Living Shoreline Assistance Program deals w/ coastal erosion

I'm your huckleberry

The Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) has launched an initiative to help coastal property owners combat shoreline erosion in our region.

The Basics: The Living Shoreline Assistance Program introduces nature-based approaches to shoreline protection. Unlike traditional hardened structures, living shorelines utilize native plants and oyster shells to stabilize coastlines while creating functional ecosystems. Hybrid approaches incorporate non-living materials such as rock or artificial oyster reefs when site conditions require additional reinforcement.

Why this matters: These solutions provide multiple benefits beyond erosion control, including habitat creation, water quality improvement, and enhanced storm resilience. Research indicates these approaches are more environmentally sustainable and often more cost-effective over time.

Facts: Data from the PPBEP reveals concerning statistics about our local coastlines. Approximately 55% of Pensacola Bay and 27% of Perdido Bay shorelines have already been hardened with artificial structures. This significant alteration affects both ecological function and the natural character of our coastal environments.

Program Benefits and Implementation

The PPBEP initiative offers comprehensive support through:

Technical resources and professional design consultation
Assistance navigating regulatory permits
Financial support to reduce implementation costs

The program will be implemented in two strategic phases:

Phase 1: Perdido Bay Watershed (January 1 – December 31, 2025)
Phase 2: Pensacola Bay Watershed (August 1, 2025 – December 31, 2026)

Engagement Opportunities

Property owners, neighborhood associations, and community organizations can participate in upcoming informational sessions:

In-Person Open Houses:

March 27, 2025 (2 p.m. – 8 p.m.): Graham Creek Nature Preserve, Foley, Ala.
May 1, 2025 (2 p.m. – 8 p.m.): Perdido Key Community Center

Virtual Option:

April 4, 2025 (5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.): Online webinar (registration required)

Bottomline

The Living Shoreline Assistance Program represents an opportunity for coastal property owners to implement sustainable erosion control solutions. By balancing environmental preservation with property protection, this initiative addresses immediate concerns while contributing to the long-term health of our regional watersheds.

Interested parties are encouraged to review eligibility requirements and application procedures at ppbep.org/livingshorelines. The program is funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Your comments are welcomed, but there are some rules to follow:

(1) Be Nice. No comments that slander another, no racism, no sexism, no personal attacks.

(2) No Harrassing Comments.

(3) No Libel. That’s saying something is not true about someone. Don’t do it.

(4) Keep it clean. Nothing vulgar, obscene, or sexually related. No profanity or obvious substitutions.

(5) I reserve the right to remove any comments that violate our rules or are inappropriate. I am not responsible for what is posted. Comments may not appear right away until they are approved by a moderator.

(6) Limit your comments to the subject in this story only, and limit comments to 1,500 characters or less. Do not post copyrighted material. Comments will not be added to stories that are over five days old.

(7) No posts may advertise a commercial business, political candidate, or political group. Links in a comment aren’t allowed.

8) Commenting too many times may result in your comments not being allowed. Readers will begin to ignore your views.

9) Email me if you believe a comment violates any of these rules, and it will be deleted.

New Living Shoreline Assistance Program deals with coastal erosion

Program Benefits and Implementation

Engagement Opportunities

Bottomline

Rules for Comments

Archives

Walker Holmes Books

Inweekly Newsletter

Links