Because of the many problems with flood and erosion control structures, there has been a shift in recent years toward non-structural shore stabilization techniques. Non-structural shore protection measures generally seek to enhance the natural ability of shorelines to absorb and dissipate storm energy without interfering with natural beach, dune, and bank processes.
Some non-structural shore protection techniques to consider include:
- Renourishing beaches and dunes.
- Stabilizing dunes with fences and vegetation. Be sure to avoid invasive species, which may create their own problems. To see if a plant is potentially invasive at Tulane’s Invasive Species Portal or at the LSU Sea Grant’s invasive species site.
- Protecting, nourishing, or constructing dunes.
- Re-vegetating/stabilizing shorelines and/or riparian (river) corridors with native plants.
- Creating or restoring wetlands.
- Prohibiting or more stringently restricting the infill of wetlands.
- Coastal restoration and preservation

Notes from the folks at CRS:
“CRS credits programs that maintain measures that protect buildings from coastal flooding or erosion. These include dune and mangrove preservation, bluff stabilization, and beach nourishment programs.”