Beach Grass Plantings RFP Issued
Early in 2021, ACCA commissioned a study of erosion at the sand spit at St. Mary's. The consultants, Bryan Quinn, RLA, Restoration Ecologist, Principal at One Nature, LLC and Steven Danzer, Ph.D., PWS, Soil Scientist, and Principal of Steven Danzer, Ph.D. & Associates wrote a report in May 2021 that alarmed us. They informed us that their analysis showed that the sand spit could disappear within 15 years at the current rate of erosion and that Great Marsh Island had lost 25,000 SF of intertidal marsh over a ten year period.
We put together a presentation to get the word out to our members and the public as well as a public relations and thanks to Jon Fatigate, a social media campaign (www.saveourspit.org). This resulted in a series of in person and Zoom meetings from July through October of 2021. With the help of State Rep. Steve Stafstrom, City Councilperson, BRNRZ President, Scott Burns, and many others, we were able to meet with the right people at the municipal, state, and federal levels to raise awareness and begin to address the problem.
While the longer term restoration effort has yet to be addressed, we made significant progress on a short-term planting effort to prevent further erosion on the sand spit through an agreement to plant 42,000 plugs of American Beach grass. The cost will be split between Bridgeport and Fairfield. The plantings should be completed by March 2022.
The RFP was formally issued by the City of Bridgeport and is called "Sea Grass Plantings Ash Creek Sand Spit." The RFP was issued by the Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Town of Fairfield Conservation Department. It called for the planting of 42,000 American beach grass culms (Ammophila Brevilgulata) over the winter of 2022. All materials such as plants, fertilizer, and dune fencing will be provided by the contractor. The contractor must have five years of landscaping and habitat restoration experience. The deadline for bids is January 26, 2022.
Our focus for 2022 is to obtain grants for a new ten year Master Ecological Plan for the Ash Creek Estuary as our 2012 plan is outdated. This Master Plan has provided guidance to identify and prioritize our projects. It also provided a key cornerstone for the development of the Rooster River Watershed Plan. We would like to see the municipalities form a steering committee to manage the Rooster River Watershed in general and the Ash Creek tidal estuary in particular.
We will continue to work with the CT DEEP, MetroCOG, CIRCA, our legislators, the City of Bridgeport, and the Town of Fairfield on major restoration plans for the Ash Creek tidal estuary as well as modifications to dredging practices by the Town of Fairfield. The municipalities will need to work together to go after the large Federal grants that are currently available. Jon Uriquidi, City Engineer for the City of Bridgeport, has assured us that the City is looking into possible grants. We will keep you informed throughout 2022.