Long Island Sound
Habitat Restoration Initiative
Category: Submerged, Intertidal,
Wetland, and Upland
Cost: Two staff persons for two years, plus interagency cooperation
Description: With funding from the EPA LIS Office, the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation and the Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection are taking the lead in the effort with a number of contributing partners,
such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service,
new York State Department of State, New York City Department of Environmental
Protection, New York Sea Grant, New York City Dept. of Parks and Recreation,
Long Island Sound Study Citizens' Advisory Committee, and Save the Sound, Inc.
The Initiative is focusing on 12 habitat types: tidal wetlands, freshwater wetlands,
beaches and dunes, coastal grasslands, intertidal flats, cliffs and bluffs,
riverine migratory corridors, coastal and inland forests, rocky intertidal zones
shellfish reefs, submerged aquatic vegetation, and embayments.
Degraded sites were nominated through surveys mailed out to local governments,
not-for-profit groups, and citizens' organizations. Additionally, the states
of Connecticut and New York, and New York City independently identified known
sites of concern through interviews with agency staff and local scientists,
and aerial photo interpretation. Nine public meetings, attended by 201 persons,
were held around the Sound to 1) educate the public on habitat restoration and
build partnerships, 2) solicit input on the restoration strategy, goals, and
prioritization criteria, and 3) identify additional information on nominated
sites and nominate new sites. More than 450 sites were identified by this process.
The Initiative partners developed ranking criteria based on the potential ecological
values of the degraded sites (size of the site restored; benefits of the site
to trust species; potential to restore ecological functions; potential to restore
a diversity of plant and animal species at a site). Using these criteria, sites
were sorted into high-medium, and low priorities. Other important factors will
also influence the order in which sites are restored. These include the availability
of funding , presence of local partners, availability of basic knowledge about
the site, and status of site planning and design. The Initiative is also identifying
funds for restoration projects and restoration techniques, which will be summarized
in a series of technical manuals to be available in 2001.
Outcome: The Long Island Sound Habitat Restoration Initiative
has established goals to 1) restore the ecological functions of degraded and
lost habitats, 2) restore 2000 acres and 100 river miles of natural habitats
over the next ten years, and 3) use partnerships to accomplish the restoration
objectives and to leverage limited state, local, and federal funds. Of the more
than 450 sites that were nominated for restoration, more than 100 have been
identified as priorities. In addition, a memorandum of understanding was signed
in Septermber 2000 by participating agencies highlighting the roles and responsibilities
of each in contributing to the restoration program.
Since 1998, 33.4 river miles have been opened to anadromous fish and 593 acres
of habitat restored, putting the program on a pace to achieve its restoration
goals.
Contact: Lisa Holst, NYSDEC, 631-444-0469
Citation: Restoring Long Island Sounds Habitats, MOU Restoration of
Coastal Habitats of Long Island Sound.
|
