Herring River Restoration Project “Return of the Tide” Concept for marsh level crossing at High Toss Road February 11, 2016 Council on Aging Wellfleet, MA

Tonight’s Agenda Welcome – Friends of Herring River Herring River Restoration Project Objectives of overall project and modifications at High Toss History of the restoration initiative and Herring River and marsh crossings at High Toss Importance of unrestricted tidal flow at High Toss marsh crossing Board of Selectmen review of High Toss crossing concepts ESS Group – Conceptual Design for Bridge & Marsh Level Crossing

Friends of Herring River Mission Conduct public education, awareness and outreach activities Administer grants and contracts Raise funds Promote the restoration and environmental vitality of the Herring River Estuary

The Restoration Project Objective: Restore the acre Herring River Estuary to a healthy and projective tidal salt marsh How: Remove existing restrictions in the river and its tributaries Manage controlled incremental return of natural tidal flow to and from the estuary. Why? Prevent ongoing degradation of the estuary Achieve ecological and social benefits

How is the work being done? Representing the project partners, the Herring River Restoration Committee directs planning and provides technical direction Partnerships provide support, funding, expertise, etc. Public participation in the planning process Friends of Herring River seeks funding, awards and administers contracts with private organizations and continues public outreach

Supporting Organizations Association to Preserve Cape Cod Cape Cod Conservation District Cape Cod National Seashore ** Coastal America Foundation Conservation Law Foundation Ducks Unlimited Friends of Cape Cod National Seashore Friends of Herring River Herring River Technical & Stakeholder Committees MA Bays Program MA Division of Ecological Restoration * MA Environmental Trust National Park Service Natural Resource Conservation Service * The Nature Conservancy National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration * Town of Truro ** US Geological Survey US Fish & Wildlife Service * Town of Wellfleet ** Wellfleet Conservation Trust * Herring River Restoration Committee ** Executive Council

Project Timeline 2016 – Final EIS, Record of Decision & MOU III 2016 – Complete permit ready designs 2016 / 2017 – Apply for and obtain permits 2016 / 2018 – Secure project funding 2017 / 2018 – Complete final design 2018 / 2019 – Begin construction

Major Project Elements Chequessett Neck Road Bridge & Tide Control Gates Mill Creek Dike & Pole Dike Control Gates High Toss Road Low-Lying Roads Private Property Other Tasks

History of Crossing Herring River at High Toss Road location Herring River was first bridged at High Toss to provide overland passage at low tide from Griffin Island settlement to Holbrook Neck This was the only dry (at low tide) crossing available from 1773 until the completion of the Chequesset Neck dike in 1909 Marsh level trail at High Toss remained “dry” throughout tidal range only after dike impeded full tidal exchange

Project Area Overview CNR Dike to be replaced Pole Dike Tide Control Structure High Toss Road Roadwork Mill Creek Dike

Existing Conditions Modeled Extent of Salinity Restored Conditions High Toss Road

Existing Conditions

High Toss Design Process February 12, 2015 – Public meeting to receive input on the important criteria for designing a crossing of the marsh at High Toss June 2, 2015 – Public meeting to present alternative concepts and receive public feedback June 9, Present alternative concepts at a meeting of the Wellfleet Board of Selectmen. o Selectmen vote to eliminate options B, C and D and directed Friends of Herring River to develop a marsh level crossing (Referred to as Option A+)

High Toss Design Process continued February 11, 2016 – ESS presents current Option A+ design for public feedback February 23, 2016 – Presentation of Option A+ and tonight’s public meeting comments to BOS Spring 2016 – Proceed with permit level design in accordance with BOS direction Resolution of outstanding technical and regulatory issues e.g. regarding accessibility requirements

Introduction of the ESS Group The ESS Group is the contractor for the design of the High Toss bridge & marsh crossing ESS has developed the concept being reviewed this evening in response to BOS request at June 9, 2015 meeting Craig Wood, ESS’s project manager will lead review of current design plans

Concept Design

Concept Design Boardwalk Plan View

Concept Design Boardwalk Elevation View

Concept Design Source: American Access Board Accessible Fishing Piers & Platforms Design Manual

Marsh Plane Subsidence