Project Report

2 projects matched your search:
Unique ID Number = 9

OR Unique ID Number = 10

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Phase I
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Phase II

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Phase I - Completed

1997 orthophotography available from the RIGIS Orthophoto Server. Click image for printable PDF.
Courtesy: R.I. Department of Transportation

Project Location:  Middletown

Project Map- Click to open the Restoration Atlas mapping application in a new window. (The map will automatically be zoomed in to this restoration site.) *Note: this application is best viewed using Internet Explorer.

Access Point(s):   Not documented for this site.

Public Use:  Beach; Path to Shore

Impacts:  The Greek Tanker World Prodigy ran aground on Brenton Reef, off Newport, RI, on June 3, 1989. Approximately 290,000 gallons of heating oil was discharged, and the spill spread over 123 square miles, closing beaches and fishing grounds throughout Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound. The spill occurred during the peak spawning time for many marine and estuarine fishery species. NOAA's DARP assesses and claims damages from responsible parties for injuries to natural resources. NOAA received $567,000 to be used to restore ecological goods and services throughout the Bay.

Project Size:  15 acres

Area Benefited:  45 acres

Restoration Description:  A portion of the World Prodigy damage settlement funds were used to restore tidal flushing to the 45-acre Sachuest salt marsh in Middletown. The restoration plan focused on restoring historic tidal flow patterns to the marsh system. Two new, larger culverts (30 inches in diameter) were installed in place of an existing 20-inch culvert under the existing road to increase tidal flushing into the marsh, and to provide enhanced drainage, especially during low tide. Upland fill was removed, new tidal creeks were created, and existing creeks were deepened and cleared of vegetation (e.g., Phragmites) to improve tidal flushing to interior portions of the marsh. Open Water Marsh Management (OWMM) techniques were included as a component of the overall restoration plan to control mosquito populations (RIPHP 1998). Prior to initiating the restoration work, baseline assessments were conducted to evaluate use of the marsh by fishery species. Hydrologic and topographic surveys were conducted.

Restoration Date:  3/1998

Target Species:   phragmites

Historic Conditions:  Historically, Sachuest marsh received tidal floodwaters from by a creek, which drained into the Sakonnet River. Road construction during the 1950's blocked the creek and restricted tidal flow into much of the marsh. Within a short time, the salt marsh was transformed into a poorly-drained brackish marsh. Additional construction, nearby military installation, and upland waste disposal led to further degradation in successive years. Phragmites colonized the disturbed marsh.

Project Contact:

james.g.turek@noaa.gov

Partners: Coastal Resources Management Council, DEM Mosquito Abatement Coordination Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Town of Middletown, URI Graduate School of Oceanography, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Geological Survey

Pre and Post Restoration Data: True, True

Monitoring:

Studies Conducted: Fish, inverts, vegetation, salinity, hydrology

Cost of Project:

Public Property Owners: Federal Government (National Wildlife Refuge)

Info Source: Not Documented for this site

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Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Phase II - Potential

1997 orthophotography available from the RIGIS Orthophoto Server. Click image for printable PDF.
Courtesy: R.I. Department of Transportation

Studies Conducted: Not documented for this site.

Cost of Project:

Public Property Owners: n/a

Info Source: Not Documented for this site

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