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Findings
NATURAL SYSTEM:
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HUMAN SYSTEM:
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MANAGING YOUR SHORELINE:

Living shorelines provide numerous ecological and societal benefits compared to armoring.
Click on the image (left) to compare.
Learn more about Living Shoreline Laws and Policies from Delaware to Florida
SHORESCAPE FUTURES:
Forward-thinking shoreline management decisions could result in the vast majority of Virginia tidal shorelines either remaining natural or having a living shoreline implemented. Click on the maps to enlarge.
- Virginia has about 8,562 miles of tidal shoreline of which 70% are associated with tidal marshes.
- About 12% (1,053 miles) of Virginia’s tidal shorelines are currently defended with traditional armoring.
- About 78% of Virginia shorelines are suitable for a living shoreline (6,623 miles)
*See Map Notes below
- Over 6,500 miles (10,000 km) of tidal shoreline in Virginia have opportunities to restore and enhance shoreline marshes.
- Of that, over 1,400 miles (2,300 km) are opportunities to create new shoreline marsh.
Notes: This map presents both currently defended and undefended shorelines that are suitable for a living shoreline (planted marsh with or without a sill structure depending on wave energy conditions).
Graphics Credit: Kelsey Broich, Network for Engineering with Nature, UGA (2021)
Maps Source: VIMS-CCRM Shoreline Management Model v 5.1
Map Notes: Areas of special considerations may require specific designs to accommodate site characteristics such as nearby seagrass beds that narrow channels. King William County, and King and Queen County are not included (data pending). Seaside tidal marsh complexes in Northumberland County were not considered in this analysis (1,467 mi of shoreline).