The Herring Run
News and Information about the
HERRING RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT
April 2021
Herring River Restoration Advances With Filing Of Permit Applications
The Herring River Restoration Project took a major step forward with the recent filing of two environmental permit applications for Phase 1.
 
The Town of Wellfleet and Cape Cod National Seashore have submitted to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) an application for Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the Herring River Restoration Project, Phase 1. The permit seeks authorization for dredge and fill activities in Waters of the U.S. in the Commonwealth. The following link provides an application narrative including required forms, and appendices including a separate file of permit plans for each Class 1 project element. The public notice of the application, which is included in the application materials, was published in the Cape Cod Times and Environmental Monitor on April 7th, which commenced a 21-day comment period.
 
The Town of Wellfleet has submitted to MassDEP five Chapter 91 Waterways License applications for the Herring River Restoration Project, Phase 1. The license applications seek authorization for dredging and filling or structures located in tidelands (areas below Mean High Water).

Both applications are available on the Town of Wellfleet website:
https://www.wellfleet-ma.gov/home/news/herring-river-project
 
A permit application to US Army Corps of Engineers will be submitted this spring.
Coalition Unites Groups In Support Of Herring River Restoration Project
A new coalition of local, regional and national organizations is forming to support the Herring River Restoration Project. The coalition recognizes the significant benefits the restoration project will bring to the region and and the model it provides for restoring other estuaries in Massachusetts and America’s coast.

The Coalition to Restore Herring River Estuary is a broad-based network of environmental, scientific, recreational, economic and civic stakeholders. The Coalition is helping to communicate the vital need and extensive benefits of this project. The Coalition also serves as a network for sharing information about restoration science for education, stewardship and advocacy on behalf of Herring River and other coastal restoration initiatives. Coalition members will receive regular project updates and an invitation to participate in periodic events where project-related scientific information will be presented and discussed.

Many local organizations have already signed on, including Wellfleet and Truro Conservation Trusts, Eastham Conservation Foundation, Association to Preserve Cape Cod, Cape Cod Conservation District, Cape Cod Salties, and Center for Coastal Studies, among many others. The Nature Conservancy, Restore America's Estuaries, Ducks Unlimited and the National Park Conservation Association are among the national groups in the coalition.

For more information about joining the coalition, email info@herringriver.org.
2021 Palladino Fellowship Awarded
The 2021 recipient of the Donald Palladino Fellowship is Ben Fairbank. Ben is an ecological designer and Wellfleet resident. His fellowship project is entitled: “A Neighborhood Stormwater Assessment of Wellfleet Harbor Sub-Basins." The purpose of the study is to support the adaptive management approach to the Herring River Restoration and other conservation planning for Wellfleet Harbor.

The Donald Palladino Fellowship is awarded annually to a young scientist for research in the Herring River or Wellfleet Harbor. The fellowship was established to honor the legacy of Don Palladino, a community leader and founding member and President of Friends of Herring River.
Celebrate Earth Day With Beach Clean-up
Celebrate Earth Day by joining us in a Town-wide beach cleanup on Saturday, April 17. This event is sponsored by the Wellfleet Shellfish Advisory Board, Friends of Herring River, Wellfleet Conservation Trust, Lieutenant Island Homeowners Association, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and the Wellfleet Recycling Committee. Meet anytime after 8 am at Mayo Beach to pick up trash bags. Bring your own gloves. Friends of Herring River will be responsible for the Harbor and Bay sides of the Gut, the area around the Chequessett Neck Dike, and the Cape Cod Bay beaches from Bound Brook to the Gut. Trash will be returned to a DPW dumpster located at Mayo Beach.
Upcoming Spring Events
May is Celebrate Herring River Month
The Wellfleet Selectboard voted to designate May as "Celebrate Herring River Month." Stay tuned for information about upcoming events.

First Annual Herring River 5K Run (and Walk, Swim or Paddle)
Friends of Herring River will be holding our first annual 5K Herring River Run in May! This year, due to COVID-19, the run, walk, swim or paddle will be held virtually. To register visit https://www.active.com/running/virtual-events/virtual-herring-river-run-5k-2021.
 
Step into Spring: A Series of Guided Walks
We will be presenting a series of talks combined with socially-distanced walks this Spring. Topics include ecology of the Herring River estuary and problems created by the Dike; the Herring Run to the spawning ponds; ecology of diamondback terrapins; a history of Bound Brook Island and others. More information will be available in the next newsletter.
P.O. Box 565
South Wellfleet, MA 02663
508-214-0656