Summary
New England conditions create special challenges for coastal property owners in the Cape Cod and islands region, with shorelines threatened by erosion, flooding, varying tidal ranges, winter ice, sea level rise, and storms. In Orleans, Massachusetts, one property owner asked a local ecologist to design a living shoreline sturdy enough to protect a steep bank and sand-cobble beach from these threats. A sturdier living shoreline was built with the aid of rigorous site analysis, an ecologist-engineer design team, winter-storm-resistant design, and effective communication with the regulatory board. As a result of this project, the property owner was able to slow the erosion of a 30-foot bank, protect property and coastal structures, and preserve the seasonally sandy beach.

- Seth Wilkinson, President and Restoration Ecologist, Wilkinson Ecological Design
Lessons Learned
- For best results, use an ecologist-engineer team. Ecologists should work with an engineering firm to develop a survey and site plan and collaborate on design details and the review process. The collaboration benefits projects confronting extreme New England conditions such as large tidal ranges, winter ice, fierce nor’easters, and wakes from seasonal boating, which all contribute to erosion.
- Start with a rigorous site analysis. The analysis should include assessing physical forces, slope, water levels, wave heights, and other site characteristics.
- Seek out anecdotes to augment scientific information and data. Don’t just rely on historical storm elevations and “one percent” storm elevation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. People who have watched the local shoreline for years or decades know its condition and challenges in a way that must be captured.
- Figure in higher Mean High Water and an increased tidal range. Accounting for these elements can increase the project’s design life—particularly when working with salt marsh.
- Before starting the permitting process, assess the regulatory board's knowledge of living shorelines. Some boards have no experience in this area. Educate them on living shoreline benefits, success stories, techniques, and materials. Board members often show special interest in the wildlife habitat benefits—communicate those benefits, too.