West/Rhode Riverkeeper works with a number of private landowners and community groups to build living shorelines. Living shorelines are different from conventional erosion control techniques because they stop erosion while also absorbing nutrients from the water and provide beneficial habitat. Terrapins, shorebirds, Horseshoe crabs and fish frequently forage and nest in living shorelines.
Living shorelines commonly consist of placing minimal stone structures in the water in front of the property and filling the area between the land and stone with coarse sand fill and marsh grasses.
Current Projects:
950 feet long Living Shoreline on Southern Point of YMCA Camp Letts between Sellman and Bear Neck Creek on the Rhode River
(Construction to begin February of 2015)
This project is funded by a grant from The Chesapeake Bay Trust.
Previous Projects:
80 feet long Living Shoreline on Bear Neck Creek, off Germantown Road
(Completed Summer of 2013)
This project was funded by a grant from The Chesapeake Bay Trust and dedicated landowners.
120 feet long Living Shoreline on Bear Neck Creek, off Overhill Road
(Completed Summer of 2014)
This project was funded by a grant from The Chesapeake Bay Trust and dedicated landowners.
450 feet long Living Shoreline on Popham Creek, off Bayfields Road
(Completed Summer of 2014)
This project was funded by a grant from The Chesapeake Bay Trust, an interest free loan from MD DNR and a very dedicated landowner.
Resources:
MD Department of Natural Resources
Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant program
