Return the Tides Resource Book 1-1 Tidal Marsh Formation 1-2
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Return the Tides Resource Book World Wide Web Version CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION by Erno R. Bonebakker, Portland ME with contributions by Peter Shelley, CLF, Rockland ME Kim Spectre, CLF, Rockland ME CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This resource book was developed during the Casco Bay “Return the Tides” pilot project in the summer of 1999. In large part, it is an adaptation and development of the marsh assessment manual developed by Rob Bryan of Maine Audubon and Michele Dionne of Wells NERR1 and the methods developed by the Parker River Clean Water Association in Newburyport, MA.2 Particular credit is due to Rob Bryan of Maine Audubon Society and Dr. Michele Dionne of the Wells Reserve for their guidance in the preparation of this manual. Rob’s unfailing support and advice has been a particular help. David Mountain and Tim Purinton of the Parker River Clean Water Association in Newburyport, MA were also critical in compiling their field methods handbook describing a simple way to develop and record useful inventory information using volunteers.. In addition, this book is the product of the thoughts and vision of a number of people who have dedicated themselves to estuaries: the science of estuary systems, the education of the public about the wonders of these systems, and the protection and restoration of these special places. They were completely generous in allowing us to borrow shamelessly from their writings and thinking and this effort in Maine would not have been possible without their gracious support. To that end, we would like to thank the following individuals and commend our readers to their efforts directly. Contact information is in the appendix. Alan Amman, Ph.D., NRCS, New Hampshire Beverly Bailey-Smith, Casco Bay Estuary Project Stephanie Cox, Maine Audubon Society Mark Des Meules, State Planning Office Katherine Groves, Casco Bay Estuary Project Elizabeth Hertz, State Planning Office Eric Hutchins, NMFS, Gloucester Steven Luttrell, Greater Portland Council of Governments Betty MacInnes, Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District Peter Milholland, Friends of Casco Bay Hilary Neckles, Ph.D., USGS, Augusta Joe Payne, Casco Baykeeper Ron Rozsa, CT DEP, Office of Long Island Sound Programs Of course, this project would not have seen the light of day without our generous financial supporters. The Maine Outdoor Heritage fund, the Maine Community Foundation, and the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation had the vision to recognize the importance of tidal marshes to Maine. We thank them. For assistance in preparation of this resource book: Laura McDill provided timelyu and invaluable help in editing the text. Victoria Bonebakker not only patiently accepted the author’s distraction while compiling the book but also read the text and vastly improved it with her editorial suggestions. TransitID, of Portland, Maine, especially David Addison and Larry Burningham were incredibly generous with their time in preparing the book for posting on the World Wide Web. Any errors are ours alone, not any of those who helped us. 1 Robert R. Bryan, Michelle(sic) Dionne, Ph.D., et al. , Maine Citizens Guide to evaluating, Restoring and Managing Tidal Marshes. 2 Purinton, Timothy A. and David C. Mountain, Ph.D. Tidal Crossing Handbook, A Volunteer Guide to Assessing Tidal Restrictions. ii Finally, nothing would have gotten done without the following volunteers who helped us collect information on tidal restrictions in Casco Bay. THANK YOU Samantha Barrett, Portland; Jim Burke, Harpswell; Deborah Cowperthwaite, Harpswell; Stephanie Cox, Falmouth; Art Dodge Harpswell, Reen Gavin, Brunswick, George Hyde, Cumberland, John Mackinnon, Yarmouth, Lisa MacVane, Gorham, Meaghan Murphy, Portland, Peter Milholland, South Portland, Diane Nicholls, Portland, Ann Perry, Brunswick, John Porensky, Falmouth; Paul Porensky, Falmouth, Walter Phillips, Harpswell; Lin Maria Riotto, Bath; Laura Vitale, Freeport, Bob Waddle, Harpswell; Stella Walsh-Wainer, Yarmouth, Tracy Webber, Portland Any others, whom we have inadvertently omitted, know who you are and have our thanks as well. iii Return the Tides Resource Handbook Table of Contents iii PREFACE P-1 INTRODUCTION: WHERE THE LAND MEETS THE SEA I-1 Killing the Golden Cod !