Project Summary

1. Project Identification

Name	Sagamore Salt Marsh Restoration
Region	North East
State	Massachusetts
Location	Scusset State Park
Date of this update

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

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

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 1990 the Cape Cod Commission identified from 300 to 500 acres of salt marsh in the Sagamore area as degraded due to significant fire damage caused by the presence of dense monotypic stands of the common reed Phragmites australis. In conjunction with restricted tidal flows, this salt marsh had significantly degraded ecologically and had become a breeding ground for mosquitos. The state requested that the COE, using its authority under Section 1135 of WRDA (1986), modify the Cape Cod Canal structure to increase tidal flushing of the area. The COE is providing 75% of the funding for this project in partnership with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, which is contributing the remaining 25% of the costs. The complex hydrology of the Sagamore salt marsh has increased the up-front planning costs. An analysis of the potential for introduction of saline waters into a fresh water aquifer, residential flooding, and interference with septic systems will require in depth evaluations prior to initiating the ecological restoration of this major salt marsh. NOAA, EPA, and the FWS are providing technical support activities and may provide some funding, which collectively will aid in the restoration of over 300 acres of salt marsh adjacent to Scusset Beach State Park.

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.)

• Federal

  Lead:	COE with state
  Others:	FWS- funding and technical support
  	NOAA- technical assistance
  	EPA- funding and technical support

• Non-Federal

  State government	MA- Executive Office of Environmental Affairs: lead w/Corps
  Local Government
  Private industry
  Public interest groups
  Educational Facility
  Other partnerships

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

• Cash

  Federal		$2,800
  Non Federal	State government	$933
  	Local government
  	Private industry
  	Public interest groups
  Total		$3,733

• In-Kind Services (hours, equipment, or other forms of assistance and estimated dollar value)

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• Volunteers (number of people and hours, and estimated dollar value)

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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	Underway

10. Contacts

• Project Manager

  Matt Walsh
  Project Manger
  Dept. of the Army Building
  113 North 424 Trapelo Rd.
  Waltham, MA 02254-9149
  (617)647-8647
  e-mail: mathew.t.walsh@ned01.usace.army.mil

• Participating Agency/Organization Contacts: (e.g. volunteer groups, conservation groups, state agencies, and other federal agency contacts)

11. Any additional information/comments

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