/livingshorelines.asp DE: http://www.delawareestuary.org/pdf/Living%20Shorelines/LivingShorelinesBr ochure_feb2012.pdf NC: http://www.nccoast.org/Content.aspx?key=76664726-1d0d-4f30-a6b0- c2702bf97ee3 NOAA: http://habitat.noaa.gov/restorationtechniques/public/shoreline_tab4.cfm

LinkedIn Group: Living Shoreline Erosion Control Forum: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=4157277&trk=anet_ug_hm

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk

Questions?

[email protected] Kevin Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM Bureau of Environmental Services 508 City Hall Building Norfolk VA 23510 USA

Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM City of Norfolk