Rell Awards Funds for Area Tidal Wetlands Restoration Along Shoreline Connecticut

REGIONAL - Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell recently announced that the restoration of tidal wetlands in four shoreline towns will take place thanks to funds from the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service's, NRCS, Wetland Restoration Program, WRP.

Funds will allow the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, to restore 726 acres of tidal wetlands degraded by the invasive exotic plant Phragmites at three Wildlife Management Areas in the Lower Connecticut River region and at two state parks on Connecticut's coast.

Phragmites is an aggressive, invasive plant species which consists of tall, perennial grass growing in brackish, tidal fresh water and non-tidal wetlands.

Brackish marshes are those where salt water is more diluted with fresh water and are often located in the upper parts of estuaries.

Phragmites has taken over thousands of acres of marsh in Connecticut.

In the last 30 to 50 years, Phragmites has begun spreading at very high rates especially along the Lower Connecticut River.

Such growth has hindered the growth of native plant species and prevents the movement of animals such as ducks, shorebirds, and wading birds.

Money will be used to restore tidal wetlands in the Back River and Upper Island portions of Great Island Wildlife Management Area in Old Lyme, Plum Bank Wildlife Management Area in Old Saybrook, Silver Sands State Park in Milford, and Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.

"Connecticut has been awarded one of the highest levels of funding in the nation for this program," Rell said, adding, "The DEP will now be able to perform much needed wetland restoration at key locations in Connecticut. These dollars go a long way toward restoring tidal marshes that have been degraded by this invasive plant species. In addition to direct ecological benefits, tidal marshes are a critical buffer from severe storms and it is important to protect them."

DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, "Through the reduction of Phragmites in tidal marshes, the end result will be better protection and preservation of the valuable ecosystem and biological diversity at all these sites. Native vegetation and a wide variety of bird populations will be allowed to flourish and become re-established. Another benefit of wetland restoration will be the creation of scenic vistas and increased wildlife viewing opportunities for all visitors to enjoy."

Dr. Nels Barrett, an ecologist from NRCS, said, "Tidal marshes are dynamic ecosystems, subject to constant shifts in elevation and vegetation patterns in response to natural events and human influences. In spite of such changes, non-native invasive Phragmites is ubiquitous and monopolizing large portions of wetlands. To restore the former ecological integrity of these once exemplary marshes, the dominance of Phragmites must be checked which will allow for the re-establishment of the native biota."

Since 1997, the DEP's Wildlife Division, Wetlands Habitat and Mosquito Management, WHAMM, Program has been conducting Phragmites control at over sixty-six sites.