GWS2013 abstracts as of November 21, 2012 • Listed alphabetically by lead author / organizer Monitoring Ecological Changes Following Historic Waterfront Rehabilitation and Wetland Restoration at Saugus Iron Works NHS 5079 In 2008, Saugus Iron Works NHS (MA) completed a combined historic and ecological restoration. The project rehabilitated the culturally significant waterfront, recreated open-water in the historic turning basin, Paper and restored tidal mudflat and brackish wetlands along the Saugus River. The design included a comprehensive planning and environmental compliance strategy, and intensive pre- and post-restoration monitoring. Wetland vegetation, fish community, water quality, tidal regime, benthic invertebrates, and wildlife use will be monitored until 2018. The restored wetland is a low marsh-mud flat dominated by dwarf spikerush and frequented by foraging shorebirds. Fish transitioned from a freshwater to estuarine/brackish community dominated by killifish. Inundation by tidal estuarine water increased and water and sediment quality of the river improved. The restoration successfully removed invasive vegetation from the wetland and provided habitat for native wetland plants and shorebirds. The restoration and monitoring serve as a model for integrated historic and natural resource preservation. Value Project serves as a model for integrated historic and natural resource preservation. Outlines comprehensive proposition: planning and environmental compliance strategy involving multiple stakeholders. Keywords: Restoration, historical, wetland Lead author • session organizer • poster / demo / exhibit presenter: Marc Albert Integrated Resource Program Manager, Boston Harbor Islands NRA, Saugus National Park Service, Boston Harbor Islands NRA, Saugus Iron Works NHS,
[email protected] Names of additional authors / panelists / presenters (if any): M.J. James-Pirri, Marine Research Associate, Graduate School of Oceanography University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI C.