Introduction

Innovative shoreline adaptation methods, such as nature-based solutions, can utilize a more natural approach to restore, enhance, and protect against coastal flooding and erosion. However, this is an emerging technique, and barriers exist in local codes, zones, and permitting. PEP and New York Sea Grant work in coordination with local municipalities to review codes and policies, document hurdles, and suggest improvements that will result in these resilient shoreline adaptation methods becoming a more feasible option across the Peconic Estuary.  

The Shoreline Adaptation Initiative’s Core Assessment Advisory Group is a subcommittee of the Technical Advisory Committee.

Who is involved?

 Overall, this work looks to answer the question: What factors are contributing to the issues faced in the process of thoughtful climate resilience planning on the shorelines of the Peconic Estuary?  The Shoreline Adaptation Initiative synthesizes information gathered from partnerships within the many subgroups within it to leverage funds to create resources and draft policy/process changes to align decision-making, goals, and interpretation of shoreline policies in the Peconic Estuary.

Shoreline Management involves a host of stakeholders and affects all community members of the estuary.

Regulatory/Core Assessment Advisory Group: The Shoreline Adaptation Initiative works with an advisory group of Policy/lawmakers and regulatory review officials to understand the context of shoreline adaptation in the Peconic Estuary. This group is made up of representatives from NYDEC, PEP, NYSG, Suffolk County, DOS, and local government trustees and representatives.

Permit review happens at multiple-layered regulatory agencies. This multi-jurisdictional review includes Federal, State, and local town levels. In certain areas of the Peconic Estuary, this process includes additional layers of village governments and Town Trustee regulatory review.

Land Managers/Homeowners: Shoreline Adaptation Initiative works with property owners, groups of property owners, and land managers along the shoreline to identify and document current internal permit process hurdles to collaboratively find meaningful solutions.

Implementers/Practitioners: The Shoreline Adaptation Initiative works to identify and document hurdles faced by implementers, from engineers and expeditors. Documenting this experience highlights the inter-agency and multi-jurisdictional challenges of completing a nature-based shoreline adaptation project, as well as inspires future solutions that may benefit all stakeholders.

Policy Makers: Using information gathered at the many levels of the permitting process, the Shoreline Adaptation Initiative continuously collaborates with lawmakers as amendments to code & zone regulations and process solutions are recommended. This work will connect needed resources developed by partners to lawmakers and advisory committees to alleviate regulatory hurdles.

The PEP Shoreline Adaptation Initiative refers to the greater effort of subgroups and advisory groups to review all 1:1 interviews and workshops with each stakeholder subgroup. Subgroups include implementation professionals and land owner/managing community groups. Subgroups & advisory groups represent each stakeholder’s perspective in the process of successful shoreline adaptation. Each group has expressed the need for resources and process documentation to make informed shoreline management decisions.

Shoreline Adaptation Initiative’s Mission

The initiative synthesizes information gathered from partnerships within the many subgroups within it to leverage funds and position to create resources and draft policy/process changes to align decision-making, goals, and interpretation of shoreline policies in the Peconic Estuary and is ultimately a product of shoreline adaptation.

Our Long-Term Process:

1. Assess the current status of shoreline codes, policies, and processes with local municipalities
2. Identify similarities and differences of codes, policies, and system processes across jurisdictions
3. Workshop to review NYS model local laws and discuss how current town codes and policies can be adapted 
4. Connect information compiled on hurdles within the permitting process to highlight the effects of current policies in practice
5. Draft change alongside municipalities & share lessons learned to create a system in which nature-based solutions are a viable option in the Peconic Estuary 

Collection of Resources:

The initiative is in the midst of reviewing a collection of resources to be published in the 2025 PEP-NYSG Shoreline Adaptation Initiative Needs Assessment & Recommendation Document constructed by Peconic Estuary Partnership and New York Sea Grant.

A preliminary list of resources is below & please email Jade.blennau@stonybrook.edu to share helpful resources related to this topic!

Related Content

• Resilient Communities Prepared for Climate Change
  Peconic Estuary Partnership leads scientifically informed, proactive efforts by local communities that can reduce the negative impacts of climate change. Learn more about climate change resilience in coastal communities here.
• Peconic Estuary Partnership - Healthy Ecosystems with Abundant, Diverse Wildlife
  Peconic Estuary Partnership is working to build scientific understanding and support decision-making to address threats to habitat and species. Learn more about the many important habitats of the Peconic Estuary and how we can better protect them.

More Resources

• NYSDEC Tidal Wetlands Guidance Document (2017)
  DEC document including helpful instructions to guide the creation of a living shoreline.
• NOAA Living Shorelines
  NOAA webpage with helpful diagrams and descriptions regarding living vs. hardened shorelines.
• USGS Waves and Currents
  USGS image describing the longshore current and resultant sand transport along a typical beach.