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Project Summary

Connecticut Coastal Embayments, CT

North East Regional Map


1. Project Identification

Name Connecticut Coastal Embayments
Region North East
State CT
Location Road corridor along the Connecticut coastline
Date of this update March 4, 1999

2. Problem(s) addressed (check one or more)

Habitat Restoration/Protection  
Wetlands X
River systems
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)  
Habitat Degradation   X

3. Project Description (100 words or less. Please include qualitative information, e.g. acres of habitat restored, miles of steam reopened to migration, and legislative authorization, e.g. WRDA, ISTEA, CWA/NEP, CZMA, etc.)

In 1991 the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requested a study be conducted by Coastal America to identify salt marshes that have been degraded as a result of tidal flow restrictions caused by transportation facilities, especially roads and railroads. An initial $100,000 study was conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers (COE) under Section 22 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1974 (PL-93-251) which authorizes the COE to cooperate with any state, at their request, in the preparation of cost shared, comprehensive plans for water resources development, utilization and conservation. Matching funds were provided through DEP?s Long Island Sound Research Fund which provides state funding for the restoration of degraded coves, embayments and tidal wetlands. The study was to determine the locations of wetlands lost due to roadway and railbed construction; which sites would most benefit by some form of tidal restoration; and to evaluate the relationship of transportation crossings to wetland degradation, particularly where the dominant species was the common reed (Phragmites australis), a highly invasive plant that dominates disturbed and tidally restricted areas and is less productive ecologically.
A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprised of the Coastal America partners including the COE, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Connecticut DEP and DOT, plus other wetland managers and scientists, was formed to select study sites and provide technical review. All degraded or degrading salt marshes between New Haven and the Connecticut-Rhode Island border were considered. The study specifically evaluated the effect of the transportation facilities on tidal flows, documented existing biological conditions and determined, through analysis of historic photographs and other data, the historic wetland conditions (i.e., salt marsh, brackish meadow marsh, and/or brackish reed marsh). Assessments also considered the potential impacts from increased tidal flow on adjacent land uses such as housing and commercial activities. The importance of the area as habitat for local wildlife was also considered, especially if the species were listed as endangered or threatened, or if there was potential for recruitment of new, desirable species under the anticipated new salinity regime.
From this initial assessment, ten wetland sites were selected for study and six were found to be experiencing degradation as a result of transportation related tidal flow restrictions. Using the results of the Coastal America study, Connecticut DEP applied for and received U.S. Department of Transportation Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) funding for the restoration of Sybil Creek and Mill Meadows salt marshes in 1994. The funding was channeled through the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT). CTDOT was instrumental in convincing the Federal Highway Administration that wetland restoration was an eligible enhancement activity (i.e., scenic beautification and stormwater mitigation categories) under ISTEA. This project represents the first commitment of ISTEA funding for salt marsh restoration in the United States. The Northeast RIT provided technical assistance at these degraded salt marsh sites. Additional funding was also provided from EPA?s National Estuary Program. It is anticipated that additional restoration projects will be implemented by the State of Connecticut?s Long Island Sound Program.
Subsequently, based upon these initial assessments, the Connecticut Congressional delegation drafted legislation to provide for a comprehensive examination of degraded coastal wetlands. Section 346 of WRDA 1992 authorized the COE to undertake a comprehensive examination of potential wetland restoration projects however, appropriations have not been sought to implement this provision. Additional federal implementation vehicles are being pursued for three additional complex wetland sites by the Northeast RIT.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list)

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Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

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8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

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9. Project Status

Initiation date  
Completion date  
Current stage Completed

10. Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments

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This page was last updated on Saturday, 24-Jun-2000 11:48:47 EDT
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