Shoreline Management

If you’ve chosen to invest in your dream of a waterfront residence, you probably want to protect every inch of that precious shoreline. The good news is that Maryland agrees with you, and has spent considerable time documenting the most effective shoreline preservation technologies. And, to use a cliché, sometimes “less is more”.

  • Factors Affecting Shoreline Erosion
  • Soft, Hybrid, and Hardened Techniques

The Problem

Shoreline erosion is one of the most significant problems facing Maryland’s diverse coastal environment, according to the State’s Shoreline Erosion Task Force in its year 2000 report. Approximately 31 percent of Maryland’s 4,360 mile coastline, which encompasses the Chesapeake Bay, the Coastal Bays, and the Atlantic coast, is currently experiencing some degree of erosion.

While the range and magnitude of erosion varies both within and among the State’s physiographic regions, the problem affects all 16 coastal counties along the Chesapeake Bay and the Coastal Bays watersheds. Consequently, shore erosion poses a significant threat to property owners, the public, and the natural resources, both terrestrial and aquatic, of our State’s coastal zone. For example:

  • Maryland loses approximately 260 acres of tidal shoreline to erosion each year, resulting in a loss of public and private property, historic and cultural sites, recreational beaches, productive farmland, and forested areas.
  • Each year erosion carries approximately 5.7 million pounds of nitrogen and 4.2 million pounds of phosphorus into the Chesapeake Bay, significantly degrading water quality and wildlife habitat.
  • Each year erosion contributes approximately 11 million cubic yards of sediment into the Chesapeake Bay, intensifying the need for navigational dredging and diminishing water quality due to increased turbidity.
  • Accelerating rates of sea level rise combined with increased development along Maryland’s coastline tend to prolong and exacerbate shore erosion problems.

Three Alternatives

The Department of Natural Resources classifies shoreline erosion prevention techniques as structural erosion control, such as stone revetments or bulkheads; non-structural erosion control, also known as living shorelines, and a hybrid of the two. The least invasive method of erosion control is advocated by the state.

Structural armoring may be the only solution along very exposed, high-energy shorelines or along heavy boat traffic areas. However, many shorelines along the Bay’s tributaries and protected coves can benefit from an alternative, non-structural technique known as a living shoreline. This approach incorporates marsh vegetation into the project to enhance the habitat of the area. It can also reduce the loss of valuable waterfront land, protect your property, and decrease the amount of sediment entering the Bay’s waters. In many cases the vegetated marsh fringe serves as a buffer that filters runoff and pollution. By trapping this sediment, the beach may even grow wider. This approach is typically accomplished by a combination of stone (in the form of groins, sills and revetment) along with marsh plantings.

By choosing a living shoreline approach, you could be eligible for state loans and grants. For more information on Living Shorelines, visit www.dnr.state.md.us.

The following posters prepared by the state include the same three photographs of mitigation options, but they also contain county-specific metrics of shoreline erosion.

Information presented in this article is believed to be accurate. However, legislation and enforcement are subject to change and interpretation. It is recommended that you contact your local government land use department in order to discern how regulations are enforced in your area. This information is presented without warranty.

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