Reducing Negative Impacts of Shore Armoring Through Targeted Landowner Outreach, Incentives, and Planner Education
Presentation Abstract
This project sought to reduce harmful effects of shore hardening in the Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area (PSMSA), reaching two target audiences most likely to influence decisions regarding shore hardening: county planners who issue shoreline development permits and coastal property owners seeking to obtain these permits. The project focused on the PSMSA as a geographically distinct location, with a lower than average amount of shore armoring and a moderately high stewardship ethic amongst residents. Project Highlights: Planner needs assessment and education: A needs assessment was conducted prior to offering an educational workshop in order to characterize the target audience and identify training needs. The workshop focused on nearshore processes, instances when a structure would be indicated, and the characteristics of “soft-shore” approaches to armoring. Landowner Education and Incentives: Pre-workshop survey data were compiled to ascertain the concerns of coastal property owners. The greatest concern was erosion and loss of value due to erosion. Cost was identified as a barrier to property owners receiving professional advice about management options for their shorelines. Two workshops were offered focusing on shoreline processes and best management practices specific to the shore of the PSMSA. Property owners in priority shoreline areas were offered free site visits by a coastal geologist or a vegetation management specialist to receive shoreline management recommendations. Key Results: The biggest need identified by planners regarding landowners was education regarding permitting, regulations, coastal processes, and management alternatives. Landowners were often saddled with homes built too close to the shore, prescribing a narrow range of management alternatives. Professional site visits were found to be viewed as a valuable incentive by property owners encouraging them to learn about their management options.
Session Title
Session S-08H: Incentives, Guidance and Collaboration for Greener Shorelines
Conference Track
Social Science Plus
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
1-5-2014 5:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 6:30 PM
Location
Room 6C
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Seashore--Washington (State)--Port Susan Region--Management
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Port Susan Region (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Reducing Negative Impacts of Shore Armoring Through Targeted Landowner Outreach, Incentives, and Planner Education
Room 6C
This project sought to reduce harmful effects of shore hardening in the Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area (PSMSA), reaching two target audiences most likely to influence decisions regarding shore hardening: county planners who issue shoreline development permits and coastal property owners seeking to obtain these permits. The project focused on the PSMSA as a geographically distinct location, with a lower than average amount of shore armoring and a moderately high stewardship ethic amongst residents. Project Highlights: Planner needs assessment and education: A needs assessment was conducted prior to offering an educational workshop in order to characterize the target audience and identify training needs. The workshop focused on nearshore processes, instances when a structure would be indicated, and the characteristics of “soft-shore” approaches to armoring. Landowner Education and Incentives: Pre-workshop survey data were compiled to ascertain the concerns of coastal property owners. The greatest concern was erosion and loss of value due to erosion. Cost was identified as a barrier to property owners receiving professional advice about management options for their shorelines. Two workshops were offered focusing on shoreline processes and best management practices specific to the shore of the PSMSA. Property owners in priority shoreline areas were offered free site visits by a coastal geologist or a vegetation management specialist to receive shoreline management recommendations. Key Results: The biggest need identified by planners regarding landowners was education regarding permitting, regulations, coastal processes, and management alternatives. Landowners were often saddled with homes built too close to the shore, prescribing a narrow range of management alternatives. Professional site visits were found to be viewed as a valuable incentive by property owners encouraging them to learn about their management options.
