‘Living shoreline’ helps nature stand against the storm in the Chesapeake Bay

A $9 million restoration project to construct 20,950 feet of living shoreline protects marshes at Fog Point, a coastal section of Maryland’s Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is constructing a 20,950-foot living shoreline to protect marshes at Fog Point, a coastal section of Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay. More than 20,000 feet of protective sand and rock structures will be installed, stabilizing a highly vulnerable shoreline. In addition to reducing erosion, this project allows the coast to heal itself.

As featured in this video, nearly 9,000 feet of the shoreline will be protected by rock, with structures typically 250 feet long and enough sand added to connect the offshore breakwaters to the island itself. More than 1,000 acres of interior tidal high marsh, sheltered water, submerged aquatic vegetation and clam beds will be protected against the effects of future storms. This living shoreline enhances the natural defenses of saltwater habitats important to the island's soft crab fishery, a natural resource local Smith Island residents depend on for their livelihoods. Project completion is expected next fall.

Hurricane Sandy Recovery website

Photo gallery:Flickr website
 

Video: YouTube website