NOAA Guidance for Considering the Use of Living Shorelines

NOAA has released a Guidance for Considering the Use of Living Shorelines, which outlines how the agency promotes living shorelines as a shoreline stabilization technique.

Living shoreline is a broad term that encompasses a range of shoreline stabilization techniques. While methods may vary, a living shoreline generally incorporates vegetation or other living, natural “soft” elements.

These can be used alone or in combination with “harder” shoreline structures, like oyster reefs or rocks, for added stability. Living shorelines reduce erosion while providing habitat value and enhancing coastal resilience. 

Living shorelines are an alternative to traditional shoreline stabilization techniques, like seawalls and bulkheads. These techniques create a barrier between land and water and can actually increase erosion.


Along sheltered coasts, living shorelines can preserve and improve habitats and the benefits they provide.

For more living shorelines information, consult the Guidance:

http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/pdf/noaa_guidance_for_considering_the_use_of_living_shorelines_2015.pdf