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Resiliency project keeps Assateague's shoreline protected
By KristinJuly 16, 20182 min read
These natural headlands were constructed along the shore to provide resiliency and protect the coastline from erosion.
"Resiliency" is the big word of the project, said Roman Jesien of Maryland Coastal Bays, and the results of the project are long-term.
"The thinking here is, this will be as permanent as we can have a shoreline," Jesien said. "If you see the size of the rocks here, when the sea level rises, these rocks will be able to withstand that."
The long-term result of the resiliency project is a living shoreline, a stabilized coastal edge that grows with time and uses natural materials that provide wildlife habitat, rather than unnatural infrastructure like seawalls that hinder the development of plants and the habitats of animals.
"The way that we do a living shoreline is, we set these vegetative breakwaters offshore and those dissipate wave energy and they create these really, really nice aquatic lagoons, aquatic habitats basically," said Underwood & Associates Project Manager Chris Becraft.
Working on a final phase of the project, planting vegetation along the headlands.
While the shoreline is benefiting from the project in terms of resiliency, Assateague's aquatic ecosystem benefits as well. The lagoons make the perfect shallow water habitats for fish and horseshoe crabs, Becraft said, while aquatic grasses will be able to thrive underwater and turtles can nest on the white sands of the headlands.
Even humans benefit from the resiliency project (although everyone benefits when natural ecosystems and their wildlife thrive!). The resiliency additionally applies to state park's boat ramps, fishing piers and other public facilities, and protects them from rising tides and major storm events as well.
With the project now complete, this part of Assateague's shoreline will be able to weather almost any storm that comes its way, and critters and beach-goers alike will be able to enjoy it for many years to come. About Kristin
Kristin is a writer and photographer in Ocean City, Maryland, and is the content manager for OceanCity.com and other State Ventures, LLC sites. She loves getting reader-submitted stories and photos, so send her an email anytime. She also works part-time at the Art League of Ocean City and the Ocean City Film Festival and lives just off the peninsula with her dog and fiancé. Her photos can be found on Instagram @oc_kristin.
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