Linking Evaluation,

Assessment, and Guidance

for Living Shorelines
Designs

Jon K. Miller
Research Assistant Professor
Stevens Institute of Technology

HR Sustainable Shorelines Webinar Series

September 16, 2016

Hudson River Sustainable Shorelines

Project
Engineering Analyses
Literature
Review

Phase 1 Literature Review

What are the options?

Phase 2 Physical Forces Analysis

Where might they work?

Design
Guidance

Physical
Forces
Analysis

Phase 3 Forensic Analyses

How resilient are they?

Phase 4 Monitoring Protocol

How do we assess?

Design Guidelines

Monitoring
Protocol

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Forensic
Analysis

Click to Insert Image

Forensic Analysis
(https://www.hrnerr.org/shorelinesforensicanalysis/)

Forensic Analysis - Objectives

Objective

Characterize the conditions at 6 sites impacted by

Irene/Lee/Sandy to better understand the determinants of
success/failure during extreme weather events

Evidence
Shoreline history (photographs & anecdotal)
Engineering data and drawings
Hindcast storm conditions & physical forces
climatology
Post storm photos and site surveys
WEAKNESS Lack of pre-storm information

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Forensic Analysis - Typical Evidence

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Forensic Analysis - Habirshaw Park

Conclusions

Sill crest height initially

under-designed

Adaptive management used

to correct problem

Maintenance essential to
projects performance

Submergence and mild

slopes have limited storm
damage

Ice and wakes may

dominate design

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Forensic Analysis - Common Findings

Maturity of
Vegetation

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Slope
Compatibilit
y

Forensic Analysis - Common Findings

Debris
Impact

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Leeside
Erosion

Forensic Analysis - Common Findings

Maintenance
Adaptive
Management
Stone Sizing

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Forensic Analysis Final

Recommendations
1.

More research needs to be done on the performance of

various approaches during heavy ice and debris conditions.

2.

More research is needed on plant material selection.

3.

Proper monitoring and maintenance is important to the longterm performance of all projects; however it is critically
important for ecologically enhanced shoreline projects.

4. Temporary stabilization measures should be provided to allow

vegetation to mature.
5. Terracing or other measures should be used to avoid unnatural
slopes.
6. Backside forces should be addressed in design/construction of
coastal structures.

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Monitoring Protocol
(https://www.hrnerr.org/hudson-river-sustainable-shorelines/assessingecological-physical-performance/)

Monitoring Protocol - Impetus

NRC Decision-makers should appreciate the costs and benefits of the spectrum
of potential solutions to shoreline erosion problems, including potential
cumulative impacts on shoreline features, habitats, and other amenities.
USACE - Consider the full array of measures and account for the full array of
benefits
HRSSP Regional demonstration projects/case studies are needed
NYCGIRP Conceptual models and monitoring protocol development, Pilot
project identification, implementation, and monitoring (living laboratory),
Development of rapid assessment and ecosystem models
HRSSP Developing a region-wide consistent set of important parameters would
assist comparisons between ecosystems as well as states. Specifically, but not
limited to the monitoring discussions, funding was identified as a barrier for
implementation of sustainable shorelines.

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Problem: Time/Money
Solution: Rapid Assessment
Objective: Develop simple, cheap, but reliable assessment protocols which can be
carried out by a trained non-technical user.

Vegetated Slopes
Rocky Slopes
Offshore Mounds

Terrace

Sill

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Basis: Cary Institute Ecological

Rapid Assessment Protocol
So simple even an engineer can do itor not

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Developing an Engineering
Corollary

Integrity Param

Crest Elevatio

Slope Measurem

Stone Densit

Vegetation Den

Asset Displacem

Functional Parameters
Erosion Measurement
Visual Wave Assessment
Bulk Energy Assessment

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Integrating Ecological &

Engineering Protocols
Rapid Assessment Data Sheets
Rapid Assessment Field Guide
Satellite imagery/GIS information
Tidal Data
Clipboard
Tape Measure (100)
Tape Measure (25)
Camera
Waders
Stopwatch
Handheld GPS
Compass
Hula Hoop
Binoculars
Hand Level
Line Level
Marked Rope
Graduated Staffs
Plaster Spheres
Inclinometer

Italicized items may be replaced with a smartphone with appropriate apps loaded

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Step 2: Integrate Ecological &

Engineering Protocols

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Status Update/Schedule

Step 1: Develop preliminary engineering corollary to the ecological rapid

assessment
Step 2: Integrate the protocols
Step 3: Apply protocols at several sites
Step 4: Train an initial group of Super Users (guinea pigs) Summer
2016
Step 4: Revise/refine protocol Winter 2016/Spring 2017
Step 5: Independent application of protocol Summer 2017
Step 6: Finalize training materials - 2018
Throughout, opportunities to link to/with other work will be evaluated.

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Design Guidance
(http://www.nj.gov/dep/cmp/docs/living-shorelines-engineering-guidelinesfinal.pdf)

Development/Refinement of Design
Guidance
New Jersey Living Shorelines
Engineering Guidelines (2015)
Provides guidance to engineers
and regulators (and contractors,
land managers, ecologists)on
the engineering aspects of living
shorelines design
Intended to ensure
consistency with New Jerseys
Living Shorelines GP and
reduce the number of
potential failures due to poor
design and construction
http://www.nj.gov/dep/cmp/docs/living-shorelines-engineering-guidelines-final.pdf

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

New Jersey Living Shorelines Design

Guidelines
Not intended to be prescriptive
Approach
1. Identify factors relevant to living shoreline design
Provide guidance for selecting between alternatives*
2. Describe approaches for determining required parameters
Consider different levels of rigor for different parameters and
projects
3. Provide example of how these parameters influence design
Sills, breakwaters, joint planted revetment, reef balls, living reef
*Monitoring considered essential for refining this knowledge and
improving guidance for future projects

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Tiered Analysis Approach Recommended

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Project Selection Criteria

enotes critical parameters requiring level 2/3 analysis

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

TNC Restoration Explorer - NJ Living

Shorelines Design Guidelines Level 0

http://www.maps.coastalresilience.org/newjersey

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Conclusions

Much accomplished, much left to do

Linking project monitoring back to design guidance is critical
HUGE opportunity (NFWF, NOAA, USACE, HUD)
Likely that $$ & time will not be

One size does not fit all blessing & curse

Innovation vs regulation (liability?)

As we move away from traditional protection factors such as

wakes, ice, debris may become more important
Linking engineering and ecology early on is critical

ustainable Shorelines Webinar Series September 16, 2016

Jon K. Miller
jmiller@stevens.edu
@NJBeachProf