with American beachgrass (Ammophi-la bveviligulatd) will seldom require 

 widening to achieve the 100-foot-minimum base width, 



c. Building Dunes on Barren Backshores . Foredune restoration is 

 most likely to succeed when the new dune coincides with the natural veg- 

 etation line or foredune line. The initial planting should be a strip 50 

 feet wide, parallel to the shore, and 50 feet landward of this line. If 

 a natural vegetation or foredune line is not evident, restoration should 

 begin at least 250 to 300 feet (76 to 91 meters) inland from the high 

 water line. Where beach recession is occurring, the dune location should be 

 determined from the average erosion rate and the desired dune life. Another 

 50-foot-wide strip may be added immediately seaward 4 to 5 years later if a 

 base of 100 feet has not been achieved by natural vegetative spread. 



111. PLANT SELECTION 



The grasses recommended for dune stabilization are: 



(a) American beachgrass {Ammophila breviligulatd) in 



Maine south to northern North Carolina, the Great Lakes, Oregon,. 

 Washington, and California; 



(b) European beachgrass {Airmophila arenavid) in Oregon, 

 Washington, and California; 



(c) Sea oats (Uniola panioulata) from North Carolina south 

 to Florida and west to Mexico; and 



(d) Bitter panicum {Paniomn canarim) from New Jersey south 

 to Florida and west to Mexico. 



From this list, grass or grasses recommended for a geographical area 

 can be selected. If two species are recommended, plant both. Mixed 

 plantings are more resistant to insect damage and disease. 



IV. OBTAINING PLANT MATERIALS 



Beach grasses may be harvested from natural stands, propagated in a 

 field nursery, or obtained from commercial growers. These sources are 

 equally suitable for planting success. Appendix B provides a guide for 

 identifying beach grasses in the field. 



1. Wild Harvest . 



Plants may be obtained from natural stands. However, State laws 

 should be checked. It is illegal in some States to harvest sea oats. 

 Care must be taken to assure that natural dunes are not damaged by har- 

 vesting. Plants should not be taken from foredunes or in other areas 

 where erosion is a potential problem. In general, harvesting can be 

 safely conducted only in protected areas behind the first dune line. 

 Beach grasses thrive where sand moves. In protected areas where sand 



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