Year: 2019
Project(s):
Relevance
Many shorelines in Cedar Key, Florida, are rapidly eroding and would be suitable for a resilient living shoreline approach, but implementation rates of living shorelines are lower than they could be because of barriers including 1) lack of awareness of the options; 2) difficulty selecting the appropriate shoreline erosion control project design for a specific property and; 3) a complex regulatory environment that makes it difficult to begin the permitting process.
Response
The creation of a local tool to help residents determine if a living shoreline would be suitable for their property and, if so, what type of design they should pursue, what permits would be needed, and how to apply. This Shoreline Management Master Plan (SMMP) will serve as an essential part of the City of Cedar Key's ongoing climate change adaptation planning efforts and will give homeowners the resources they need to implement living shorelines.
Results
The SMMP mapping tool has been viewed 941 times since launch and the project has been presented at 7 different events to at least 235 people. PIs conducted 12 individual shoreline consultations and site visits. The SMMP map is pending incorporation into the City of Cedar Key comprehensive plan. Two living shorelines are in the planning stage as a result of this tool, three other municipalities have reached out for assistance creating a similar tool.
Recap
The shoreline management tool produced by this project assisted local governments in addressing challenges related to shoreline resilience planning and assists local stakeholders in making technical decisions about sustainable and resilient shoreline erosion control. (2019)