How can coastal erosion be managed or avoided?
Wisdom is growing about how to best enjoy coastal living without damaging fragile ecosystems. The processes of erosion and deposition are beginning be be viewed as part of the natural dynamics of shorelines, rather than as problems that can be “engineered” away. Damage to property and habitat can often be avoided by learning what types of processes to expect in a particular shoreline, and using natural techniques to increase its ability to withstand disturbances. Options to decrease shoreline erosion include the following: • Community planning can prevent risk of erosion damage in the first place, for example by requiring developments to be set back from the shoreline a minimum distance. • Natural landscaping techniques, such as reducing water use, managing drainage, replacing drift logs and planting native vegetation along shorelines can help to prevent erosion. (See the shoreline development techniques section.) • Paving on the top of slopes and bluffs can be reduced or limited, to p
