The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program and the nonprofit Wetlands Watch have launched a valuable new resource, Designing Living Shorelines for Sea Level Rise in Virginia. The comprehensive guide, which compiles adaptive strategies and case studies, is tailored for shoreline professionals seeking sustainable solutions to address rising sea levels and coastal hazards such as flooding and saltwater intrusion.
In addition to providing National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration funds for this project, the Virginia CZM Program facilitated input from partners and stakeholders to develop the guide, including the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia’s shoreline permitting body. Virginia requires that property owners implement living shorelines as the default erosion control strategy. Programs including cost-sharing, grants, low-interest loans, and tax incentives are available from nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
Virginia predicts that without intervention, sea-level rise will result in significant loss of tidal wetlands in Virginia. Living shorelines create new wetlands or enhance existing ones along a shoreline and can offset Virginia’s predicted wetlands losses. The guide presents best practices for shoreline professionals to design living shorelines that will help protect tidal wetlands and shoreline property.
For more information, contact Will Isenberg of Virginia DEQ.
