Explore the Maryland Shoreline Stabilization Mapper (MSSM)

The Maryland Shoreline Stabilization Mapper (MSSM) is an innovative tool created to help landowners, contractors, and environmental planners identify effective shoreline stabilization options tailored to specific locations within Maryland. As coastal regions face increased challenges from erosion, sea-level rise, and storms, preserving the health of Maryland’s shorelines is more critical than ever.

The MSSM equips users with interactive maps, data layers, and scientific recommendations to assess potential stabilization methods—ranging from natural solutions like living shorelines to more traditional approaches such as bulkheads. By promoting sustainable shoreline management, the MSSM supports both property protection and the preservation of ecosystems vital to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

This cutting-edge tool was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency State Wetland Program Development Grants awarded to the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Getting Started with MSSM

The mapper can be accessed directly through the button below, or through navigating the pages in the Wetlands and Waterways Protection Program on the MDE's website. A useful help guide is located in the MSSM under the "Getting Started" tab in the top left corner.

Finding your address

To search for a location you can use the magnifying glass in the top right corner of the screen. The search bar will start to auto populate known addresses when you begin typing in a location. If for some reason your address is not listed you can manually zoom to the location of interest either through the + or - buttons on the left of the screen or using the scroll button on your mouse. If using a location enabled device you can click the "crosshair" symbol in the top left of the screen to zoom to your current position.

Using the Layers

To access the layers select the leftmost symbol in the top right of the screen - this is highlighted in the first picture of "Getting Started with MSSM" above. The Shoreline Stability layers can be toggled on and off the map using the "Eye" symbol under the map layers pop up. A closed eye turns off the layers and an open eye turns them on.

The difference in the layers can be seen be dragging the arrow across the screen on the image below.

Well what do the colors mean?

The MSSM uses three colors to identify and make recommendations for different shoreline stability techniques.

Living Shoreline (Blue)

Installation of an approach that uses plants and sand, rock, oyster shell, or other natural materials to protect shoreline and to create, maintain, and enhance habitat may be appropriate where a structural shoreline stabilization measure is not present or is non-functional. 

Undetermined (Yellow)

In order to make an appropriate shore erosion control measure determination the property owner should coordinate a pre-application site visit with an MDE Project Manager assigned to the territory and complete a Living Shoreline Waiver request form.

Structural Stabilization Measure (Orange)

A predetermined decision by MDE that a person is not required to construct a living shoreline but can construct an erosion control measure that uses devices to armor and stabilize an area landward of the measure from further erosion. The measure may include the use of a bulkhead, revetment, groin, breakwater, jetty, sand, beach nourishment, and any other similar structure.    

How do I know what's best for my property?

The MSSM uses several data sources such as ariel imagery, fetch and LIDAR information to provide recommendations for shoreline stabilization. These recommendations should be used in conjunction with site visits and pre-application meetings with MDE to conclude the best possible solution for your property.

Protecting and Enhancing your Shoreline

The Department of the Environment has a number of resources available to help inform your shoreline project. This includes pre-application meetings, funding opportunities and incentives and permits and licensing guidance.