2002 Wetland Reserve Program

Rhode Island Summary

Overview

The Wetlands Reserve Program is designed to restore and protect wetlands on private property. It is an opportunity for landowners to receive financial incentives to enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring marginal agricultural land. WRP also serves to provide fish and wildlife habitat, improve water quality, protect biological diversity and provide recreational opportunities.

Accomplishments

In 2002 NRCS entered into one agreement for the purchase of a 26-acre easement and the enhancement of a 10-acre wetland on the Barton Farm in the City of Warwick. The City of Warwick purchased the historic dairy farm to prevent it from being slated for development. This will be the first easement purchased in Rhode Island through the Wetlands Reserve Program.

NRCS continued the design and planning of several other projects in 2002 including the Walker Farm, a 20-acre salt marsh restoration project, and Cormorant Point, a 10-acre salt marsh restoration project.

State Contact:

Joseph Bachand
Resource Conservationist, USDA NRCS WRP Program Manager
60 Quaker Lane, Suite 46
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
Phone: 401-822-8818
Fax: 401-822-0433

Program Focus

Potters Cove pond and saltmarsh restoration project is located on Prudence Island in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. The project area consists of two tidal ponds (Potters Pond and a smaller basin) and contiguous salt marsh separated from Potters Cove by a stone and gravel causeway. Two 15-inch diameter culverts that extend through the causeway and once allowed tidal exchange were no longer functional. Both Potters Pond and the upper basin exhibit characteristics of severely restricted salt marshes, including reduced water quality, excessive filamentous algal growth, and invasion by common reed (Phragmites australis). With the support of the RI Department of Environmental Management, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and NRCS, plans are now underway to install an arch culvert under the causeway to restore tidal flow. Approximately 5 acres of salt pond and marsh will be restored by re-establishing tidal exchange to the two ponds. This is expected to substantially increase aboveground plant biomass and overall estuarine productivity of the Potters Pond salt marsh and to control Phragmites survival, growth and vigor in the upper basin. The increased tidal exchange is also expected to improve the quality of inter-tidal mudflat within the basins, providing suitable habitat for shellfish and foraging habitat for fish, shore birds and wading birds. Once restored, the pond will provide a suitable habitat and nursery for many species found in Potters Cove. The fisheries will be improved and wading birds will again feed in the pond. There will also be recreational, educational, and research benefits to the public. Noxious odors, which have emanated from the pond in the early morning during the Summer months, should be eliminated.

Rhode Island’s WRP Dollars and Contracts by Congressional District

Rhode Island WRP Dollars and Contracts (includes inactive or cancelled contracts)

Potters Cove, Salt Marsh Restoration

Location:

Potters Cove, Prudence Island, Portsmouth, Rhode Island

Owner:

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, (local Farmer owns an Easement across the marsh).

USDA Contact for Project:

Joseph Bachand, West Bay Service Center, Warwick, RI 02886, 401-822-8818

USDA Programs Involved:

Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)

Partners:

Save the Bay, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration(NOOA), Fish America, Narragansett Bay Estuary Research Reserve)NBERR, and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC)

Project Goal:

Restore an impounded 5-acre coastal pond to coastal marsh, improve access for native fish and wildlife, and maintain the marsh in native Spartina grasses.

Project Overview:

The NBERR is a state owned management area located on Prudence Island, Rhode Island. The island is accessible by the local ferry or boat. Potter’s Cove is a summer destination for many boaters from throughout New England.

Site Conditions Prior to Project:

The site includes a severely restricted 3-acre coastal salt pond and 3 acre salt marsh. Field investigation completed by NOAA, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and NRCS revealed ecological problems such as poor tidal flushing at the site. Obvious indicators of poor tidal flushing were observed such as: dense mats of filamentous algae throughout the pond, low fish diversity and abundance, and high organic substrate potentially caused by low dissolved oxygen. It was also noted that the salt marsh community bordering the pond has been affected by the restriction.

A stone and gravel road separates the pond from Potters Cove, an important finfish nursery habitat. The marsh was originally separated from Potters Cove sometime prior to 1939, when current residents say a farmer to gain access to crop fields constructed the causeway. Though RI Department of Environmental Management now owns the causeway and the current farmer has a deeded easement over the causeway. Therefore, removal of the causeway to rid the marsh of the restriction is not possible. Currently, two 16-inch diameter pipes are under the road, only one of the pipes allows flow into the marsh. Minimal tidal exchange is occurring, with levels of the pond fluctuating a maximum of 6 inches (on November 9, 1999) as compared to a tidal range in Narragansett Bay of 3.9 feet.

Additionally, it was noted that the culvert under the main road that borders the south end of the marsh is non-functional, thus preventing any tidal exchange to the upstream wetlands. This 0.5-acre area is dominated by Phragmites australis, a site that was dominated by Spartina alterniflora as recently as five years ago.

Practice Used:

Restoration and Management of Declining Habitats:

The natural hydrology will be restored so that the habitat can revert back to the natural condition.

Structure for Water Control:

New, properly designed culverts will be installed so that proper tidal flushing will occur.

Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management:

The project will be monitored for the duration of the contract by NBERR.

Problems:

None

Funding:

NRCS ($30,000), NOAA/Fish America ($12,000), CRMC, State ($5,000), Landowner/Town ($10,000 inkind)

Outcome Owner:

Citizens of Rhode Island can enjoy a restored marsh/wetland system.

Outcome- Environment

Ten acres of coastal wetlands is available to be used by native wildlife. Increase in fish production by restoring access to the marsh from Potter’s Cove.