Qualified landowners, homeowners associations and community boards can now apply for cost assistance for “living shoreline” installations, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced Monday.

Help will be offered through the department’s Living Shoreline Cost Share Program, which aims to shield properties in watersheds by providing cost assistance for protection projects that use natural materials.

Living shorelines utilize substances like native plants, oyster shells and biodegradable coconut fiber coir logs as barriers against shoreline erosion and flood impacts.

The effort has been modified to offer more financial assistance to landowners to cover the actual cost of the project. Additionally, department staff will make direct contact with the landowner or group for a better understanding of the program.

The initiative provides a review of the project’s design for meeting criteria; assistance with understanding criteria and the permitting process; reimbursement of a percentage of costs upon completion; opportunities to learn how to conduct citizen monitoring; and annual maintenance checks for five years.

The Cost Share for Vegetative Shoreline Stabilization Program was originally begun by the Division of Water’s Wetlands and Waterways Section in 2007. In 2021, the Watershed Assessment and Management Section became the grant applicator, in addition to providing two funding sources. By the end of 2022, the Living Shoreline Cost Share Program had been redesigned, renamed and prepared for relaunch.

Financial assistance depends on the project’s size and watershed location. Potential applicants can find a process timeline and guidelines here (click on “Cost Share Program”).

Eligible project areas are within targeted watersheds. Only plans in these locations will be considered for assistance.

Groups of landowners, homeowners associations or community boards are also encouraged to apply for assistance with projects where properties may be adjacent to each other or in shared spaces.

Funding for the Living Shoreline Cost Share Program comes from the partnership between the Watershed Assessment and Management Section and the Nonpoint Source Program. Information can be found here.