LONG ISLAND SOUND HABITAT RESTORATION INITIATIVE Technical Support for Coastal Habitat Restoration FEBRUARY 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ....................................................................i GUIDING PRINCIPLES.................................................................................. ii PROJECT BOUNDARY.................................................................................. iv SITE IDENTIFICATION AND RANKING........................................................... iv LITERATURE CITED ..................................................................................... vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................... vi APPENDIX I-A: RANKING CRITERIA .....................................................................I-A-1 SECTION 1: TIDAL WETLANDS ................................................1-1 DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................. 1-1 Salt Marshes ....................................................................................................1-1 Brackish Marshes .............................................................................................1-3 Tidal Fresh Marshes .........................................................................................1-4 VALUES AND FUNCTIONS ........................................................................... 1-4 STATUS AND TRENDS ................................................................................. 1-7 DEGRADED MARSHES AND RESTORATION METHODS ................................... 1-9 Grid-Ditched Marshes.......................................................................................1-10 Drained Marshes..............................................................................................1-11 Impounded Marshes ........................................................................................1-14 Filled/Buried Marshes.......................................................................................1-14 Brackish Marshes Invaded by Common Reed ....................................................1-16 Stormwater Impacted Marshes .........................................................................1-18 Marshes Impacted by Sea Level Rise…………………………………………………… ..1-19 SPECIFIC RESTORATION OBJECTIVES ........................................................... 1-19 Restore Habitat For Federal and State Protected Species...................................1-20 Restore Biological Productivity and Biodiversity................................................1-20 Reduce Common Reed Coverage......................................................................1-20 Eliminate Fire Hazards .....................................................................................1-20 Restore Water Quality Renovation Functions....................................................1-20 Eliminate Nonpoint Source Pollution ................................................................1-21 RESTORATION SUCCESS AND MONITORING................................................. 1-21 LITERATURE CITED ..................................................................................... 1-23 SECTION 2: FRESHWATER WETLANDS ....................................2-1 DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................. 2-1 Palustrine Wetlands .........................................................................................2-2 Riverine Wetlands............................................................................................2-6 VALUES AND FUNCTIONS ........................................................................... 2-7 STATUS AND TRENDS ................................................................................. 2-9 DEGRADED WETLANDS AND RESTORATION METHODS ................................ 2-11 Drained Marshes..............................................................................................2-12 HABITAT RESTORATION TECHNICAL MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS Filled Marshes ................................................................................................. 2-13 Impoundments................................................................................................ 2-13 Exotic Species Invasion.................................................................................... 2-13 Chemical Contamination ................................................................................. 2-14 SPECIFIC RESTORATION OBJECTIVES............................................................ 2-15 RESTORATION SUCCESS AND MONITORING ................................................. 2-16 LITERATURE CITED...................................................................................... 2-18 SECTION 3: SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION .................... 3-1 DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................. 3-1 Eelgrass .......................................................................................................... 3-2 VALUES AND FUNCTIONS............................................................................ 3-3 STATUS AND TRENDS .................................................................................. 3-4 Pre-1931 ......................................................................................................... 3-4 1931 - 1995 .................................................................................................... 3-5 Present Day Distribution.................................................................................. 3-7 Regulations Protecting SAVs............................................................................ 3-8 DEGRADED EELGRASS BEDS AND RESTORATION METHODS .......................... 3-8 Beds Impacted By Impaired Water Quality....................................................... 3-8 Beds Impacted By Fishing- and Vessel-Related Activity ..................................... 3-14 Waterfowl and Storm-Related Damage to Beds................................................ 3-14 Beds Impacted By Shoreline Erosion Control Structures.................................... 3-15 Shading of Beds .............................................................................................. 3-15 Beds Impacted by Dredge Activities ................................................................. 3-15 Beds Impacted by Fill ...................................................................................... 3-16 SPECIFIC RESTORATION OBJECTIVES............................................................ 3-16 Improve Fish and Wildlife Habitat ................................................................... 3-16 Maintain/Improve Water Quality ..................................................................... 3-17 Increase Erosion Control and Sediment Stabilization ........................................ 3-17 RESTORATION SUCCESS AND MONITORING ................................................. 3-17 LITERATURE CITED...................................................................................... 3-18 APPENDIX 3-A: HISTORICAL (PRIOR TO 1931) EELGRASS DISTRIBUTION......... 3-A-1 APPENDIX 3-B: EELGRASS LOCATIONS 1931-1992 ........................................ 3-B-1 APPENDIX 3-C: GRAPHS OF WATER QUALITY DATA FOR FIVE OFFSHORE SAMPLING STATIONS .......................................... 3-C-1 SECTION 4: COASTAL GRASSLANDS ........................................ 4-1 DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................. 4-1 Maritime Grasses ............................................................................................. 4-1 Sand Plains ..................................................................................................... 4-1 Hempstead Plains............................................................................................ 4-2 Old Field Grasslands........................................................................................ 4-3 VALUES AND FUNCTIONS............................................................................ 4-3 STATUS AND TRENDS .................................................................................. 4-4 LONG ISLAND SOUND STUDY TABLE OF CONTENTS DEGRADED GRASSLANDS AND RESTORATION METHODS.............................. 4-6 SPECIFIC RESTORATION OBJECTIVES ........................................................... 4-7 RESTORATION SUCCESS AND MONITORING................................................. 4-8 LITERATURE CITED ..................................................................................... 4-9 SECTION 5: COASTAL BARRIERS, BEACHES, AND DUNES..........5-1 DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................. 5-1 Coastal Barriers................................................................................................5-2 Headland Beaches ...........................................................................................5-5 VALUES AND FUNCTIONS ........................................................................... 5-5 STATUS AND TRENDS ................................................................................. 5-6 DEGRADED BEACHES AND RESTORATION METHODS ................................... 5-6 Structural Alteration.........................................................................................5-6