Wetland, Salt Marsh and Shoreline Restoration

Reed

Ecological restoration projects encourage the reestablishment of natural shoreline, dune, coastal bank, wetland, salt marsh, and buffer zones that have been lost or damaged due to natural forces or human activities.  NETCO has completed several projects in sensitive wetland and salt marsh environments where we have applied our expertise in the use of biodegradable materials, plant relocation, bank and dune stabilization, and natural wetland/salt marsh plantings.  We work with permitting and other wetland … [Read more...]

Fencing

beach-fence

Different types of fencing have evolved over the years to help protect and encourage accretion of sand on coastal beaches and dunes.  The type of fencing product used depends on the wave environment.  In very low or no wave environments, the wood-slat sand fence, in some locales also known as snow fence, is a low cost method of encouraging wind blown sand accretion.  In low to medium intensity wave zones, the sand drift fence is used to encourage wind blown sand accretion, as well as sand accretion/wave energy … [Read more...]

Boardwalks, Bridges, Stairs, Walkways

Hearst Stairs

A necessary element in many shoreline, coastal bank, wetland, and salt marsh areas, are walkway and bridge structures. NETCO fabricates and installs boardwalks of all types and sizes, pedestrian bridge structures, coastal stair structures, and wetland/salt marsh walkways. We use non-intrusive installation methods, including helical anchors, to preserve and protect existing wetlands and vegetation, and we employ both natural and synthetic building materials as each project may require. We will design, fabricate, and … [Read more...]

Helical Earth Anchors

Helical Anchor Install

Helical anchors, or helical screw anchors, were originally developed in the mid 1800’s as foundations for lighthouse structures. Since that original application,the use of helical earth anchors has greatly expanded as a foundation method to both resist uplift and to support bearing loads. NETCO uses helical anchors as a tie-down/tie-back anchoring method to hold in place gabion baskets, mattresses, and the NETCO proprietary coir envelope system in high wave energy environments. In addition, NETCO employs helical … [Read more...]

Beach Nourishment

Crawler-Carrier

A long used technique in many locations, beach nourishment is the placement of locally compatible sand materials to restore a beach to its original profile which, in most cases, has experienced extensive erosion losses.  NETCO maintains a fleet of tracked crawler carriers, dozers, and excavation and dredge equipment to mine the sand at the supply point as well as to deliver and place the sand to the design contours of the beach. NETCO works with the client, the coastal engineer or geologist, the permitting … [Read more...]

Reinforced Earth Structures

White Cliffs 2

The emergence of geo-synthetic fabric industry has resulted in the ability of engineers and contractors to design and construct reinforced earth structures (a.k.a. mechanically stabilized earth structures/MSE structures) using fabrics.  Reinforced earth or MSE structures have a long history of use for new construction as well as the repair of failed earthen embankments.   NETCO specializes in the construction of such reinforced earth structures in coastal bank environments.  We work with the client, the … [Read more...]

Coastal Bank, Dune and Shoreline Stabilization

Fencing

A number of options exist for protection of ocean as well as inland marine shoreline, dune and coastal bank resource areas.  The first category of measures are the use of various types of rock structures including rock revetments, rock walls, rock groins, “T” groins, rock breakwaters, and rock gabion baskets and mattresses.  These measures are called “hard” engineering solutions and represent the traditional approach to shoreline and coastal bank protection.  Rock structures, along with sheet pile walls … [Read more...]