Although not generally recommended because it limits coastal wetland migration and the transfer of sediment from uplands, rip-rap can be placed in or adjacent to a coastal wetland to protect property within 100 feet of an eroding bank, as long as the wetland does not have mudflats or salt marsh vegetation, or is within the Coastal Sand Dune System (Chapter 305, 8, A, (1)-(6). Otherwise, an individual permit will likely be required from Maine DEP in order to pursue bank stabilization that impacts coastal wetlands. Rip-rap best management practices for placement and construction techniques are available from Maine DEP.

The placement of a bulkhead adjacent to a coastal wetland will require permitting from Maine DEP. Like rip-rap, bulkheads limit the landward migration of wetlands, and cut off the natural transfer of sediment from eroding banks into the wetland. However, in some cases, their placement might be a necessity.

Some good sources for using bulkheads and rip-rap adjacent to marshes include the North Carolina Coastal Federation Erosion Control: Non-Structural Alternatives, A Shorefront Property Owner’s Guide, Shoreline Erosion Control Using Marsh Vegetation and Low-Cost Structures, and Maine DEP’s guide for the use of gabions.