Overview

The Living Shorelines Action Team (Living Shorelines Steering Committee) is facilitated by both APNEP and the N.C. Coastal Federation.  This action team consists of scientists, federal and state agency personnel, and NGOs working together to coordinate education, implementation, research, and monitoring of living shorelines in North Carolina.  The Living Shoreline Working Strategy provides guidance to the Action Team.

Members participating with this team will pursue actions aligned with N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Coastal Habitat Protection Plan, N.C. Division of Coastal Management’s Living Shoreline Strategies, and the N.C. Coastal Federation’s Goals.

APNEP’s living shoreline Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP) actions are as follows:

  • B3.1: Assist local governments in the development of incentives for protecting natural shorelines. Incentives and techniques will be developed and promoted that encourage the protection of natural shorelines as an alternative to hardened structures such as bulkheads and sea walls.
    • Outputs: Incentives for protecting natural shorelines
    • Results: Improved water quality and ecological integrity while reducing shoreline erosion.
  • B3.2: Develop and distribute educational materials encouraging landowners to protect natural shorelines.  APNEP will work with its partners to continue to develop materials will describe how living shorelines are a viable alternative to hardened structures and explain the benefits natural shorelines provide.
    • Outputs: Educational materials
    • Results: Improved water quality and ecological integrity while reducing shoreline erosion.
  • C1.3: Facilitate the restoration of riparian and estuarine shorelines.Impacted shorelines will be replanted with native vegetation. Where feasible, bulkheads, and riprap structures will be replaced with living shorelines or structures that control erosion with the least impact to natural shoreline function.
    • Outputs: Voluntary shoreline restoration projects to support natural shoreline ecosystem functions
    • Results: Improved water quality and ecological integrity
  • C2.2: Facilitate the development of incentives to replace hardened estuarine shorelines with living shorelines. Regulatory and financial incentives will make it easier to construct living shorelines and help motivate landowners to restore shoreline property. Technical assistance can demonstrate that living shorelines are a viable option for shoreline stabilization.
    • Outputs: Incentives for removing hardened estuarine shorelines
    • Results: Improved water quality and ecological integrity

APNEP staff support: 

 

View all Living Shorelines Action Team Meetings Materials

Living Shorelines Resources:

Living Protections Blog Series:

Team Members