FIND ; Determine the likelihood of successful stabilization with salt marsh 

 vegetation at this site using the vegetative stabilization site evaluation 

 form (Fig. 2). 



SOLUTION : The cumulative score for this site is 87 + 89 + 62 + 84 = 322, 

 which indicates that successful stabilization at this site is nearly 

 certain. 



2. Selecting plant species: 



GIVEN : Property is on the Atlantic coast. 



FIND : Determine the appropriate species to plant in this region. 



SOLUTION: Smooth cordgrass would be the proper plant to use in this area (see 

 Sec. IV, 1). 



3. Preparing the site: 



GIVEN : The property owner estimates that the wetted part of the intertidal 

 zone (mean high water to mean low water) is about 30 feet (9 meters) wide. 

 Tidal range on the river is about 1.5 feet. About one-half of the shoreline 

 is shaded by trees. 



FIND : What site preparation is needed at this site? 



SOLUTION: Smooth cordgrass grows throughout the intertidal zone in areas 

 where tidal range is less than 6 feet (Sec. IV, 2). Therefore, the entire 

 wetted part of the intertidal zone (30 feet) can be planted. Because this 

 exceeds the minimum width for erosion control plantings (20 feet), no 

 shoreline sloping or backfilling will be necessary. However, the trees 

 shading the shoreline will have to be cleared for a distance of 10 to 15 

 feet landward of mean high water (Sec. IV, 2). 



4. Planting specifications: 



GIVEN : There are several natural stands of cordgrass near the site, and there 

 is a 30-foot-wide shoreline available for planting. 



FIND: 



Determine the width and overall area of the planting, the type of 

 transplant that will be used, plant spacing, and the method of planting. 



SOLUTION : It is recommended for smooth cordgrass (Sec. IV, 4) that the entire 

 available planting zone be planted when practicable. Therefore, the 

 planting width should be 30 feet, and the area of the planting is 30 feet by 

 300 feet or 9,000 square feet. Sprigs are the lowest cost type of 

 transplant and are available from natural stands near the site. Hand 

 planting would be favored on this site because the area of the site is less 

 than 1 acre (43,560 square feet) and there is a possibility of encountering 

 tree roots during planting. 



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