Trista Talton, Coastal Review OnlineWILMINGTON – This could be the dawn of a new era for more natural ways to control erosion called living shorelines.
The Army Corps of Engineers has released for public review its list of nationwide permits, including a proposed permit that specifically addresses living shorelines.
Nationwide Permit B is the Corps' first living shorelines permit. Living shoreline projects are built using various structural and organic materials, such a plants, submerged aquatic vegetation, oyster shells and stone.
For years, permitting guidelines for living shorelines were folded into rules governing shoreline stabilization methods under Permit 13.
The Corps issues nationwide permits for a whole host of activities covered by the federal Clean Water and Rivers and Harbors acts. The review of applications for such permits is streamlined because the activities will have minimal effects on the environment.
The new living shoreline permit has been a long time coming, proponents say, as research has mounted in support of the practical and environmental benefits of this shoreline erosion control technique.
Permit B further legitimizes living shorelines, raising awareness of this shore stabilization alternative at the federal level.
More importantly, proponents say, the new permit will help speed up the permitting process for living shorelines and should more evenly balance agency review times for living shorelines and hardened erosion control structures, such as bulkheads.
The Corps cannot mandate one specific approach to shoreline stabilization, but the agency does acknowledge the benefits of living shorelines.
Read the rest of this story in Coastal Review Online here.
How to Comment
There are several ways to submit comments on the Army Corps of Engineers' proposed nationwide permits, identified by docket number COE– 2015–0017 and/or RIN 0710–AA73.
Online: Go here and hit the "Comment Now" button.
Email: NWP2017@usace.army.mil. Include the docket number, COE–2015– 0017, in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW–CO–R, 441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20314–1000.
The deadline for comments is Aug. 1.
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