Sep 222 min read

We need your input.

Updated: Sep 24

Our last meeting covered the discussion of the long-term maintenance options for our bluff. Liam DeLowery from SCC Excavating, a local company, came to explain to us what our options are.

Three types of erosion can cause damage to our bluff:

o Wind

o Rain

o Storm surge or rough high tides

The challenge for us is that although we have an amazing beach and stretch of property deeded to us, we have never had a structure at the top of the bluff and thus we have restrictions on how to protect our bluff.

Liam discussed two options that the Town of Plymouth and the Commonwealth have approved for a bluff like ours:

#1 Natural grass plantings (Our current solution)

Replenishing the bluff with sand and native plantings. This protects us from wind and rain erosion and some minor storm surges. This is the more economical method, however, it will not hold up during large weather events.

April 2023 we added sand around the stairs and sprayed a fiber bond agent of seeds along the entire bluff for $8,500. If the bluff needs repair after a storm it will cost between $2,000-$5,000, depending on how much sand needs to be replaced.

#2 A cobblestone berm

A berm at the base of our bluff would consist of a pile of 2-foot cobblestones covered by medium-course sand. We would be protected from all three forms of erosion including major weather events and rarely need repair.

Creating a berm the entire length of our 200-foot bluff it would cost us between $120,000 – $145,000 (roughly $400–$700 per foot)

In the unlikely event we need the berm repaired, the cost will range from $500–$10,000 depending on the size and type of the damage. Rock and sand would be added only in areas needed. With every repair, the berm becomes more stable. Liam stated that many of his berms have yet to be repaired.

See the photographs supplied by SCC of the current berms they are constructing in the Plymouth area. Also included are engineering drawings with detail of what a berm is.