Archives: FAQs
Living on Bluffs – Diverting runoff to the beach from your bluff
If you live at the top of a bluff, taking care of your water runoff is critical. Homeowners have caused landslides by directing water over…
Living on Bluffs – Living at the base of a bluff
Many beachfront communities in the Puget Sound region were built along the shoreline on a flat area at the base of a bluff. These communities…
Living on Bluffs – Understanding bluff anatomy
On the upland side (top of bluff), slope failures may occur as a result of water buildup in the soil. This can happen naturally, or…
Living on Bluffs – Appreciating the importance of bluffs
The shoreline of Puget Sound is rimmed by slopes and steep bluffs that range from five to several hundred feet high. Looking at the bluff…
Replacing Bulkheads with Natural Solutions
Alternatives to shoreline armoring, known as soft-shore protection, have been developed to help protect the shoreline. Soft-shore protection projects rebuild the upper beach area…
Recognizing How Bulkheads 
Change the Shoreline
Bulkheads, seawalls, and riprap are some of the words that describe man-made structures meant to hold back the erosion caused by waves, wind, and tides.…
Using Plants & Trees for Stability
There are times when property owners feel that a tree or several trees should be removed. Unless the tree is a hazard to your life…
Limiting the Risk of Erosion
To minimize the risks from erosion to your property: Establish or maintain a buffer zone between your yard and the water. Buffer zones are areas…
Understanding the Causes of Erosion
Erosion is the process in which soil and rock from one location are transported to another location where they are deposited. The main producers of…
Using Low Impact Development (LID) Methods
Good stormwater management not only prevents damage to property and people from flooding, but it also protects the quality of our water. Stormwater management is…