What does the Coastal Land Trust plan to do at Springer’s Point Preserve?  The Coastal Land Trust is contracting with the North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF) on the design and implementation of a natural shoreline restoration project (also known as a “Living Shoreline”) for the Preserve.

What is involved in the project? The project focuses on restoring approximately 500 feet of shoreline along the Old Slough side of the Preserve and will be a demonstration project. An oyster bag sill will be placed offshore and parallel to the existing marsh to create a living breakwater, which will allow the natural aquatic ecosystem to form. The marsh between the oyster bag sill and the shoreline will then be planted with native marsh grasses. The goal is that the shore will buffer the wind and wave-driven erosion so that the shore can accrete and build naturally.  Community partners will assist with the project, and local fisherman have been contracted to bag the oyster shell and build the oyster bag sill. The Coastal Land Trust and NCCF also plan to recruit volunteers from local schools and the community to assist with the planting of marsh grass.

What about the existing “jetty”? Decades before the Coastal Land Trust purchased Springer’s Point Preserve, a prior owner deposited huge slabs of concrete, debris, and rubble along the “Point” where Old Slough flows into the Pamlico Sound and extended a jetty from the Point. The NC Division of Coastal Management (DCM) and NCCF Coastal Scientists have recommend breaking up the existing concrete slabs and rubble into smaller pieces and returning these to the existing footprint to more effectively buffer wave action. Therefore, at the same time that the Living Shoreline is created along Old Slough, maintenance work will be carried out on the jetty and adjacent shore area.  This maintenance work will be completed by local contractors from Hatteras and Wanchese.

Why not just let nature take its course?  The Coastal Land Trust prefers to keep natural shorelines natural; however, because it “inherited” the modified Springer’s Point shoreline when it purchased the Preserve, it is now tasked with stewarding the Preserve to maintain its conservation values. The Coastal Land Trust and NCCF have determined that the Living Shoreline is the most ecologically-sensitive shoreline restoration option available.  It has been successfully utilized in other areas by NCCF, including other conservation lands, such as Jockey’s Ridge State Park and Hammocks Beach State Park. Additionally, the Coastal Land Trust believes that the Living Shoreline demonstration project will be an excellent and visible environmental education tool to foster an appreciation of natural shoreline restoration (as opposed to bulkheading) and the important functions of marsh habitat.  

Will a Coastal Area Management (CAMA) permit be required for the Old Slough shoreline restoration project?  No. The state has advised the Coastal Land Trust that no permit is required since the work being planned is considered to be maintenance work.

Has this type of restoration work been done before?   Yes.  The Coastal Federation has completed over 19 “Living Shoreline” projects along the coast. These Living Shoreline projects incorporate bio-engineering techniques to avoid a “hardened” shoreline (e.g., bulkheads) and generally include combining stone, oyster shell, bio-logs or other structures with marsh plantings. 

Who is paying for the project? The primary funder of the Old Slough work is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which reviewed the project and awarded the Coastal Land Trust a grant to proceed. Funding for the jetty maintenance work is being provided by a separate federal grant awarded to NCCF and by private donations to the Coastal Land Trust for this purpose. You can support the project by designating a special on-line donation, or contacting Vann Pearsall, (910) 790-4524 x210.

When will the restoration activities take place and what precautions will be taken during the work?   The Coastal Land Trust plans to begin the restoration work as soon as possible, but no later than March, and be completed with the marsh grass plantings by the end of May.  If necessary, the Coastal Land Trust will temporarily close the Preserve to visitors for safety reasons and to promote the success of the project.

Who can I contact to volunteer to help with or get more information about this project?   Contact Lee Leidy at 252/335-9495 in the Elizabeth City Office.