The Colley Bay Story: Successful Implementation of a Living Shoreline

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. Image Source: NRCS, 1980 Center for Coastal Resources Management http://ccrm.vims.edu/livingshorelines/ index.html

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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

Benefits of Living Shorelines TMDL Credits Use of Living Shorelines to control erosion and restore wetlands along the shoreline can help a municipality meet federally mandated pollution reduction targets. A 2014 draft report by the Chesapeake Bay Program s Shoreline Management Expert Panel indicates that use of Living Shoreline is one of the most cost effect BMP for reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment from marine waters. Accepted by Urban Stormwater Work Group: April 15, 2014 Approved by Watershed Technical Work Group: February 13, 2015 Approved by Water Quality Goal Implementation Team: July 13, 2015 Chesapeake Stormwater Network http://chesapeakestormwater.net/wp- content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2015/10/shoreline-management- Protocols_Final_Approved_07132015-WQGIT-approved.pdf

Benefits of Living Shorelines

Design Team

Design Considerations Owner Goals Stakeholder Involvement Existing Conditions Substrates Fetch Preservation

Design Considerations Owner Goals

Design Considerations Sea Level Rise Resilience Bulkheads can t move Living Shorelines can Source: NOAA

Design Considerations Stakeholder Involvement The Lafayette Wetlands Partnership ODU Biology Students Larchmont Elementary School Highland Park Civic League Norfolk Wetlands Board Chesapeake Bay Foundation Elizabeth River Project

Existing Conditions Disposal Burden or Recycling Opportunity

Existing Conditions Improvised Treatments

Existing Conditions

Design Considerations Substrates

Design Considerations Shoreline Orientation and Fetch Average vs. Maximum, Erosion Rates

Planning for Living Shorelines VIMS Coastal Management Decision Tools

Design Considerations Preservation

Design Considerations Pre-Design Site Meeting

Design Considerations

Colley Bay - Phase 1

Colley Bay - Phase 2

Design Components Coir Logs

Design Components Marsh-Sill Complex

Design Components Geotextile Filter Cloth

Design Components Riparian Buffer Protection

Design Components Riparian Buffer Enhancement

Design Components Pocket Beaches

Design Components Goose Exclusion

Lessons Learned - Design Consider Design Impacts on Constructability Evaluate for Potential Upland Erosion Areas, i.e. Less is More Except when it Rains Good Goose Fencing Specifications are Important Maintain Strong Working Relationships w/ Project Contractors Utilize Various Tools from the Toolbox, Depending on the Site and Client Public and Private Partnerships can Inform Design

Construction Considerations Accessibility Geotechnical Considerations Planting Season Volunteers Contractor Qualifications

Accessibility How will you build it water based or land based? Where are your access points with relation to your material laydown area? What size equipment will you need for reach and will that equipment fit where you want it to?

Geotechnical Considerations Will the shoreline sink? How will it be stabilized fabric or overload with sand? How will the mudwave be controlled?

Planting Seasons Grasses Shrubs/Trees Contractual considerations

Volunteers

Contractor Qualification Have they built living shorelines before? Do they have a wetland scientist on staff or on their team? Do they clearly understand the goals of the project? Consider qualified bids low bid is not always the best option for living shoreline construction

Lessons Learned: Construction Accessibility Geotechnical considerations Planting seasons Qualifications of contractor Plan for maintenance #1 Lesson Learned: IT WORKS!

Colley Bay Now

Post Construction Considerations -Maintenance Who is responsible? Who monitors the site? Recognize and accept some failures

Post Construction Considerations

Questions? John Parkinson jparkinson@clarknexsen.com Colley Bay Living Shoreline 2014 ACEC Virginia Engineering Excellence Award Winner

References VA: MD: DE: NC: NOAA: http://ccrm.vims.edu/livingshorelines/index.html http://www.dnr.state.md.us/ccs/livingshorelines.asp http://www.delawareestuary.org/pdf/living%20shorelines/livingshorelinesbrochure_feb2012.pdf http://www.nccoast.org/content.aspx?key=76664726-1d0d-4f30-a6b0-c2702bf97ee3 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

Myrtle Park Wetland Restoration