Berkeley Plantation Living Shoreline

434

lbs of Nitrogen removed annually

lbs of Phosphorous removed annually

206630

lbs of Sediment removed annually

1.5

Acres of Wetlands Restored

The 1,500 linear foot project at Berkeley Plantation is the first ever living shoreline funded by the Virginia Agricultural Cost-Share program and is designed to reduce erosion that would threaten a producing field while simultaneously removing pollutants from the water and providing habitat for native wildlife.

Project Background

The living shoreline project design used a 2050 mean high water level based on the NOAA intermediate-high predicted rate of sea level rise. The shoreline includes the installation of one (1) 190-foot breakwater, one (1) 540-foot sill with habitat gaps, one (1) 340-foot sill with habitat gaps, sand fill, and freshwater plants behind the structures to restore freshwater wetlands along portions of the project. The central and eastern sills will protect the fastland by enhancing and expanding the existing wetlands and creating a shoreline capable of dissipating storm waves and wakes along this stretch of shoreline.

Partners

The Berkeley Plantation living shoreline project was a collaborative effort led by the Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD), Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation - Shoreline Erosion Advisory Service (DCR-SEAS), James River Association (JRA), and the Department of Environmental Quality, with support from the Living Shoreline Collaborative. Design and project management were provided by VHB, while Environmental Quality Resources, a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP-Shorelines) contractor, handled the installation. This partnership brought together conservation expertise and professional skill to protect the James River shoreline and enhance its natural habitat.

Funding

The Berkeley Plantation living shoreline project had a total cost of $895,000, covering installation and engineering. Funding was shared through multiple sources: construction costs were supported by Virginia Agricultural BMP Cost-Share Program (VACS) funds, administered by the Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD), which are reimbursed after project completion. To provide interim funding, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Agricultural Best Management Practice Loan Program offered the property owner a zero-interest loan for construction. Permitting and design were funded by the James River Association (JRA) through grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction program, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Altria Group. This collaborative and strategic funding approach ensured the project's success and financial sustainability.

Construction Metrics

The Berkeley Plantation living shoreline project involved significant construction efforts, including the creation of 39,830 square feet of low marsh and 22,300 square feet of upland buffer. The project incorporated 16,570 native plants, such as saltmeadow hay, big cordgrass, three-square, broadleaf arrowhead, and pickerelweed, to enhance habitat and stabilize the shoreline. Construction also required 4,275 tons of sand nourishment and 2,825 tons of armor stone to build protective sills. Despite its success, the project faced several challenges, including securing permits, navigating funding complexities, addressing the considerations of working on a historical property, and managing the large-scale scope of the project. These efforts underscored the importance of strategic planning and collaboration in overcoming obstacles and delivering impactful shoreline restoration.

Monitoring and Maintenance Plans

The Berkeley Plantation living shoreline project includes a comprehensive monitoring and maintenance plan to ensure its long-term success. Trained Marsh Steward volunteers from the James River Association (JRA) will conduct annual site visits and perform assessments following extreme weather events to evaluate maintenance needs and track progress. During the first year, maintenance is covered under Environmental Quality Resources’ one-year project warranty, which includes tasks like plant replacement and maintaining goose exclusion fencing. Long-term performance will be monitored using the VIMS ShoreWatch App to track site conditions over time. Additionally, through the Virginia Agricultural BMP Cost-Share Program (VACS), the landowner is committed to a 15-year monitoring and maintenance plan, ensuring sustained care and effectiveness of the shoreline restoration.