Norfolk, VA — The Elizabeth River Project (ERP), in partnership with Anchor QEA, has released a new guide called Wetland Restoration Using Thin Layer Placement: Best Management Practices for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The study was funded through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) grant and is designed to advance nationally-proven techniques to protect and restore Virginia’s coastal marshes—some of the state’s most important natural defenses.
Virginia’s coastal wetlands play a huge role in keeping communities safe. They filter pollution, provide homes for fish and wildlife, and help block waves during storms. But these wetlands are in danger. Rising sea levels, stronger storms, and sinking land are wearing them down faster than they can rebuild on their own, especially along urban coastlines that have little space for marshes to adapt naturally to stressors. Without action, Virginia could lose valuable habitat and important protection for people, homes, and businesses.
The new guide focuses on a method called thin layer placement (TLP). TLP is a coastal resilience technique that adds a thin layer of clean sediment on top of a drowning marsh. This extra sediment helps raise the marsh surface so it can keep up with rising water levels. TLP can also help restore wetlands that were damaged long ago, including areas near former industrial sites.
The document explains the practice of TLP in simple terms and provides step-by-step guidance for how to approach planning, designing, permitting, and monitoring TLP projects. It also includes lessons learned from other states, case studies from recent projects, and input from local and state partners who work on coastal resilience in Virginia.
“We created this document to give communities and decision-makers a practical place to start, bringing together existing guidance and examples to help plan for the future of our marshes,” said Gabriella DiPetto from the Elizabeth River Project. “Virginia’s coastal wetlands are too important to not be proactive in our approach to restoration, and TLP is one way we can help these wetlands survive the challenges ahead.”
Research shows that Virginia is experiencing sea level rise faster than many other places in the world. Some studies predict that the state could lose a large portion of its coastal wetlands by the end of the century, especially in cities and highly populated centers where marshes cannot move inland. This makes proactive planning even more important.
By using TLP as part of larger coastal resilience efforts, Virginia can help wetlands stay strong, support wildlife, and continue to shield communities from storms and flooding. The new guide encourages collaboration among scientists, engineers, local governments, and community members to make sure TLP projects are safe, effective, and environmentally responsible.
The Elizabeth River Project and Anchor QEA hope this resource will help leaders across the Commonwealth make informed choices that protect both nature and people.
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