national oceanic and atmospheric ADMINISTRATION awards grant to save the sound projects
Connecticut Fund for the Environment and Save the Sound were thrilled to receive news in July 2009 that two of our salt marsh restoration projects would get a big funding boost from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) portion of the federal stimulus package. NOAA is awarding $1.5 million through their Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Grants to the West River tidal gate replacement in New Haven and the Bride Brook culvert replacement at Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme. These projects will have an enormous environmental impact through the restoration of marshland that is home to bird and fish species critical to the Long Island Sound ecosystem, and will enhance the eight billion dollar Sound economy by providing better water quality for the traditional industries reliant upon it.
"This is incredible news for Connecticut," said Chris Cryder, Director of Habitat Restoration for Save the Sound. "These restoration projects will greatly improve the marshland habitat that feeds the Long Island Sound ecosystem - they will improve our landscape and quality of life, create area jobs and help restore Long Island Sound to a healthy and thriving resource for generations to come."
The two projects are expected to create and retain more than 80 jobs primarily in construction, engineering, surveying and labor. Save the Sound's $1.5 million grant award was part of $4 million that came into the state through the NOAA Recovery Act funds. The second project, coordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection, will restore 32 miles of the Naugatuck River.
West River, New Haven
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West River tide gate badly in need of replacement
The West River tide gate project is underway. Originally built to protect upstream infrastructure from flooding, these outdated and degrading colonial-era tide gates now protect Memorial Park for the many residents and park visitors. West River's gates allow water flow in only one direction which creates marsh stagnation, a thriving habitat for invasive grasses, and poor quality water that cannot readily sustain marine life. The NOAA grant will allow construction workers and scientists to replace the existing gates with self-regulating tide gates that will allow water from Long Island Sound to flush the marsh, freshening the habitat, restoring the original ecosystem balance, and allowing fish easier passage to breeding grounds.
Bride brook, rocky neck state park, east lyme
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Bride Brook stagnant marshland in need of restoration
Despite its small size, Bride Brook actually hosts the second largest migration fish run in the state, bested only by the Connecticut River. The Bride Brook project will restore a salt marsh system and spawning ground for alewives and herring by replacing a collapsing and occluded culvert with an open channel and large box culvert that is more hospitable to fish and marsh wildlife. The Bride Brook project is of a larger scope than the West River project- in addition to the culvert replacement, over 20 acres of dune habitat will be replanted with native vegetation, and a new pedestrian and emergency vehicle passage will allow access to the eastern part of the park. Dune grass planting is scheduled to begin September 2009.
Click here for video on our Bride Brook project.
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