Journal of Science Policy & Governance
​Volume 20, Issue 01 | March 28, 2022

Policy Memo: Selling New Jersey Landowners on Living Shorelines as the Superior Method for Coastline Protection

Christina M. Hernandez (1,2), Elizabeth Bouchard (3,4), Aaron A. Cornell (5), and Heidi Yeh (4,6)
  1. New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Newark, NJ
  2. New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, Department of Medicine, Newark, NJ
  3. Rutgers University School of Environmental & Biological Sciences, Department of Ecology & Evolution, New Brunswick, NJ 
  4. Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, Port Norris, NJ 
  5. Rutgers University, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, New Brunswick, NJ
  6. Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Marine & Coastal Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ

​Corresponding author: cmh329@gsbs.rutgers.edu​
Keywords: living shorelines; coastal resilience; nature-based solutions; climate change
https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG200105

Executive Summary

Living Shorelines (LS) refer to the combined use of man-made and natural materials to build a resilient and ecologically vibrant shore. LS are an emerging alternative to hardened shorelines (HS), which employ engineered structures to reinforce eroding shorelines. LS better protect coastlines against erosion and flooding, which are of increasing concern due to climate change and rising sea levels. New Jersey (NJ) is a leader in LS policy, but lack of knowledge regarding these structures hinders further LS implementation. Progress has been made to reduce regulatory hurdles for LS projects. However, decision-making power rests with many private property owners (PO) who default to familiar approaches, like HS. Therefore, we advise the NJ state legislature to encourage LS development by appropriating funds to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection or other relevant agencies to conduct an awareness campaign in key coastal communities. Additionally, PO can be incentivized to convert from HS to LS by restructuring the existing NJ Shoreline Protection Fund. This proactive intervention will provide environmental benefits, in addition to protecting the coastline of NJ.

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Background header image courtesy of NOAA Fisheries
Christina M. Hernandez is a 6th year Ph.D. Candidate in the Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation Track, part of the Biomedical Sciences Program at Rutgers, NJMS. Her research focuses on the role of carbonic anhydrase enzymes in regulating type 2 inflammation. Christina holds a B.S. in Biology from Montclair State University, NJ. She is passionate about science policy as a way to encourage policymakers to consider scientific evidence and environmental implications when creating and passing their legislation. She hopes to champion healthcare and conservation.   

​Elizabeth Bouchard is a 2nd year graduate student in the Ecology and Evolution Graduate Program at Rutgers University. She holds a B.A. in environmental science from Wheaton College (MA). Her research investigates how oyster farms interact with horseshoe crabs and a threatened migratory shorebird species. Elizabeth is passionate about science communication. She strives to bridge the gap between scientists, industry, and policymakers.

Aaron A. Cornell is a 1st year Public Policy student at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. He holds a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Political Science from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. His interests lie in the usage of behavioral science to guide policy implementation and program evaluation. He also studies child welfare outcomes for the State of Oklahoma’s Indian Child Welfare Act Partnership Grant. 

Heidi Yeh is a graduate student at Rutgers University, pursuing a Ph.D. in Oceanography. Her research focuses on the oyster microbiome in the context of aquaculture and reef restoration. Heidi holds a B.A. from Barnard College of Columbia University and a M.S. from the University of Connecticut. She enjoys communicating science through food and was drawn to oysters as a vehicle for connecting people to the environment. 

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Science Policy and Advocacy at Rutgers (SPAR) organization for initiating this policy memo and for their valuable feedback during the editing process. 




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