Overview: This project removed shoreline armor on the south facing bluff and beach at Maylor Point, located south of Oak Harbor, Washington. The site sits at a divergence zone of two drift cells which have a combined length of 3.5 miles. The project removed barriers to sediment transport processes and restore 1.32 acres of intertidal habitat. Citizen science groups and the landowners will assess opportunities for ongoing monitoring.

What we are doing:
This project will restore feeder bluff processes and uncover 38,000 ft² of buried shoreline habitat by removing:

• 1,300 tires, 185 chemically‐treated timber posts and 165 treated planks
• 5,600 concrete ‘pillows’
• 1,100 cubic yards of large armor stone and boulders
• 225 cubic yards of small angular rock

Why is this issue important:
Physical processes such as wave action, landslides, and erosion shape the beaches and extraordinary shorelines of Puget Sound.   Hard armor such as concrete bulkheads, seawalls, and groins interrupts the natural flow of sand and other sediments. Although 27% of our shoreline is armored, much of it is unnecessary, providing limited or no benefit to property or local economies. This project develops partnerships that may benefit the public throughout Puget Sound.

What you can do:
Maintaining a natural shoreline is often the best means of protecting your waterfront property from erosion. Consider removing hard armor or replacing old armor with a natural soft‐shore alternative. Adequate setbacks, native vegetation, and proper drainage management all help slow erosion rates while supporting vibrant marine ecosystems.

About our organization:
As the nonprofit organization in the Northwest Straits Initiative, the Northwest Straits Foundation works with seven county‐ based Marine Resources Committees and the Northwest Straits Commission to protect and restore marine ecosystems in Puget Sound. The Foundation manages large habitat restoration projects, and provides a variety of resources to interested (public and private) shoreline property owners.

More information and information from previous funding

Did you know: This project recently went to construction and is almost complete. We will host an update here with more information in the future. The Habitat Strategic Initiative is working to refine and implement the Shoreline Armoring Implementation Strategy which aims to reduce impacts of hard armor along Puget Sound’s shorelines and support efforts that educate and create incentives for change.