New York Coastline

[Cause/Effects of Erosion]

• Shoreline erosion is a natural process that occurs on lakes, streams, rivers and along the coast. It is gradual, sometimes rapid, removal of sediments from the shoreline.

• The shoreline is a valuable and important area. It provides a rich, active habitat for fish and wildlife, and cleans stormwater runoff before it enters the water. The shoreline provides structural integrity to the water's edge, protecting it from erosion. The shoreline also gives us a relaxing place to fish, boat and contemplate nature.

[Coastal erosion severity]

• This problem is severe due to normal winds, waves, storms (hurricanes especially), and even by everyday human interaction like boating, cargo ships, walking and buildings.

• Approximately 47% of New York’s shoreline is eroding.

• Approximately 1/2’ of land is being lost per year due to eroding.

• Because of eroding, this slowly deteriorates roads, walkways, lawns, beaches, and even building that have been built near the shoreline. Retention walls have been built to reduce the likelyhood of erosion, but even over time, those have washed away too.

[Stabilization Methods]

Lake Ontario

• Re-Vegetation

Involves re-planting native vegetation that will stabilize the shoreline by using its deep roots to bind the earth tightly Cost: Low

• Live Staking

Take cuttings of woody plants that are alive like willow dogwood and drive them into the dirt and they will sprout roots and grow Cost: Low

• Contour Wattling (Live Fascines)

Lay live bundles of stems and branches in trenches on the shoreline, and cover them with soil. They will sprout roots and grow.

Cost: Low

Niagra Falls

• Vegetated Rip-Rap (Joint-Planting System)

A layer of stones is laid along a slope face or bank and prevents erosion caused by wave action while the roots of the plants bind the earth below

cost: moderate-high

• Vegetated Gabion Mattress

A vegetated gabion mattress is an elongated, mattress shaped cage filled with rocks and branches or cuttings

cost: extremely high

Lake Erie

Atlantic Ocean

[Negative Impacts]

• Reduced or degraded habitat

• Impaired movement of organisms

• Altered physical structure of the water's edge

• Increased infestation of invasive plants

• Local changes in water quality

• Increased erosion

[Laws/Solutions]

• Coastal Erosion Hazard Area (CEHA)

• United States Army Corps of Engineers (US ACE) Civil Works Program

• promoting and preserving the natural protective features

• restricting or prohibiting activities or development

• ensuring new construction or structures are a safe distance

• regulating the placement and construction of coastal erosion protection structures

• restricting development involving public investment

• requiring publicly financed coastal erosion protection structures

• encouraging administration of coastal erosion management programs

[Work Cited]

Anders, Fred. “State of the Beach/State Reports/NY/Beach Erosion.” Beachapedia.org. Beachapedia.org, 2015. Web. 04 Oct. 2015

“Shoreline Stabilization Techniques.” dec.ny.gov. dec.ny.gov, 2015. Web. 04 Oct. 2015

http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/67096.html

New York Coastline

Emily Rattanavong, Kristine Thavonesiri, Pat Gendron, Abe Nakhleh