Mudflat Restoration

THE PROBLEM

Over the past few years, the digging for sandworms in the Ash Creek mudflat has accelerated. There are now over a thousand holes in the mudflat from the diggers, because the holes accumulate. The mudflat can't restore itself (there is not enough water flow in the shallow areas).

ACTIONS

ACCA obtained permission from the Parks Department to rope off the area and put up signs stating this was a protected area. The diggers just walked around the roped off area, so this had no effect.

ACCA also met with owners of local bait shops and asked them not to buy sandworms from Ash Creek. Again, this was likely a low impact intervention, but it was something under our control.

MANY MEETINGS WITH THE CITY AND STATE

The City of Bridgeport Police have told us that they cannot enforce the law below the Coastal Jurisdiction line (basically the mean high tide mark, as that land belongs to the public and violations can only be enforced by CT DEEP. We had several meetings with CT DEEP, who told us they do not have the manpower to enforce the laws against mudflat destruction.

PROGRESS AT LAST

Finally, on June 27th, CT DEEP sent a letter to the City of Bridgeport Parks Department instructing them to repair the damage to the mudflat and prevent further damage.  CT DEEP holds the landowner responsible for damage and in this case, since it is park land, the City of Bridgeport is responsible to restore the area and protect it from further damage. 

The City blocked the split rail fence path to the area on the mudflat side and extended the split fence to the beach side. The Bridgeport Police Department requested “No Trespassing” signage and fencing to help them enforce the restrictions. The City put up No Trespassing signs on May 10, 2024 to protect the area from further damage while it is being restored.  This caused an uproar on a local Black Rock Facebook page due to some commenters believing that ACCA had illegally put up the signs and fencing on park land.  The misunderstanding was sorted out and the posts have been removed. 

The City planned to just plant Spartina, but ACCA hired LandTech to come up with a more biodiverse planting plan, which we submitted to the City and CT.  The estimated cost of the plantings were approximately $27,000. 

The City obtained approval for the plan, but before it could be implemented this Spring, two nor’easters caused more damage in January and April. There was significant erosion along the northern shoreline (as well as other areas of the Ash Creek tidal estuary). The City will be meeting with CT on July 17 to revise the plan to address the additional erosion issues.

With approval from the City Parks Department, ACCA hired LandTech to monitor the restoration process.  See CT DEEP Violation Letter, LandTech Recommendations Letter, and Ash Creek Restoration Table in More Documents section.