Mitigating Shore Erosion Along Sheltered Coasts

Like ocean beaches, sheltered coastal areas experience land loss from erosion and sea level rise. In response, property owners often install hard structures such as bulkheads as a way to prevent further erosion, but these structures cause changes in the coastal environment that alter landscapes, reduce public access and recreational opportunities, diminish natural habitats, and harm species that depend on these habitats for shelter and food. Mitigating Shore Erosion Along Sheltered Coasts recommends coastal planning efforts and permitting policies to encourage landowners to use erosion control alternatives that help retain the natural features of coastal shorelines.Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Understanding Erosion on Sheltered Shores 3 Methods for Addressing Erosion 4 Mitigating Eroding Sheltered Shorelines: A Trade Off in Ecosystem Services 5 The Existing Decision-Making Process for Shoreline Protection on Sheltered Coasts 6 A New Management Approach for Sheltered Shorelines References and Bibliography Appendix A Committee and Staff Biographies Appendix B Acronyms Appendix C Workshop Agenda and Participants List Appendix D Potential Federal Regulatory Requirements Appendix E Glossary