The view from above – an aerial tour of Hurricane Sandy recovery and resiliency sites: Day 5

I’m Rick Bennett, Regional Scientist for the Northeast Region. This week, I was part of a team that toured sites that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Each evening, I shared a little about what we saw, the projects on the ground and how we are working to ensure the coastline and the surrounding communities are #StrongAfterSandy. (Keith Shannon/USFWS)

The last day of our trip surveying Hurricane Sandy recovery and resiliency sites focused on the more than 112,000-acre Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The projects at the refuge will install, repair, or replace water control structures on some of the many ditches that have been dug throughout the refuge – some dating back to the days of George Washington. Increased control over water levels at the refuge will not only create a habitat more resilient to large storms, wildfires, and drought, but it will also help protect the city of Chesapeake and the Deep Creek community against flood events.

It was an awe-inspiring week, being able to see the scope and vastness of the projects that will help create a more resilient coast – benefitting so many communities along the way. It was also great to meet with staff and partners at the refuges and other project sites and see how dedicated they are to both the natural resources and the wellbeing of the residents that live in the surrounding cities and towns. And thanks to pilot Dale Fowler for giving us such a smooth ride!

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The view from above – an aerial tour of Hurricane Sandy recovery and resiliency sites: Day 4

I’m Rick Bennett, Regional Scientist for the Northeast Region. This week, I am part of a team taking to the air to tour some of the locations that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Each evening, I will be sharing a little about what we saw, the projects on the ground and how we are working to ensure the coastline and the surrounding communities are #StrongAfterSandy. (Keith Shannon/USFWS)

The first locations we looked at today were along the Maryland coast, more specifically in the Nanticoke River and the Pocomoke Sound.

The Nanticoke River is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, making it a vital avenue for species that support the region’s fishing industry. The river’s tidal marshes are being inundated with non-native phragmites, choking the river and degrading habitat for species – including American black duck. Treating the invasives will restore the natural hydrology of impacted wetlands. This will help support continued public hunting and fishing opportunities, and an emerging nature tourism industry in the town of Vienna. The invasive removal will also stem inland migration of marshes and keep water levels down during future storm surge, protecting nearby towns of such as Crisfield.

After flying over the sound, it was time to head further south to Virginia and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

Yesterday we looked at a living shoreline project at Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge, today we saw two more sites at Chincoteague where biologists are looking to construct 3,650 feet of living shoreline. Behind the living shoreline, two acres of oyster reefs will provide increased sediment uptake, nutrient removal, and water filtration – cultivating a healthier, more storm-resistant habitat. Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, its shorelines and its primary access road to the mainland; the enhanced shoreline will protect the main road through the refuge, safeguarding access in the event of future storm events.

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The view from above – an aerial tour of Hurricane Sandy recovery and restoration sites: Day 3

I’m Rick Bennett, Regional Scientist for the Northeast Region. This week, I am part of a team taking to the air to tour some of the locations that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Each evening, I will be sharing a little about what we saw, the projects on the ground and how we are working to ensure the coastline and the surrounding communities are #StrongAfterSandy. (Lia McLaughlin/USFWS)

Today started by flying over Cape May National Wildlife Refuge and surveying more of the New Jersey coast. We looked at beach restoration projects close to communities including Middle Township, where beaches are vital for wildlife and the state’s booming tourism industry – the fifth largest industry in the state by employment. In addition to providing recreational opportunities, these beach restoration projects will strengthen habitats that support an array of fish, wildlife and plants and act as buffers against coastal storms.

Then we moved further down the Atlantic coast to see the roughly 4,000 acres of coastal wetlands to be restored at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware.

Restored marshes at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge will provide benefits to several adjacent and nearby communities such as Milton and Milford in Delaware and create additional habitat for red knots, American oystercatchers, and piping plovers. The restored marsh will also improve the communities’ ability to withstand future storms and sea level rise, improve wildlife habitat, and improved access.

After Prime Hook, it was time to survey two more projects further south on the Delaware shoreline – one at Hail Cove on Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge and another at Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge.

An important stopover for migrating waterfowl, Hail Cove – part of Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge – is considered among the top five Maryland waterfowl areas. With the construction of 4,000 feet of enhanced shoreline that’s been planned for the site  – intended to reduce erosion from the Chester River – over 400 acres of marshland will be directly protected, stabilizing habitats and buffering nearby communities from storms. Incidental benefits of a neighboring salt marsh include storm surge protection, water quality improvement, fisheries production, carbon sequestration and wildlife related recreation.

“Living shorelines” utilize plants, sand, and a limited use of rock to provide shoreline protection and maintain valuable habitat. The 20,950 feet of living shoreline that will be constructed at Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge will dissipate wave energy and slow erosion, protecting more than 1200 acres of high tidal high marsh. This marsh is vital to the continued habitat health of Smith Island’s soft crab fishing industry and for protecting the villages of Ewell, Rhodes Point and Tylerton. The refuge supports one of the largest concentrations of wintering waterfowl in the Chesapeake Bay, as well as important habitat for fisheries and non-game wildlife.

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