The Challenge
The forecasted climate change impacts that motivated this project include the change in intensity and frequency of extreme precipitation events, and the relative sea level rise increase projections for Massachusetts, which will result in increased pressure to our salt marsh ecosystems.
Project Alignment with ResilientMass Plan Priority Actions
This project addresses the following 2023 ResilientMass Plan and 2022 MA Climate Assessment Priority Impact: Coastal Wetland Degradation, and Loss of biodiversity, habitats, and native species due to climate change impacts in the Natural Resources Sector.
The project also aligns with the following 2023 ResilientMass Plan goals:
- Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
- Resilient State Assets and Services
- Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
- Climate mitigation
- Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities
Climate Resilience Project Scope
Assessments documenting and analyzing hydrology, existing conditions, watershed functions, and existing stormwater capacity will be paired with future projections for stormwater and sea level rise. These assessments will help identify mitigation and restoration actions, such as naturalizing the stream, managing stormwater, and improving hydrology of saltmarshes. This project started in 2023 and is ongoing.
In FY25, DCR leveraged previous year’s assessments and identified the following areas to advance coastal ecosystem restoration and documentation of nature-based solutions:
- Saltmarsh restoration – Sagamore Salt Marsh: Inspection of two culverts that service Bass Creek within the Scusset Beach State Reservation, expanded monitoring, and health assessment of the Sagamore Salt Marsh. These culverts, located under the Canal Service Road and Scusset Beach Road, were installed in 2000 as part of the Sagamore Salt Marsh Restoration Project. The project was initiated to restore the functions and values of the Sagamore Marsh that was degraded as part of the Cape Cod Canal construction in the 1930s. Filling of the salt marsh with dredge material resulted in the elimination of tidal exchange and subsequent marsh loss and promoted growth of invasive Phragmites australis. The 2000 project restored tidal connection to the marsh through the installation of the two culverts and dredging of the Bass Creek channel. Phase 1 in FY25 focused on culvert and salt marsh health assessments. Phase 2 will continue in FY26 with DCR capital funds. This project was not funded by ResilientMass in FY26.
- Preliminary design for salt mars runnels – Belle Isle Marsh Reservation: DCR identified a preferred restoration pathway for the reservation based on previous assessments and investigation of best practices from restoration practitioners around New England. In FY25, DCR worked to procure a vendor to carry out preliminary design for restoration at Belle Isle through runneling, habitat mounds, and ditch remediation. Given the relative novel approach, there was only one vendor qualified to carry out this preferred approach. DCR followed state procurement protocols and laws to set a contract in place. The work will begin in FY26 with ARPA 1.0 funding. Deliverables will include partner workshops and preliminary design for Belle and Rumney marshes. Pending future funding availability, FY27 next steps would involve permitting and implementation.
- Feasibility Study for phased retreat and ecological restoration of interdunal swale and coastal dune habitats – Demarest Lloyd State Park: The 2022 DCR Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment identified Demarest Lloyd State Park as one of DCR’s most vulnerable parks to sea level rise and coastal erosion. The park also provides critical habitat to several species like the state listed Northern Diamond-backed Terrapin and a listed endangered plant species. It is also a site of great significance for First Peoples. The park’s climate vulnerability, cultural significance, and rich biodiversity present an opportunity for DCR to evaluate climate impacts and explore retreat of the existing infrastructure to facilitate ecological restoration, improve park resilience, and realign the park experience with climate impacts. This is the first time the agency is embarking in a climate-based retreat feasibility study. This work was kick-started in FY25 with ResilientMass funding and will conclude in FY26 through federal funding. FY26 deliverables include a feasibility study report, archaeological sensitivity report, and phased retreat concepts. The current effort is a planning study only. No construction or additional phases are currently funded or scheduled. Contingent on funding availability and reaching a consensus with Tribal Nations and stakeholders around a preferred approach, future steps would involve pursuing separate design, permitting and construction bids.
- Nature-based Solutions – Case Studies: DCR is documenting four nature-based solution projects to create a library of Nature-based Solution (NBS) knowledge and use of climate projections into projects that can facilitate wider application of the practice agency-wide. This work was kick-started in FY25 with ResilientMass funding and will conclude in FY26 through federal funding. FY26 deliverables include NBS Standards of Practice improvements recommendations, as well as four Case Studies documenting best practices, data/tools used, and transferable knowledge.
- Climate-Readiness – West Region: Increased wildfire activity is forcing DCR staff to stay up to date on the latest and most effective techniques and equipment to effectively combat more intense wildfires and protect biodiversity in grassland habitats. Procurement of specialized equipment in support of DCR Fire Bureau to access difficult areas to combat wildfires will allow staff to target sensitive fire-prone ecosystems and intervene effectively when needed. DCR was able to procure a mini excavator with mowing attachments (these items were discussed and approved by the EEA Resilience Team)
Metrics and Results
Projects detailed in the previous sections are ongoing. While this action and the abovementioned projects did not receive FY26 ResilientMass funding, DCR can share final materials upon request. All projects are scheduled to be completed by the end of FY26.
Best Practices and Lessons Learned
Embarking on novel restoration approaches required due diligence to procure qualified vendors. A lesson learned includes starting earlier with procurement and anticipating a protracted approval window to avoid project implementation delays.
Further Action
All these projects will continue, and wrap-up by the end of FY26. DCR will continue to identify coastal ecosystems for assessments and restoration. Lessons learned from the Sagamore Marsh, Belle Isle, and Demarest Lloyd projects will inform future efforts.