Ba Than, Andrew

Andrew Ba Than was a speaker at the WEFTEC 2024 conference in New Orleans, LA October 5-9, 2024.

Titles from this speaker

Nature Based Living Shorelines: The Challenges and Lessons Learned

Abstract

Introduction Coastal regions globally are experiencing the growing manifestation of the effects of climate change, where the intensified frequency and severity of storm events, along with the rise of sea levels, pose escalating threats to communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems. It is in this context that nature-based solutions, often referred to as 'green infrastructure,' have emerged as sustainable and adaptive measures to counter the multifarious challenges arising from coastal vulnerability. The challenges and lessons learned from three living shoreline projects from around the country includes: Lister Park Project (LPP) on the south shore of Long Island, NY; Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Project (CISRP) at the Port of Kennewick along the Columbia River in Kennewick, WA; and Miami-Dade County (MDC) Living Shoreline Project in southeast Florida. Objectives This presentation will gain insight on lessons learned from three nature-based solutions projects in three separate geographies and environments. Seamlessly integrating flood protection, habitat restoration, and public access along the Mill River waterfront, the LPP addresses multifaceted impacts of climate change with a focus on community engagement. Simultaneously, the CISRP aims to overcome ecological challenges from historical waste concrete deposition, emphasizing biodiversity and shoreline stabilization through the creation of a strategically designed submerged bank for juvenile salmon. The MDC Living Shoreline Project initiative seeks to navigate regulatory complexities, developing a Living Shorelines Guidance Document for nature-based solutions. Status Construction of the LPP was completed in December 2023, the CISRP was completed in May 2023, Methodology The LPP integrates living shorelines-a nature-based design alternative employing a blend of green and grey solutions to combat erosion while concurrently promoting the restoration of vital ecosystems along a tidal river. This 5,500 LF living shoreline was meticulously designed to encompass a variety of riverbank conditions, serve as a buffer against both routine and extreme flooding events, thereby protecting the community and its assets. The CISRP confronts substantive ecological challenges stemming from the deposition of concrete waste along its shoreline. This has precipitated adverse effects on the habitat for federally listed species including juvenile salmon, which necessitated prompt and comprehensive restoration initiatives. The project's objective is to surmount these challenges through the systematic creation of a strategically designed submerged bank tailored to the precise requirements of juvenile salmon. Concurrently, the project addresses the stabilization of the shoreline, mitigating the effects of concrete deposition, and the establishment of riparian habitats fostering biodiversity. The MDC Living Shoreline Project involves the development of a guidance document poised to assist public and private entities in securing funding opportunities, navigating regulatory complexities, and incentivizing living shoreline creation through time and cost savings. Despite the recognized ecological benefits of living shorelines, challenges arise from perceived regulatory complexities. MDC, having undertaken multiple living shorelines projects on public lands, faces concerns over onerous regulations, prompting calls for changes in relevant acts and codes. Findings and Significance For the Lister Park Project, the design team encountered challenges necessitating adaptive solutions, such as the potential impact on existing utilities, change in conditions, and constraints of budgetary allocations precipitating iterative adaptations throughout the design and construction process. Additionally, existing conditions from when the living shoreline was surveyed to when construction began drastically changed due to the continual shoreline erosion. The CISRP stands as a testament for ecological sustainability, envisioning harmonious coexistence between industrial progress and environmental conservation on Clover Island. The MDC Living Shoreline provides a valuable resource for stakeholders involved in shoreline development and conservation within the county. These three projects emphasize the significance of adaptive strategies, tailored designs, and regulatory considerations in effectively implementing nature-based solutions to combat the multifaceted challenges of coastal vulnerability.

Coastal regions face intensified storms and rising sea levels due to climate change. Nature-based solutions like green infrastructure offer sustainable adaptations. Three projects highlight this approach: Lister Park in NY blends green and grey solutions for erosion control and ecosystem restoration. Clover Island in WA transformed a degraded shoreline into habitat for juvenile salmon. Miami-Dade's project in FL created a guidance document for living shorelines, promoting coastal resilience.

SpeakerBa Than, Andrew

Presentation time

11:30:00

12:00:00

Session time

10:30:00

12:00:00

SessionOne Water Approaches from Urban Strategies to Coastal Resilience

Session number531

Session locationRoom 240

TopicClimate Change Adaptation and Metrics, Intermediate Level, One Water Management

Author(s)