WETLANDS
RESTORATION PROGRAM REPORT 2004
The wetlands restoration program underwent several changes
in 2004, the largest of which was the hiring of a new Wetland Project Coordinator. The program has expanded its facilities and
now supports full surveying and mapping capabilities, a soils laboratory, and a
work truck. An extensive outreach has
been made to educate local and state agencies about the program, as well as to
improve working relationships between the state and the towns.
In addition to expanding our outreach, there has
been a large focus on internal education.
The field staff has been through seminars on legislation, environmental
concerns, best management practices for ditch restoration work, natural stream
morphologies and morphological processes, excavator safety training, and
chainsaw safety training. The staff is
committed to doing work safely, and with the least amount of impact to the
surrounding environment.
Wetlands restoration is an important part
of the CMMCP’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan for mosquito control. The intent of the program is to improve the
flow of water in degraded ditch systems through ditch maintenance and stream
restoration projects. These projects
will effectively reduce stagnant breeding sites, and can reduce or often
eliminate the need for periodic applications of pesticides.
Most wetland restoration projects start
with a phone call from a town resident or town official. On occasion, a member from the CMMCP staff
may identify a site that could benefit from a restoration project. Once a site is brought to the attention of
CMMCP, the Wetland Project Coordinator performs a full assessment of the
site.
The site survey includes soil sampling
to determine soil properties and to create subsurface profiles, as well as
taking transects and cross sections of the ditch. Wetlands are classified and sites are fully
documented in the pre- and post-construction states through a photographic
record. Any historical information on
the drainage system is obtained from local residents or town records. The
data gathered in the field is used in combination with information acquired
from maps and DEP wetland aerial photographs to develop a project site
plan. The site plan includes all of the
specifications that the field staff needs in order to properly perform a
restoration project.
Once the site plan is completed,
notification letters and permission slips are sent out to all property owners
who would be affected by the restoration work.
In addition to the letters sent to property owners, notification letters
are sent to DEP and the local conservation commission for all mechanized work
using a low ground pressure excavator.
The notification letter provides the agencies with a 30 day grace period
prior to commencement of a project.
During this time, the agencies have the opportunity to notify CMMCP of
any concerns that they may have with a project.
If there are legitimate concerns, a project may be modified, delayed or
abandoned. If no issues are brought to
the attention of CMMCP within the 30 day period the project will commence as
planned.
SUMMARY OF WORK FOR 2004:
In 2004, the Wetland Project Coordinator
looked at over 130 sites, out of which 110 were surveyed. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of the jobs were
brought to the attention of the Project through resident phone calls. Of the remaining sites, sixteen percent (16%)
were called in by town officials, and sixteen percent (16%) were identified by
CMMCP staff.
Additional information on our procedures
and techniques or on specific restoration projects can be acquired by calling
the CMMCP office at (508) 393-3055 from 7:00am to 3:30pm.