dune and coastal bank restoration: using soft engineering ... · santander, spain. spanish state...

Dune and Coastal BankRestoration: using softengineering techniquesMICKEY MARCUS

NEW ENGLAND ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.mmarcus@neeinc.com

Bank restoration along tidalRiver.

Plants grown in nursery in coir mat

After one year, plants established, Starting to gain land.

Established coastal bank

Bank protection using coir fascinesalso known as “biologs”

Coir covered with “sacrificial sand”and planted with beach grass

Becoming established

After the first year

Native plants areBecoming established

Coastal bank 1m erosion/yearLittle Compton, RI

Coir logs on slope

Installed withEarth anchors

Planted with native plants

Beach Grass in BioLog

After planting

Sprigs Installed

Conditions after 10 years

Bank has naturalized

Mediterranean Coast near Valencia, Spain1994

Dune Restoration

Dune restoration completed

Secondary dunes

Restoration of coastal dunes and salt ponds in progress (2005)

Dune Restoration, Bay of Biscay 2007

Coastal dune/salt pond restoration. Santander, Spain

Spanish State Nursery for coastal plants

Opportunities in United States

Unconsolidated sand on 30m highcoastal bank

Existing site conditions (Plymouth)

Install baffle system, plant,then hydro-seed slope

Establishment period.

Use flexible mesh biodegradablefabric to capture sand and to protectestablishing vegetation

After one year of growth

One year after establishment

After two years

Completed slope after two years

Completed project (lower vegetatedsection of dune)

Rock Toe of slope, covered with sand

Creating wooden staging to prevent slope erosion during planting

Installation of baffles & dune plants

Hydro-seed slope with native seed mix

Completed:June, 2008

Site after one year(August, 2009)

Comments/Questions?

Mickey Marcusmmarcus@neeinc.com

www.neeinc.com