56Site ID:Rowley / NewburyTown:123.9Acres:NoRapid Technical Site Assessment:RestrictionFillAgricultureOtherCompleted ProjectMediumPriority:Site is the North Pool impoundment on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge that is owned and managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Over 120 acres of historic salt marsh at this location were altered when the Refuge created the impoundment and dike system to provide Black Duck habitat in the mid-1900s. This site, together with two other artificial impoundments to the south, make up the largest area of anthropogenic salt marsh alterations in the Great Marsh study area. The 1912 Coastal Survey shows the entire area as salt marsh contiguous with marshes stretching west to the Plum Island Sound waterway. Refuge managers have experience chronic problems maintaining this pool for its intended wildlife habitat use: primarily migratory duck habitat. The former management goal was to maintain open, fresh water habitat. Various management methods have not yielded positive results for the overall ecological integrity of the site. Invasive Phragmites dominate the vegetation within the emergent marsh areas of the impoundment. Significant assessment efforts have already been undertaken to collect baseline data and explore options to improve the site's ecological health and establish self-sustaining habitats that do not require intensive management over the long term. The Refuge continues to assess restoration options, but project developments are on hold pending the completion of the Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan in 2008-2009. Restoration actions could breach the dike in one or more locations to restore tidal flow and flushing to the site. Restoration potential is considered medium based on the current degraded ecological condition of the site, apparent lack of viable long-term options to maintain a healthy fresh water impoundment, and public ownership. Potential may be reduced by the documented presence of several endangered migratory bird species within the pool.Site Summary:Under DevelopmentImpact Type(s)StatusPotential Project
