421Site ID:EssexTown:4.7Acres:NoRapid Technical Site Assessment:RestrictionFillAgricultureOtherCompleted ProjectMediumPriority:Site consists of ~4.5 acres of salt marsh on private property west of the Essex River. GIS analysis indicates that this site was historically blocked or severely restricted from tidal exchange by a berm / stone wall constructed along the site's eastern edge. Remnants of this feature and stone wall can be seen in the low-altitude oblique aerial photo. A site visit was not conducted. The historic ditch network appears to have filled in long ago and does not drain water from the marsh surface. The primary creek exiting the site to the east is clearly clogged, especially in the vicinity of the berm / stone wall. The upstream marsh appears to be in a degraded condition due to chronic impoundment of water and saturated soils. Restoration actions would thoroughly clean out the old ditch network and remove the berm / blockage from the marsh surface to restore full tidal exchange and proper drainage of the site. Restoration potential is considered medium based on the relative ease of restoration actions needed to improve marsh conditions. The Mosquito Control District may be well-suited to conduct this restoration work.Site Summary:Under DevelopmentImpact Type(s)StatusPotential Project
