This page provides detailed information on a single example wetland restoration project that can help people better understand the details of project development and implementation. The focus project will be changed periodically in order to provide a range of examples.

Current Focus Project: Bridge Creek, Barnstable

Background

Located in the Town of Barnstable within the state-designated Sandy Neck/Barnstable Harbor Area of Critical Environmental Concern, the Bridge Creek project site consists of 40 acres of coastal wetlands that were altered long ago by the creation of two separate tidal restrictions. Well over a century ago, Route 6A and an adjacent railroad line were both built across Bridge Creek. The original culverts that conveyed the creek beneath the road and rail line were both undersized and failed to pass the full tidal range into upstream wetlands. The combined effect of these two crossings effectively cut off tidal flows from most of the upstream marsh and, over time, severely degraded the entire upstream aquatic system.

In 1996, the Army Corps of Engineers prepared a “Cape Cod Wetlands Investigation” on behalf of WRP, to identify and evaluate significant opportunities for salt marsh restoration. The Bridge Creek salt marsh was one of six priority sites selected for further evaluation of restoration potential. The investigation prompted WRP, local officials, and other restoration advocates to examine the feasibility of restoring this site. Initial assessments concluded that replacing the culvert under the active rail line was impractical due to the rail service disruptions and associated costs that would be required.

Then, in the Fall of 2001, a unique window of opportunity appeared in the form of a one-month repair closure of the railroad line scheduled for March of 2003. This provided only eighteen months to prepare Phase I of the project for construction – a very short development time for a project of this complexity. The short lead time combined with a narrow and inflexible construction window set the stage for one of the most challenging restoration projects ever undertaken in Massachusetts. Undaunted, the Town of Barnstable and WRP quickly swung into action, and Phase I was completed in the Spring of 2003. Old culvert view.

In order to realize the full restoration potential of 40 acres, project partners then turned their attention to Phase II: replacement of the remaining undersized culvert beneath Route 6A. This second phase of restoration required additional coordination above and beyond the tremendous partnerships developed for Phase I. Ultimately, over 38 groups and 84 individual partners joined together to see the project through to completion. In May of 2005, the new Route 6A culvert was installed, returning the full tidal range to the marsh for the first time in over 100 years. Old culvert view.

The Project

Restoration of the Bridge Creek salt marsh required the replacement of two culverts beneath Route 6A and the adjacent rail line. Phase I installed a new 10x10 foot concrete box culvert beneath the rail bed. Phase II replaced the Rt. 6A culvert with a second 10x10 foot culvert.

Right from the start, WRP and Barnstable officials realized that this project would require tremendous collaboration and support from a large group of partners and immediately began forming the project team. In the end, 38 different partner groups contributed to both phases of this project, including the Town of Barnstable, 5 federal agencies, 8 state agencies, 10 corporate partners, 6 non-profit organizations, and 8 private individuals or groups (see table of project contributors at the end of this page). In all, over $1.5 million dollars worth of funding and services was raised to complete this project.

The following list highlights the major project activities:

• Base-line monitoring of existing site conditions
• Field survey and hydrologic modeling
• Habitat evaluation and assessment of predicted habitat conversions
• Preparation of restoration design plans, specifications, and construction methodology
• Applications for 22 different design and construction grants
• Completion of 11 different applications for federal, state, and local permits and authorizations
• Deed research and modification of wetland restriction orders
• Community outreach and negotiations with landowners and abutters
• Organization and attendance of numerous public meetings and site visits
• Development of detailed construction bid package, review of bids, and selection of contractors
• Construction monitoring and oversight
• Post-construction monitoring and reporting
• Ongoing coordination of all partners and contractors during the 3.5-year project period

The overall goal of this project is to increase natural tidal flows to the upstream degraded wetlands (see image below). Replacement of the culverts has restored the dynamic tidal hydrology and water chemistry needed to bring back healthy salt marsh habitats and functions, along with the fish and wildlife they support. Phase I of the project restored tidal flow to 24 acres of salt marsh. Click here to view a hydrograph showing pre- and post-construction tidal ranges measured at the site. Phase II restored tidal flow to an additional 16 acres for a total of 40 acres under restoration.

A detailed monitoring program has been developed for the site. Pre-construction data for hydrology, vegetation, fish usage, and water chemistry will be compared to post-construction data that will be collected for at least 3 years after the project is complete. WRP will collaborate with the MA Division of Marine Fisheries, a private corporate donor, and dedicated volunteers through the Association to Preserve Cape Cod to collect and analyze the data. Changes to wetland conditions will be documented and evaluated in relation to project goals. If necessary, measures will be taken to address deviations of results from restoration goals.

Selected Examples of Challenges Faced

Many challenges (both expected and unexpected) had to be overcome for this project. Below are several illustrative examples.

Phase I

• Narrow eighteen-month development timeline and a one-month
  construction window with no flexibility
• Unanticipated design changes resulting from the need to install a sheet-pile coffer dam that increased costs and narrowed the construction window
• Timeline sequencing issues with securing grant funding, obtaining
  permits, complying with contract deadlines and initiating major supply orders
  (such as casting of the concrete culvert sections)

Phase II

• Coordination of three different utility companies to re-locate utility lines for culvert installation (overhead lines had to be temporarily moved to provide room for a crane to swing culvert sections into place)
• Closure of a major state road (Route 6A) to reduce construction time/costs while taking into consideration impacts on local business, seasonal traffic patterns, and potential loss of detour routes due to other planned road work
• Continuing need to raise funds and identify non-federal match to
  help leverage major federal funding opportunities
• Completion of construction and breakdown of detour prior to beginning of high-traffic season on the Cape starting with 2005 Memorial Day Weekend

Summary

With construction complete, the Bridge Creek project exemplifies what can be achieved in the face of adversity when project partners pull together to overcome major challenges. Even when the situation seemed dire and success uncertain, partners persevered and went the extra mile to ensure that project goals would be accomplished. Of all the lessons learned throughout this restoration effort, the most profound is the power and importance of partnerships for achieving project success.

Table of Project Contributors

Town of Barnstable Bridge Creek Project Web Page