The credits described in this section are available for restoration and enhancement actions, and for avoiding activities that damage shoreline processes.

Shoreline processes refer to the interaction of water, wind, waves, and the shore that shape our diverse beach, bluff, cliff, and estuarine areas.

The shoreline process credits are intended to encourage waterfront property owners to protect, restore, and/or maintain the natural physical processes that form shorelines and that benefit shoreline ecosystems along with the many organisms that live within them.

For a complete description of credits available for Shoreline Processes, please consult the GSH Guide.

In this Section:

Credit 1.1: No Shoreline Protection Structures
Credits are awarded where there are not shoreline protections such as bulkheads, groins or other shore protection structures on the waterfront property, and none proposed for the foreseeable future.

Credit 1.2: Setback and Impact Avoidance
This credit encourages setting back existing or proposed buildings and other major improvements far enough from the shoreline or bluff crest to avoid the need for shore protection structures over the life of the improvements.

Credit 1.3: Bulkhead Removal
This credit encourages setting back existing or proposed buildings and other major improvements far enough from the shoreline or bluff crest to avoid the need for shore protection structures over the life of the improvements.

Credit 1.4: Groin Removal
This credit applies to removal of groins and any other structures that extend perpendicular to the shoreline (cross-shore) and impede sediment transport or tidal circulation (wherever removal is feasible, and would restore physical processes).

Credit 1.5: Soft Shore Protection or Enhancement
This credit applies to the construction of soft shore protection rather than hard shore protection structures anywhere shoreline erosion control is needed.

Credit 1.6: Managed Retreat
This credit applies when existing buildings can be moved inland to help prevent shoreline erosion and adapt to ongoing or predicted shoreline recession.

The Shoreline Habitat credits for the Green Shores for Homes program encompass actions that protect, enhance or restore shoreline habitat, including aquatic and riparian habitats.

For Green Shores programs, shoreline habitat includes:

• The subtidal zone (in marine environments) or the littoral zone (in lake environments) to a depth of 35 feet (10 m) below datum;
• The foreshore or intertidal zone; and
• The riparian and backshore up to 200 feet (60 m) from the OHWM or Natural Boundary (see Glossary).

For a complete description of credits available for Shoreline Habitat, please consult the GSH Guide.

Credit 2.1: Riparian Vegetation
The credits described in this section are available for restoration and enhancement actions, and for avoiding activities that damage shoreline processes

Credit 2.2: Trees and Snags
This credit applies for preservation of trees, including standing dead trees (snags), on waterfront properties, and particularly in the riparian buffer

Credit 2.3: Invasive Species
This credit applies to removal, reduction and management of invasive vegetation and noxious weeds.

Credit 2.4: Woody Material
This credit applies to the retention of existing or addition of woody material along shores where it naturally occurs.

Credit 2.5: Overwater Structures
This credit discourages installation of new overwater structures and provides design standards if such structures are necessary.

Credit 2.6: Access Design
This credit applies to the design or re-design of access to the shoreline from upland areas so that it avoids or minimizes environmental impacts on the shoreline area.

The Water Quality category encompasses actions that a shoreline landowner can take to reduce or eliminate the amount of sediment, chemical and organic pollutants that are discharged to lakes and marine waters directly or in surface runoff.

The runoff associated with rain events is typically referred to as “stormwater,” but it is important to recognize that the majority of surface runoff is from light, steady rainfall and not just occasional storms. Therefore, in this credit, we use the term “rainwater management” in addition to stormwater to refer to the runoff from regular rainfalls as well as bigger storms.

For a complete description of credits available for Water Quality, please consult the GSH Guide.

In this section:

Credit 3.1: Minimize Site Disturbance
This credit applies to actions in order to minimize the amount of clearing, grading, and soil disturbance during construction on the site.

Credit 3.2: Reduce and Treat Runoff from Impervious Surfaces
This credit applies to actions that minimize the amount of impervious surface area and encourages the use of low impact development measures where feasible to further reduce the quantity and improve the quality of surface runoff.

Credit 3.3 Environmentally Friendly Building Products
This credit awards points to discourage using toxic chemicals or chemically treated wood in the construction and maintenance of overwater structures, or landscaping structures in riparian areas.

Credit 3.4: Creosote Materials Removal
This credit encourages removal of creosote-treated pilings and creosoted beach debris.

Credit 3.5: Herbicides, Pesticides, and Fertilizers
This credit discourages use of synthetic or inorganic herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers in routine landscape maintenance.

Credit 3.6: Onsite Sewage Treatment
This credit applies to design of onsite sewage treatment systems in order to minimize the release of pollutants to downstream receiving waters.

The Shoreline Stewardship category encompasses actions that shoreline landowners can take that support not only their own interests, but also public interests, whether they encompass environmental, recreational, educational, or aesthetic values.

For a complete description of credits available for Shoreline Stewardship, please consult the GSH Guide.

In this Section:

Credit 4.1: Shoreline Collaboration
This credit applies to shoreline protection or enhancement projects where neighbouring property owners could work together.

Credit 4.2: Public Information and Education
This credit provides opportunities to educate others about the Green Shores measures taken on your property.

Credit 4.3: Conservation Easement or Covenant
This credit provides opportunities to educate others about the Green Shores measures taken on your property.

Credit 4.4: Shoreline Stewardship Participation
This credit applies when you involve your project in an environmental program that benefits shoreline areas.