-2 Returning Our Coasts I-2 Offering a Solution I-3 SECTION 1: A PRIMER ON MAINE TIDAL WETLANDS 1-1 Definition of Tidal Wetlands as used in the Return the Tides Resource Book 1-1 Tidal Marsh Formation 1-2 A Note About Tides 1-3 Important Tidal Marsh Habitats 1-5 Classification of Tidal Marsh Systems 1-6 Distribution of Tidal Marshes on the Maine Coast 1-7 Ecological Functions and Societal Values of Tidal Marshes 1-9 Ecological Functions of Tidal Marsh 1-9 Societal Values of Tidal Marshes 1-11 Threats to Tidal Marshes 1-12 SECTION 2: MASTERING THE LINGO -- RESTORATION TERMS AND TECHNIQUES 2-1 Restoration Terms 2-2 Tidal Marsh Disturbance and Post Disturbance Conditions 2-4 Human Marsh Disturbances 2-4 Natural disturbances 2-7 Post Disturbance Conditions 2-7 Restoration Strategies 2-9 Conclusion 2-10 iv SECTION 3: PHASE III -- MAKING RESTORATION HAPPEN A Restoration Project Is A Campaign 3-1 Develop a good business plan for your project 3-1 Identify and enroll strategic partners 3-2 Complete a site-specific restoration feasibility analysis 3-6 Build public awareness and enthusiasm 3-7 Permitting and regulatory requirements 3-8 The State Permit 3-9 The Federal Permit 3-10 Supervising the restoration project 3-10 Conducting post-project monitoring 3-11 The Good News/Bad News About Your Salt Marsh Campaign 3-11 SECTION 4: TIDAL WETLANDS ARE PART OF A LARGER LANDSCAPE 4-1 SECTION 5 OVERVIEW OF RETURN THE TIDES METHODOLOGY 5-1 Details of the Methodology 5-2 Preliminary Phase 5-2 Phase I 5-2 Phase II 5-3 Phase II Follow up 5-4 SECTION 6: CONCLUSION 6-1 List of Figures v List of Appendices vi v List of Figures Figure 1- Coastal marsh types (after Mitsch & Gosselink, 1993) 1-2 Figure 2- Tidal Marsh Development (after Dreyer & Niering, 1995) 1-2 Figure 3 - Growth of Wells Marshes (after Kelley et al., 1995) 1-3 Figure 4- Spring And Neap Tide Forces (adapted from, NOAA, 1999) 1-4 Figure 5- Spring and Neap Tide Curves 1-4 Figure 6- Tide Levels and Datums (adapted from HO chart No. 1) 1-4 Figure 7- Marsh Plant Communities and Zonation (after Tiner, 1987) 1-5 Figure 8- Marsh Geomorphology (after Bryan & Dionne, 1997) 1-6 Figure 9- Maine Coastal Marsh Distribution (after Bryan & Dionne, 1997) 1-9 Figure 10- Maine Marsh Bird List 1-10 Figure 11- Marsh and Estuary Food Pathways (after Dreyer & Niering, 1995) 1-10 Figure 12- Self regulating Tide Gate (after Dreyer & Niering, 1995) 2-5 Figure 13-Preliminary Listing Form 5-3 Figure 14- Sample Data Sheet (Phase I) 5-3 Figure 15- Sample Phase II Tidal Curve 5-4 vi List of Appendices A Glossary B References C Sources of Information D NWI (National Wetlands Inventory) Wetland Classification System E Coastal Wetland Types F Maine Coastal Marine Geologic Environments and Habitats G Plant identification, naming (taxonomy), Lists of Maine Marsh Plants H Preliminary Phase Listing Form, Instructions and Coding I Phase I data sheet, Part 1 and instructions J Phase I data sheet, Part 2 and instructions K Phase II data sheet and instructions L Analysis of Phase II data 11/13/2000 vii PREFACE This resource book grew out of the Conservation Law Foundation (CFL) participation in a national initiative to restore America’s estuaries and CLF’’s regional marine resources project to preserve and restore marine and estuarine resources in the Gulf of Maine. At the national level, the work has produced a guide to all the possible federal sources of funding. It has introduced new federal legislation that is close to passage in Congress as of ….1 The legislation will help integrate and coordinate the work of the various federal agencies concerned with estuary restoration. It will provide significant funding to local groups around the country that are undertaking estuary restoration projects. In New England, in collaboration with the Island Institute (II) and the Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB), CLF published Rim of the Gulf: Restoring Estuaries in the Gulf of Maine. It details the extensive losses of estuary resources throughout the Gulf of Maine. CLF is, also engaged in a restoration project with the Chelsea Human Services Collaborative in Chelsea, Massachusetts. This initial survey demonstrated the pervasive adverse human impacts in the coastal zone and convinced us that the restoration of degraded habitats is as important as preservation of the remaining estuarine and marine habitats. Of all the threats faced by vegetated tidal marshes, the most common is the loss of tidal flows. Unlike other wetlands, tidal marshes can exist only in the narrow zone along the shore that is within the range of the tide. Without tidal exchange, a tidal marsh becomes a freshwater wetland (such as Sherman Lake in Newcastle) and the marsh’s unique ecological contributions are lost. Thus, free tidal exchange is essential to the existence of tidal marshes2 Although Maine has more tidal marsh area than any state north of New Jersey and more than any state or province in the Gulf of Maine, Maine (with notable exceptions in southern Maine’s large barrier marshes) knows less about its 1 Restore Americas Estuaries (RAE) Funding for Habitat Restoration Projects, A citizen’s guide, The Estuary Habitat Restoration Partnership Act, S.835 and H.R. 1775. For more details, see the RAE website: www.estuaries.org 2 Even when assured of tidal exchange, the tidal marsh is by no means home free: filling, dredging, pollution, encroaching development and other threats can also affect its vitality. P- 1 tidal marshes than the other New England states.