FEBRUARY 2024 - NEWS FROM

FRIENDS OF HERRING RIVER

AND THE

HERRING RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT

ANNOUNCING A NEW HERRING RIVER

RESTORATION PROJECT VIDEO

The Herring River, Past and Future (8:33)

This video provides a thoughtful overview of the history of the Herring River in Wellfleet MA, the human-made impediments which have contributed to the unhealthy conditions in the estuary, and of the dynamic Restoration Project which is now in Phase 1 Construction. Watch and learn about the largest estuary and tidal restoration in the Northeast.

Presented by Friends of Herring River, this video was produced by Solano Film Collective and made possible by funds from Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

As with the videos released last November, this video includes closed captions (enable on your device), and there is a version which includes spoken audio descriptions.

Click HERE to go directly to FHR VIDEO webpage.

HERRING RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT

Updates

Work on the temporary bypass bridge at Chequessett Neck continues with the the road bed and railings complete and the utility conduits and manhole installation underway. Soon the utility lines will be switched over to enable functional use of the bypass bridge, estimated within weeks.

On other project elements, the geotechnical investigations, modeling, and final design work continues. Summaries and updates related to the project elements within the Cape Cod National Seashore continue to be available on their NPS Herring River Tidal Restoration Project webpages.

In the National News

Pew Charitable Trusts newsletter article, "How States Can Develop Blue Carbon Programs." (January 5, 2024) This article explains the concept of 'blue carbon' - coastal habitats where land meets sea and harmful greenhouse gasses can be sequestered for hundreds of years - and proceeds to discuss ways to protect, manage, and restore these vital ecosystems. The wetlands restoration at Herring River (estuary) is featured. Access the article here.

Historic Conservation Progress: America the Beautiful 2023 Annual Report (Biden-Harris Administration Initiative). In this third annual report which provides an update on locally led conservation and restoration efforts. See page 34 where the Herring River Restoration Project is specifically mentioned. Access the report here.

YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK

FHR’s Work

Our 2024 has begun with a flurry of activity as we work hard to manage multiple Herring River Restoration Project (HRRP) non-construction contracts and deliverables with long-standing vendors who are providing essential data, recommendations, and final designs. We have been focused on detailed permit applications, grant and financial reports, and on drafting budgets and grant proposals for additional funding for the extensive monitoring requirements of the HRRP. The Adaptive Management approach of HRRP is powerful and complex and we are helping to bolster its use.

Our small team is in full swing meeting with the Herring River Technical Team, funders, and community leaders. We are also working on our outreach calendar to make sure we can educate and engage folks in what is happening, and start to advance restorations elsewhere. Its a dynamic project and we are stretched thin, with sights on adding some more human capacity to do all the work that is needed for the HRRP, just as soon as we have the financial resources. Thanks again for your support - its essential!

Reminder to view the 4 videos we helped produce, on our website here.