
The Engineering With Nature (EWN) Program is pleased to announce the release of a new book, Engineering With Nature: Natural Infrastructure for Mission Readiness at U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Installations (ERDC SR-25-1). This publication suggests practical solutions to address natural hazards at eight Navy and Marine Corps installations across the Southeastern U.S. and Hawai‘i, emphasizing mission readiness through the integration of natural infrastructure.
Natural Hazards Threaten Mission Readiness
Military installations face a range of natural hazards that can disrupt operations and compromise infrastructure. Coastal flooding and erosion are among the most significant risks, while stormwater flooding, drought, wildfire, and wind impacts from hurricanes also challenge readiness. This book outlines specific hazards affecting installations and offers actionable Engineering With Nature approaches to reduce risks and enhance resilience.
EWN’s Four Key Principles
The projects described in the report are guided by EWN’s four principles:
- Mission Assurance
Using science and engineering to produce operational efficiencies that support the sustainable delivery of resilient project benefits and the overall mission. - Using Natural Processes
Leveraging natural processes to their maximum benefit, reducing demands on limited resources, minimizing environmental footprints, and enhancing the quality of project outcomes. - Broadening Benefits
Increasing the value of capital projects by incorporating social, environmental, and economic benefits into their design and implementation. - Promoting Collaboration
Employing science-based collaborative processes to align stakeholders, interests, and partners around shared goals to ensure successful outcomes.
Solutions for Resilience
Projects described in the report highlight diverse natural infrastructure approaches to address specific hazards. Examples include:
- Coastal Erosion: Living shorelines, reefs, and marsh restoration reduce erosion and enhance habitats.
- Coastal Flooding and Sea Level Rise: Horizontal levees, enhanced dunes, native plant restoration and sediment placement adapt landscapes to changing conditions.
- Stormwater Flooding: pervious paving and erosion-control features reduce runoff and improve water quality.
- Drought: Groundwater recharge and innovative water resource management diversify water supplies.
- Wildfire: Vegetative buffers and invasive species management reduce wildfire risks.
- Extreme Heat: Shade vegetation and green roofs mitigate heat impacts on personnel and operations.
Integrating Natural and Engineered Systems
The publication provides detailed recommendations for eight Navy and Marine Corps installations, demonstrating how natural and engineered systems can work together to enhance resilience. Projects include sediment management strategies to adapt to sea-level rise, the restoration of coastal ecosystems to mitigate flood risks, and innovative water systems designed to address drought conditions. These examples illustrate the interconnected nature of natural and engineered approaches, emphasizing the value of integrated solutions for mission readiness and long-term sustainability.
Case Study: Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort
One highlighted effort is at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, where rising sea levels and increasing storm surges pose threats to critical infrastructure and operational effectiveness. To address these challenges, the installation has implemented a combination of natural and engineered approaches, including:
- Living Shorelines: Oyster reefs and marsh vegetation are being established to reduce wave energy and prevent shoreline erosion.
- Sediment Placement: Strategic use of sediment to raise marsh elevations ensures the system remains functional as sea levels rise.
- Coastal Habitat Restoration: Enhancing the surrounding ecosystem provides natural storm buffering while supporting biodiversity.
These solutions reduce the need for extensive hard infrastructure, such as seawalls, which can be costly to maintain and have limited ecological benefits. Instead, the integration of natural systems not only enhances resilience to flooding but also delivers environmental and social benefits, such as improved water quality and habitat creation.
Download the Report
Explore additional installations to see how mission assurance, operational efficiencies, and environmental benefits can align to support national defense objectives while fostering resilience in surrounding communities. These projects serve as models for other installations, showcasing the achievable benefits of integrating natural infrastructure.
The report is available for download at: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/49461