Restoration > Living Shorelines  
 


EC has been prescribing Living Shorelines to control shoreline erosion since the early 1970's. A low, gently sloping marsh is created to absorb the impact of waves to protect the upland while providing many other benefits to the Bay.

Since 1972 Environmental Concern has restored and protected over 35 miles of shoreline and has recently completed the restoration of over 5,000 lin. ft. of fragile shoreline at a high energy site on the Sassafras River and 2,550 lin. ft of shoreline on Tilghman Island.

Benefits of a Living Shoreline

Building a Saltmarsh

Caring for Your Marsh

Living Shorelines Brochure (Adobe PDF)

 

Living Shorelines Slideshow

Projects in progress

shoreline erosion
 
   
 

 

Shoreline Protection Methods Compared

 
Marsh Creation with Sill
Groin with Sand & Marsh

Coir Biolog with Sand & Marsh
Stone Revetment
Bulkhead
Do Nothing
Reduce Erosion
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
no

Provide Habitat

yes
yes
yes
minor
no
no
Uptake Nutrients
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
Filter Sediments
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
Improve Water Access
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
Dissipate Waves
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
Impact to Receiving Waters
Positive (improves water quality - reduces nutrients and sediment loading)
Positive
(limited protection for marsh)
Short Term
none
Negative
(may cause near-shore erosion of bottom)
continued pollutant loading and loss of upland