Shoreline Stabilization System and Method

Abstract

A shoreline stabilization system and method are provided, comprising one or more base layers of a non-woven plastic matrix positioned on a shoreline, wherein the base layer is at least partially submerged in the water. A second layer of non-woven plastic matrix positioned on top of the base layer, wherein the second layer is at least partially submerged in the water, and wherein the second layer is pre-planted with one or more selected plants such as smooth cord grass ( Spartina alterniflora ), seashore paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum ), torpedo grass ( Panicum repens ), and/or bull rush (genus Scirpus ). Other selected plants are inserted into holes in the base layer such as bunchgrass, tussock, and/or sunshine vetivergrass ( Chrysopgon zizanioides ). The base layer and the second layer are anchored to the shoreline by a plurality of anchors sufficient to cause the base layer to conform to the shoreline. The assembled system provides protection from wave energies, while allowing for plant and root growth to further reinforce the shoreline.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoreline stabilization system, comprising:
 one or more base layers of a non-woven plastic matrix positioned on a shoreline, wherein the base layer is at least partially submerged in the water;   a second layer of non-woven plastic matrix positioned on top of the base layer, wherein the second layer is at least partially submerged in the water, wherein the second layer is pre-planted with one or more selected plants, and wherein the selected plants in the second layer have rooting and propagation characteristics sufficient to establish growth of the selected plants into the base layer and toward the water;   wherein the base layer includes selected plants inserted through holes formed into the base layer, wherein the selected plants in the base layer have rooting and propagation characteristics sufficient to establish a natural anchor for the base layer into the shoreline; and   wherein the base layer and the second layer are anchored to the shoreline by a plurality of anchors sufficient to cause the base layer to conform to the shoreline.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the non-woven plastic matrix is a recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plastic matrix includes no phenol-formaldehyde resins. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the selected plants in the second layer are selected from the group consisting of smooth cord grass ( Spartina alterniflora ), seashore paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum ), torpedo grass ( Panicum repens ), bull rush (genus  Scirpus ), and their variants having equivalent rooting and propagation characteristics. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the seashore paspalum or torpedo grass are positioned on the second layer above a mean tide level. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the smooth cord grass or bull rush are positioned on the second layer below a mean tide level. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the selected plants inserted into the base layer are selected from the group consisting of bunchgrass, tussock, sunshine vetivergrass ( Chrysopgon zizanioides ), and their variants having equivalent rooting and propagation characteristics. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer includes two layers of the plastic matrix, wherein the layers are positioned in at least a partially overlapping position. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer includes three layers of the plastic matrix, wherein the layers are positioned in at least a partially overlapping position. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the layers are positioned progressively toward the water such that a portion of each of the layers is in contact with and caused to conform to the shoreline. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the selected plants in the base layer are inserted only on the layer farthest from the waterline. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the shoreline is shaped and graded to a predetermined condition prior to installation of the base layer. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer is about 8-12 feet wide in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shoreline, and is positioned on the shoreline in strips 30-100 feet long in a direction substantially parallel to the shoreline. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is about 24-36 inches wide in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shoreline, and is positioned on the base layer in strips 10-20 feet long in a direction substantially parallel to the shoreline. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchors comprise an anchor plate having a plurality of holes formed therein, and an elongated reinforcement bar staple inserted through the anchor plate and driven into the shoreline. 
     
     
         16 . A method of stabilizing a shoreline, comprising:
 positioning one or more base layers of a non-woven plastic matrix positioned on a shoreline, wherein the base layer is at least partially submerged in the water;   positioning a second layer of non-woven plastic matrix positioned on top of the base layer, wherein the second layer is at least partially submerged in the water, wherein the second layer is pre-planted with one or more selected plants, and wherein the selected plants in the second layer have rooting and propagation characteristics sufficient to establish growth of the selected plants into the base layer and toward the water;   inserting selected plants into holes formed through the base layer to form a hedgerow, wherein the selected plants in the base layer have rooting and propagation characteristics sufficient to establish a natural anchor for the base layer into the shoreline; and   anchoring the base layer and the second layer to the shoreline by a plurality of anchors sufficient to cause the base layer to conform to the shoreline.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the non-woven plastic matrix is a recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plastic matrix includes no phenol-formaldehyde resins. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the selected plants in the second layer are selected from the group consisting of smooth cord grass ( Spartina alterniflora ), seashore paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum ), torpedo grass ( Panicum repens ), bull rush (genus  Scirpus ), and their variants having equivalent rooting and propagation characteristics. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the seashore paspalum or torpedo grass are positioned on the second layer above a mean tide level. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the smooth cord grass or bull rush are positioned on the second layer below a mean tide level. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the selected plants inserted into the base layer are selected from the group consisting of bunchgrass, tussock, sunshine vetivergrass ( Chrysopgon zizanioides ), and their variants having equivalent rooting and propagation characteristics. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the base layer includes two layers of the plastic matrix, wherein the layers are positioned in at least a partially overlapping position. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the base layer includes three layers of the plastic matrix, wherein the layers are positioned in at least a partially overlapping position. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the layers are positioned progressively toward the water such that a portion of each of the layers is in contact with and caused to conform to the shoreline. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the selected plants in the base layer are inserted only on the layer farthest from the waterline. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising shaping and grading the shoreline to a predetermined condition prior to installation of the base layer. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the base layer is about 8-12 feet wide in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shoreline, and is positioned on the shoreline in strips 30-100 feet long in a direction substantially parallel to the shoreline. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second layer is about 24-36 inches wide in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shoreline, and is positioned on the base layer in strips 10-20 feet long in a direction substantially parallel to the shoreline. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the anchors comprise an anchor plate having a plurality of holes formed therein, and an elongated reinforcement bar staple inserted through the anchor plate and driven into the shoreline.