Coastal Wetland Adaptation Strategies

SLAMM Municipal Workshops October 28th and 30th, 2014

Caitlin Chaffee Wenley Ferguson

Adaptation Strategies • Upland

– Adopt activities that facilitate marsh migration – Change/move land use activities that inhibit marsh

migration – Remove physical barriers

• In-Marsh – Drainage improvements (small creek excavation) – Elevation enhancement – Erosion control along marsh edge

Winnapaug Pond Marsh, Westerly Marsh migration occurring yet impounded water creating mosquito breeding habitat

Palmer River Marsh, Barrington

Round Marsh, Jamestown

Old farm path impediment to marsh migration into red maple swamp

Marsh migrating into field

Bike path in marsh area

Colt State Park, Bristol

Mowed marsh area

1995

Colt State Park, Bristol

Marsh after path moved

1996: marsh mowed

Bike path relocated in late 1990s and “mow line” moved inland

1

2

Opportunity to move mow line inland to allow wetland forming behind beach to migrate inland

Seapowet Point, Tiverton

1

2

Allins Cove, Barrington

Marsh restoration area

Eroded bank at base of Byway Rd

Coir envelope installation

Stillhouse Cove, Cranston

Mill Cove Road, Warwick

Mill Cove Road, Warwick

Clark Road, Kickemuit River, Warren

Marsh at end of road

Road removal area

Clark Road, Warren

Clark Road, Warren

Kickemuit Avenue, Bristol

Kickemuit Ave., Bristol

Atlantic Ave., Westerly, Winnapaug Pond

Proposed sediment forebay, filter strip and check dams

Barrington Community Garden

Marsh migration occurring

Jamiel Park, Warren

Tidal creek under Market St

Potential area for marsh migration if vehicular access changed to Wood Street

Kickemuit River adaptation opportunities

Kickemuit Reservoir Dam: vulnerable to storm surge; future site for marsh migration

1

Potential area to limit vehicular access

2

Edgewater Drive, Apponaug Cove, Warwick

Flooding during a moon tide

1

Ponded water at low tide

2

Coldwell Street, Warwick

Land protection of small lots required for low lying road to be closed to vehicle access

In marsh adaptation • Small creeks and runnels excavation

– Partners include: municipalities, land trusts, Save The Bay and RIDEM Mosquito Abatement Program

– STB provides project design development, permit preparation, organization of volunteers for “dig days”, and restoration monitoring

– RIDEM provides low ground pressure equipment and operator if necessary

– CRMC Habitat Fund and NRCS has provided funding – Projects range from $5,000 to $15,000

Gooseneck Cove adaptive management

Small creeks dug to drain impounded water

2010

2012

2007

Round Marsh, Jamestown

Round Marsh, Jamestown

2012

Winnapaug Marsh adaptation project

Thank You