IECA Great Lakes Virtual Connection: Coastal Erosion Management

Hosted by the IECA Great Lakes Chapter and IECA

Join us for the IECA Great Lakes Virtual Connection: Coastal Erosion Management where we will explore the factors contributing to elevated water levels, the challenges they create, and mitigation techniques used to build resilience and address the issues. This three-part recorded series will examine areas impacted by coastal erosion; from the water line to the bluffs above and finally long-term revegetation and maintenance. This event offers three (3) recorded webinars with 3 hours of available Professional Development Hours and no cost to IECA members and $50 for nonmembers.

Learn from industry leaders as they tackle the tough challenges of coastal erosion, while working to care for the environment. Attendees can expect to learn:

1. Contributing factors leading to increased coastal erosion.
2. Different approaches to manage and mitigate coastal erosion.
3. Vegetations important role to long-term stabilization.

Agenda (On-Demand):

Water levels in the Great Lakes have been above their long-term average levels for several years, reaching record levels in 2019 and 2020. These high water conditions, in combination with storm surge and waves from coastal storms, have eroded coastal bluffs, banks and beaches around the Great Lakes. In response to these dramatic changes, many property owners have begun armoring shorelines, sometimes with unsuitable materials and practices which may offer only limited protection to the shoreline while potentially causing harm to habitat and neighboring properties. Building resilience to Great Lakes coastal hazards requires consideration of the many different processes that can affect coastal hazards. A “top-down” approach to protecting coastal properties takes into account all of these processes from both the land and the water. Starting at the top of a bluff or bank, proper management of land use, water, and vegetation can help slow erosion of the coast and keep assets out of harm’s way. Working down the bluff, water and vegetation management are still important and stabilization of the slope may be necessary if bluff collapse is of concern. At the water line, well-engineered shore protection should be carefully considered due to cost and potential impacts to neighboring properties. This talk will discuss the current high water conditions on the Great Lakes, the impacts that high water levels have had on Wisconsin’s Great Lakes coasts and an overview of the mitigation strategies that are being taken to adapt to a changing coast.

Placing fill below the Ordinary Highwater Mark (OHWM) in Lake Michigan to stabilize the shoreline requires permits from the Army Corps of Engineers. We will discuss how to identify the OHWM and when exactly permits are required. In addition we will talk about the process for obtaining a permit in Indiana and what may be required, including in “emergency situations”. Finally we will briefly touch on common issues we see when evaluating shoreline stabilization projects in Indiana.

Effective October 1, 2020, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Chicago District) established the Lake Michigan Regional General Permit (LMRGP) for activities located within Lake Michigan in Cook and Lake Counties in Illinois. The LMRGP provides a simplified and expeditious means for review and authorization of shoreline protection measures such as revetments, breakwaters, and groins. During this period of high water levels currently being experienced on Lake Michigan, the ability to efficiently meet the urgent need for shoreline protection while maintaining protection of aquatic resources is especially important. This presentation will detail the regulatory framework for addressing these urgently needed projects.

ERC Senior Restoration Ecologist Clay Frazer will give an overview of native vegetation re-establishment on the coastal Lake Michigan bluff at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW). Following re-grading of this 20-acre project area invasive plant species dominated the site, threatening the structural integrity of the site and negatively impacting ecological and aesthetic value of this highly visible and heavily utilized area. Mr. Frazer will discuss the biological drivers behind healthy coastal bluff plant communities, the threats to these communities, as well as methods, strategies, and specialized erosion control products employed to re-establish deep-rooted native plant communities to the site.

Notice: After you register for this event, be sure to 'add to calendar' either from the content tab or when you receive the confirmation email. You will join the event through this same page in the IECA eHub. If you miss a live event, it will be recorded. 

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You will receive Professional Development Hours per class in this Virtual Connection. You have the option to listen to as many presentations as you wish, however you will only receive education credit for the presentations you attended. The total number of Professional Development Hours for this event is three (3).

IECA's Group Watch Feature is designed to save you money while still delivering our world class education. The cost is one connection at full price and then each additional connection within your organization is $15. You must be part of the same organization to purchase group watch. To purchase the group watch for your organization, please contact jack@ieca.org.