The Michigan Coastal Program is helping protect Great Lakes coastal communities from flooding and erosion.
The Lake Michigan beach at St. Joseph is making strides in shoreline protection by establishing a coastal setback.
The new initiative is the first of its kind in Michigan to protect homeowners and businesses from building in areas likely to flood or be destabilized by erosion.
The Great Lakes shoreline is naturally dynamic and changing, so continued care is needed to ensure the setback provides enough protection for homes, roads and businesses.
The plan also gets rid of seawall construction which can damage the protective natural functions of beaches.
The Michigan Coastal Program is now helping other Great Lakes communities with similar ideas.
