NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE • January 27, 2025
Historically, riprap, retaining walls, and other hardened structures have been the dominant means by which erosion has been controlled along the shorelands of our lakes, rivers, and ocean waters. Although effective and necessary in some cases, these structures can have unintended consequences such as intensifying erosion next to the structure, degrading habitat for plants and animals in the important riparian zone, and inhibiting natural processes like sediment transport that are foundational to a properly functioning ecosystem. The rise of nature-based shoreline stabilization techniques in recent years has provided a practical alternative to these traditional hardened structures that minimize negative impacts while still providing the same erosion control benefits.