Living On The Edge

This is an older home, probably 1940ish, right at the edge of high marsh. The marsh in the photo is shown at high tide with a NE wind pushing it. The buildings are probably 2 to 3 feet above the marsh, built on a low hammock.

The rather arcane regs for building in and near marsh are observed both in the breach and in the letter, depending on the epoch and who you know that knows how to game the system.

I would guess the practical risks of living with extreme tides and storm surge would make life occasionally exciting. The environmental effects are complicated and not obvious. For example, the need for well water, unless supplied from inland pipe, can create salt stress on trees and plants. The need for sewage disposal can certainly pollute the marsh and make it less habitable for both plants and animal integral to the life cycle for all creatures, including humans—let alone the indirect effects to food supply, employment, insurance, etc.

The ownership and use of our precious marshlands are of course highly regulated. But development still creeps closer and closer, simply because of the inner circle of folks who know the system and how to push the envelope within it.