region of nourished beach by planting the appropriate species of dune grasses. Sand fencing, in conjunction with dune grass plantings, helps induce baffling and settlement of wind-blown sands (Figure 3-2). Moreover, a dune berm can be created to provide a foundation for dune creation, thus providing a head start in the dune building process.

Perhaps the most widely applied shoreline technique is to harden the shore or bluff with some type of fixed structure such as a bulkhead, seawall, or revetment (Figure 3-3). The primary goal of hardening the shore is to protect the coast from wave attack by creating a barrier to the erosive forces.

Traditional shoreline hardening design involves methods applied at a local or regional scale, often utilizing local materials such as stone, wood, and concrete, and built using techniques familiar to local marine contractors and property

FIGURE 3-2 A dune beach along Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay. Note the fencing and dune grass plantings. The fences and vegetation help to induce baffling and sand settlement.

SOURCE: VIMS photo archive. Courtesy of VIMS.