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Our Disappearing Sandspit
- The barrier spit at St. Mary's-by-the-Sea has been eroding, with a loss of 60 linear feet from 2006-2016. It is projected to disappear entirely by 2036 if changes are not made. - Fairfield's jetty, marina, and dredging activities since the 1950s have disrupted sand deposits and contributed to erosion of the spit and marshlands. - Rising sea levels from climate change are also a factor, as the marshland grows taller but cannot keep pace with rising waters. Restoration efforts have been ongoing but dredging activities continue to cause damage.
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Our Disappearing Sandspit
- 1. Our Disappearing Sandspit: Currentand Projected Changes to the Barrier Spit at St. Mary’s-by-the-Sea July 13, 2021
- 2. Overview • Areas ofErosion • Changes Over Time • Projected Future Changes • Areas Most Affected by Changes • Habitat Restoration & Destruction - 1950’s to Present • ACCA Actions & Responses • Next Steps
- 3. Aerial Views ofLower Ash Creek Video Courtesy of Barry Hyman
- 4. Simulated View ofLower Ash Creek in 2036
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- 7. Sand Spit Changes ScientificAnalysis Commissioned by ACCA 2021 Bryan Quinn, RLA, One Nature & Steven Danzer, Ph.D. • 2006-2016 loss of 60 linear feet • Predicted to disappear by 2036 • Stable from 17th Century until 1950’s • Loss of sand deposits due to Fairfield’s jetty and dredging for marina • DEEP allows Fairfield to take sand from dredging and put on Jennings Beach • 2019 dredging caused tremendous erosion
- 8. Sand Spit 2006-2016 60Foot Linear Retreat of 4’ High Edge of Sand Spit Over 10 Year Period
- 9. Great Marsh IslandChanges Scientific Analysis Commissioned by ACCA 2021 Bryan Quinn, RLA, One Nature & Steven Danzer, Ph.D. • Long-term loss of approximately 25,000 SF of intertidal marsh (aerial geographic analysis, 1991 vs. 2020) • May be due to increased wave action caused by reduction in size of barrier spit
- 10. 1909 Great MarshIsland (Palmquist, 1955)
- 11. 1951 Aerial View Viewof Great Marsh Island (Palmquist, 1955)
- 12. 1976 Aerial View Jettyand Marina Built, Dredging of Channel
- 13. 2019 Aerial View Photoby Geoffrey Steadman, 2019
- 14. 2036 Projected AerialView Photoshop edits by Gail Robinson of original aerial photo by Geoffrey Steadman
- 15. Flood Zone andStorm Surge Maps
- 16. Ash Creek 2036 •194 Black Rock homes at risk based on flood surge map • No attenuation of wave action, erosion of land, water pushed further inland • Destruction of spartina and rest of marshlands which acts as sponge, more flooding
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- 18. What Led toThis Problem? • Filling in wetlands and building on reclaimed land • Fairfield’s marina, jetty, & dredging since 1950’s • Natural events, such as Irene & Sandy • Rising sea levels from global warming – marsh land grows higher, but can’t keep up with the pace
- 19. What Can WeChange? • Filling in wetlands and building on reclaimed land • Fairfield’s marina, jetty, & dredging since 1950’s • Natural events, such as Irene & Sandy • Rising sea levels – marsh land grows higher, but can’t keep up with the pace
- 20. Fairfield’s Dredging • DEEP10 year permit allows Fairfield to take sand from dredging activities on the spit and put it on Jennings Beach • Granted in 2007 and 2014 • ACCA had requested in 2013 that the DEEP permit require the sand to be put back on the sand spit to no avail • 2019 dredging caused tremendous erosion
- 21. Sand Spit –Dredging 2019 Alarming Amount of Erosion from Fairfield’s Dredging in 2019
- 22. Habitat Restoration &Destruction in Ash Creek - 1950’s to Present
- 23. Town Boundary Changedin 1954
- 24. Major Dredging 1957& 1967 • Channel excavated to 70’ wide and 10’ deep at low tide in 1967 • Jetty caught the sand that would have come to Black Rock’s beach and retained it in Fairfield • Fairfield used sand from dredging for Jennings Beach
- 25. Staged Dredging 2007-2008 •Heavy equipment used to dredge channel from sand spit to save money • Flattened dunes, destroyed vegetation
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- 27. Habitat Restoration –2008-2009
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- 29. Bridgeport’s “Beach CleanUp” 2011 June 24 & 28
- 30. Bridgeport’s “Beach CleanUp” 2011 BEFORE - September 2010 AFTER – June 28, 2011
- 31. Irene - August2011
- 32. Irene – August2011
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- 34. Habitat Restoration -October 2011 On 10/6/11 the City planted: 300 containers of American Beach Grass 50 Beach Plum shrubs 50 Sand Cherry shrubs 50 Staghorn Sumac bushes Under order from the DEEP
- 35. Habitat Restoration Plan- 2011
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- 37. Ash Creek MasterPlan 2012 86 page scientific analysis & recommendations by Bryan Quinn, RLA of One Nature and Steve Danzer, Ph.D.
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- 40. Detailed Plan for HabitatRestoration - 2014
- 41. Detailed Plan for HabitatRestoration - 2014
- 42. Meeting w. Bridgeport& Fairfield - 2014
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- 44. Dredging Trends 2007 4,500cubic yards 2013 22,000 cubic yards 2019 32,000 cubic yards
- 45. Action Steps • Dredgingshould be scaled back. We don’t need deeper and wider dredging for bigger boats. • Sand should be put back on the sandspit when Fairfield dredges • Fairfield and Bridgeport should use federal funds for habitat restoration of the sandspit and use the habitat restoration plan from 2014 (updated version) • Ten year dredging permit is too long, five year dredging permit – reevaluate dredging based on health of tidal estuary
- 46. Who We HaveContacted TWO KEY PLAYERS: • Bill Hurley, Fairfield Dept. of Engineering – in charge of dredging • Sue Bailey, DEEP – approves dredging permit STAKEHOLDER: • David Brandt, Aspetuck Land Trust – owns half of Great Marsh Island – July 21 FAIRFIELD: • First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick, First Selectwoman Fairfield • Fairfield Conservation Commission – getting on next agenda • Fairfield Shellfish Commission BRIDGEPORT: • Steve Hladun, Bridgeport Parks Dept. • Bridgeport Parks Commission –getting on next agenda • Scott Burns, City Council & NRZ • Matt McCarthy, City Council • Mayor Ganim, Mayor of Bridgeport • Jon Uriquidi, City of Bridgeport Engineering • Joe Gresko, City of Bridgeport • Dan Roach, Mayor’s Office STATE: • Steve Stafstrom, State Representative
- 47. Who You CanContact Need to put pressure on DEEP, Fairfield, and Bridgeport Send e-mails to people on handout Thank you!